Chef Gaurav Sharma is the Director – Administration of the Institute of Hotel Management and Culinary Studies. He has been a pillar of IHMCS and has grown along in these years of association as an extraordinary and multi-faceted professional who is an expert in administrative, academic, and culinary fields. He holds a rich experience of 11 years with organizations like FCI, KK Royal Days, ITC Rajputana, Café Coffee Day, etc. He is a member of the Indian Culinary Forum, IFCA, WACS with a Master's in Hotel Management and a yellow belt in the Six Sigma Program.

When you joined IHMCS, what was your vision for the institute? 

“To contribute to the growth of institute through my skills and experience”

While I joined this college, at that time it was a small new institute with limited resources. I joined with the mindset to bring the best growth opportunities for college along with my personal expansion in terms of knowledge and skills. Over time we have grown and diversified. 

What are your roles and responsibilities?

“To manage daily operations and budgets among departments”

Being in this position, I need to manage administrative staff and also have to guide operating methods. I need to ensure the proper and effective disbursing of funds to departments so that they can function properly and smoothly. I also monitor budgets and help to improve inter-departmental communication. 

How was your experience with the Hotel Management industry and what makes it the best industry to work in?

“It was wonderful, and opportunities this field offers are limitless”

I am associated with the Hotel Management industry for the last 12-13 years. And trust me this industry is not only fulfilling my basic needs but also helps me to grow as a person with a positive attitude towards life. After armed forces, this industry is known for its disciplined work culture. Here we, as people get a chance to interact with people around the globe, which helps us to gain their potential character and virtue for ourselves. 

How does the curriculum of Hotel Management Courses ensure the best practices of the industry?

“It is backed by hands-on projects and latest technological courses”

The curriculum of our college not only focuses on the major departments of the hotel but also ensures the overall development of an Individual. We have included practical-based learning modules which help our students to perform hands-on projects and ultimately boost their subjects concepts. We also have inculcated courses on language, computer skills, fundamentals of entrepreneurship. And all this is prepared after rigorous analysis of industry expectations, hence best practices automatically come into the picture.

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What are some of the greatest strengths of your institute?

“Our approaches to provide the best education to our students”

At IHMCS, we focus on the overall development of our students. We have our own print media with the name “Connecting Elements” where students learn and sharpen their writing skills. Also, we have our own bakery house with the name “The Dough Craft” to expose them to real-time bakery operations, we arrange farm visits for them to make them aware of the organic farming techniques. We also have various clubs for various divisions like “Wine and Sprits Club, Culinary Club” to ensure extra technical inputs in our students. Therefore, our efforts towards our student’s development are our major strength and the soul of IHMCS. 

In your opinion, what are the differences between Culinary Studies and Hotel Management?

“Culinary studies is solely related to cooking methods while Hotel Management comprises of multiple activities at each level”

Basically, if we talk about Hotel Management, it includes the study of the entire activity that involves the operation of a hotel including the study of various departments like Room division operations, front office and housekeeping, food and beverage operations that includes F and B service and F and B production. It also includes the study of the other departments like sales, purchases and human resources, etc.

Whereas Culinary studies refer to the study of food along with the cooking and culture behind that food in detail. In one line, the art and science of cooking refer to culinary studies.

How do you establish a healthy relation and environment in your institute?

“Through crystal clear communication and team building activities”

To ensure healthy and cordial relations with everyone, I do follow certain team-building activities and exercises. I have provided an open environment for everyone to put forward their ideas and issues. They can also give their feedback on day-to-day operational activities. We motivate as well as appreciate our employees for the good tasks. Through this kind of open environment, I ensure to bridge any kind of gap that can come from ineffective communication among students, faculties and staff.

On what kinds of projects students are working upon through this program?

“They work for the college magazine and arrange events too”

We have involved our students in various projects and activities like planning themed lunches, managing institute cultural activities. They are also working as the content creator for our magazine. We also offer various types of industrial tours and ask them to submit the zest of their learning from those tours. This enhances their thought process towards the effective presentation of elements.

What do you think should be the Institute’s top priority over the next 5 years?

“To develop our students into future entrepreneurs”

We are committed to working towards the development and benefit of our students. Hence we should focus more on achieving this goal by bringing more learning opportunities for students in terms of learning, research projects, internships and training programs. Lastly, we should prioritize transforming our students into great leaders and Entrepreneurs.

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Any suggestions which you would like to give to the current youths and aspiring students?

“Trust yourself and don’t run behind others rather develop your own path”

My suggestion to them is that have faith in yourself, don’t get so much influenced by what others are doing. Discover your own strengths and polish your skills to develop solutions to some real-world issues. Work hard, have patience and you will go a long way.