Chef Nitin Minocha has been appointed as Executive Chef at Taj Pamodzi Hotel, Lusaka in Zambia. Prior to his new assignment, he was serving as Executive Sous Chef at Taj Santacruz hotel in Mumbai. A veteran in the culinary space, Chef Nitin has consistently set industry benchmarks to high standards of fine dining. He has completed various training programs in relation to time management, team building, staff motivation and customer service. He also won many accolades and awards. Nitin is known for self-driven with key focus on five essential parameters, Revenue, Cost Control, Guest Satisfaction, Employee Satisfaction and the overall vision of the management.
As an Avid Gourmand, his Forte is Flavor Fusions, Food Styling and Extensive Research and Development in Food without boundaries. He has been blessed with travelling globally and training extensively under different Michelin Chefs. During his tenure at The Taj Mahal Palace, work of Legendary Chef Anton Mossiman and Chef Mark Gregory continued to inspire him. His most memorable event was representing India and earning the participation Diploma at the culinary Olympics IKA (Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung), Erfurt, Germany 2008.
Beginning of culinary journey:
Chef Nitin’s gastronomic Journey commenced with winning the All India Chefs Competition in Year 1995, under the esteemed guidance of his teacher Chef Vernon Coelho, of IHM Mumbai. After Joining flagship Taj Mahal Palace and Towers in Mumbai, he successfully finished two decades under his mentor, Chef Hemant Oberoi and moved on to Taj Santacruz hotel. The Golden period with the Taj hotel, witnessed him maturing his Knowledge of Food Science and Skills of Evolving French Gastronomic Art, at the Signature French Restaurant Zodiac Grill, for over a decade.
He survived 26/ 11 Terrorist Attack:
On the fateful night of 26/11/2008, terrorist attacks in Mumbai at Iconic Taj Mahal Palace hotel, chef Nitin got Multiple Bullet injuries on his left hand. It was a horrifying night which can’t be erased from his mind. On fateful day 10 terrorist carried out a series of bomb blasts and attack in The Taj Mahal hotel. He believes, his second life is God’s gift. During the terrorist attack he helped many guest’s to move them to safe place. He was fortunate that he is survived the terrorist attack. But his many colleagues lost their lives that included Chef Vijay Banja, Chef Kaizaad and others. Despite taking many bullets on his hands and seriously wounded, he made all guests escaped from terrorists as a call of a duty.
Grand Lobby of Taj Pamodzi Hotel, Lusaka Zambia
Educational achievements:
A hard-core Delhi boy, Nitin did his basic schooling from Army School in Dhaula Kuan in New Delhi. Army school learning made him well disciplined and well articulate. As culinary education was calling him, he joined India’s prestigious Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Mumbai 1995batch. He also completed his graduation (BA) from Delhi University.
Collective Wealth of Advanced Learning:
At his stint with at Taj Mahal Palace, he was periodically sent to various international destinations to enhance and sharpened his culinary skills. His exclusive learning includes Harvard University, Haute Cuisine course. Cornell University: Honor code certificate, Masters Certificate in hospitality Management, Restaurant revenue management, Hospitality Management and Food Service Management. American Hotel & Motel Association: Food& Beverage Management with Honors, F & B Service, F & B Control, Hospitality Supervision, Quality Sanitation Management and Food Production Principles. American hotels & Lodging Educational Institute: Food Safety Course, Leadership & Management in the Hospitality Industry and Food Safety with the HACCP System – 245.2. Wine Spectator School USA: Completed ABC’s of Wine. Besides, he has completed many courses and recipient of numerous educational assets from TATA Group and IHM Mumbai periodically. Chef Nitin Minocha also received an award from Ratan Tata, former Chairman of TATA Sons.
Awards and International exposure:
Chef Nitin has received many accolades’ and awards that includes long service award of Taj Hotel that was handed over to him by Ratan Tata, Chairman of TATA Sons. He has participated in many overseas assignments. Prominent amongst them are Participation in Make in India Initiative at the Hannover – Germany. Participated and cooked in The World Gourmet Summit -2005, held at Las Vegas, participated and cooked in The “World Gourmet Summit in Singapore, cross trained in London and Paris under various Michelin Star chefs for the period of a quarter. He also participated at the IKA culinary Olympics, Germany. He is a brain behind working on the concepts and presentations for fine dine Lufthansa Airlines Menus in Germany.
On his appointment as Executive Chef at Taj Pamodzi Lusaka in Zambia Chef Nitin, said “I am delighted to join as Executive Chef at Taj Pamodzi Lusaka in Zambia. I’m humbled to have this opportunity and look forward to the success of the team. It gives me a great platform to put my gastronomical skills to use and an opportunity to complement my cooking skills in line with international food standards the hotel is known for”.
Nitin adds “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to such an incredible property. I’m also looking forward to continuing to build upon this strong foundation, contributing to the next chapter, by creating energizing experiences for each and every guest. I am excited to take up this new challenge and work with the new team here to keep the magic going on in the kitchen”.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
