Try and Try Again to Succeed

AMIT KUMAR Dash, Executive Chef of Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel, was a reluctant candidate at his hotel management course. It was only later that he realised he had a knack for hospitality.

Dash, a native of Sambalpur, Orissa, has 13 years of experience in the industry. An average student whilst in school, he confessed, when he first joined his hotel management course, he didn’t understand the complexity of what was being taught.

“I joined International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) Kolkata in the year 2001. Initially, I was disheartened as I didn’t understand the culinary terms used in the course. My dad wanted me to give it a second chance and I worked hard and got good marks in my second semester,” he added, saying this was when things started to look up for him.

Dash completed his diploma in Hotel & Catering Management and went on to hone his craft in the kitchens in the likes of Courtyard by Marriott at Mumbai International Airport, Courtyard by Marriott at Gurugram, The Taj Connemara and ITC Hotel Park Sheraton Towers in Chennai.

The world is getting more and more technology-driven as is the culinary field according to Dash who said, “We not only put emphasis on cutlery or crockery but on the overall presentation of food, we have also introduced new techniques such as molecular gastronomy in our kitchen.”

The diligent chef has been honoured with multiple awards. He started his career as a Commis Chef in 2004 at ITC Hotel Park Sheraton Towers in Chennai (now known as Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park) and became the Executive Chef at Courtyard by Marriott, Gurugram in year the 2014.

Dash has specialised in Indian Cuisine and is currently handling a roof top restaurant called Zega at Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel. Speaking about his future plans he said he was planning to re- launch the coffee shop in the hotel, called Feast. Dash concluded by saying that he is looking forward to ultimately open his own restaurants.