By Rashmi Pradhan

THE HOSPITALITY industry is emerging as a lucrative career option for the young generation. Moreover, the F&B segment is being perceived as a promising career option by young entrepreneurs and as mainstream career path. The business session, ’Emerging Career Opportunities for F&B Professionals: It can’t get any better’ witnessed panelist including Arjun Sharma, Chairman, Select Group; Sumeet Yadav, CEO, Nando’s India; Ad Singh, Managing Partner, Olive Bar & Kitchen; Zorawar Kalra, Founder & Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. and Saurabh Khanijo, Director, Welgrow Hotel Concepts. The session was moderated by Samir Kuckreja, Founder & CEO, Tasanaya Hospitality.

Speaking about his journey, Kalra said, ’The Indian F&B industry is 24 times bigger than Bollywood.’ It was easy to attract the young talent as I had a legacy built-up by my father Jiggs Kalra. Our attrition rate is low as I believe that pay better and you can get good talent. Retaining a talent is harder than attracting the talent.’ Sharing his experience while setting up and establishing Nando’s in India, Yadav said, ’The supply chain was a challenge. Since Nando’s was a new entrant in the Indian market it was a challenge to get people. Also right kind of people to serve the food in the restaurant is important. Now, the F&B industry is opening up for right reason.’ At Select Group, Sharma said, ’When we started the mall F&B (food court) was 10% of the entire mall space. As the business grew we realized that food court is an integral and important of the mall and that the space needs to be increased.’

Advising the young F&B professionals, Singh said, ’I started my business with a conscious. I would like to advise the young entrepreneurs that in before starting an own firm, work with a company or take up franchise of QSRs. The F&B is increasingly playing an important role and have great opportunities in malls, hospitals etc.’

The Author is Assistant Editor at BW Hotelier.

Photo: AD Singh, Managing Partner, Olive Bar & Kitchen speaks during his panel discussion. Photo: Sanjay Sakaria.