“When I entered the hospitality industry, I had no idea how much it would impact my life. Growing up in West Bengal, I came from simple beginnings but had big aspirations. I completed my Bachelor’s in Hotel Management from Punjab Technical University (1999–2002), which laid the foundation for my career.

In 2004, I took up restaurant training and bartending in Mumbai. I worked at a restaurant in Juhu by day and attended evening classes at Colaba under Sadhana Madam. I never missed a session, thanks to the support of my boss, Mr. Gaurav Surana.

That same year, I was named Student of the Month in Opportunities Today magazine. I told my mother, but she passed away the next month before she could read it. That moment taught me the importance of expressing our love and gratitude while we can.

Before hospitality, I was a district-level cricketer. Though I didn’t pursue it professionally, the lessons of discipline and teamwork have stayed with me.

I began as a trainee waiter at Daspalla Hotel, Visakhapatnam, eventually becoming head manager. My father, a government employee at Durgapur Steel Plant, taught me the value of hard work.

Later, as GM at The Class Hospitality in Mumbai, I focused on guest interaction. One guest, Professor Cyrus M. Gonda, even mentioned me in his book Seal the Hole in the Bucket. There were tough moments too—like taking full responsibility for an expired sauce bottle. It reinforced how crucial accountability is in leadership.

After 15 years in the industry, I moved to Hyderabad in 2021 to teach at a Hotel Management Institute. Mentoring students became a meaningful part of my journey. I also create F&B content and conduct training across India. Today, I’ve built a community of nearly 100K on Instagram and more across YouTube and Facebook.

I’ve published an e-book, Service with Smile, capturing lessons from team management to guest service. I’m grateful to my parents, my wife Anuradha, and son Aayansh. This journey has taught me: empathy, respect, and consistency matter—in life and in hospitality.”

– Tarakeshwar Rao, Founder, Service Nexus