My next guest on today's episode is going to make you feel hungry as he takes all of us on a gastronomical and fun trip down the memory lane. I am pleased to have a conversation with Jaydeep Mukherjee, also known as JD, in the food industry.
An alumnus of IHM Mumbai, Jaydeep started his career as a trainee chef at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. It was at the Zodiac Grill – then considered the premium European food restaurant in the country – where he mastered the principles of fine dining cooking. A long and splendid spell on board the iconic luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2 followed a few years later.
In 2002, he took on the mantle of Chef de Cuisine, then that of Executive Chef and finally Corporate Executive Chef of deGustibus Hospitality, the maverick company gave the country the iconic Indigo and rewrote the rules of fine gastronomy in Mumbai. In the 16 years spent with the company, Chef JD was instrumental in opening every new restaurant owned and operated by DHPL. From the iconic Indigo to the super popular Indigo Delicatessens, the limited service and casual D:OHs, to the very traditional Indian restaurants Neel, Tote Bar and Banquets, and also their premium outdoor catering division Moveable Feast, JD designed both outstanding food across cuisines and genres and also stellar hospitality.
While at deGustibus, JD started and headed social outreach programs with the Salaam Baalak Trust, an Indian non-profit that provides support for street children, and SPJ Sadhana School, an academic institute and resource center for training people with autism and special needs. He has mentored many young chefs from both institutions on structured training programs and is very happy to share that a lot of his mentees are professional chefs today – some still at deGustibus, and many with other restaurants of repute.
In August 2018, Chef JD joined Impresario Handmade Restaurants as Brand Head for the decade-old Smoke House Deli and was instrumental in revamping the brand into a fresh new avatar. From refreshing the menu to introducing new techniques and styles of cooking, JD has even kickstarted the Goodness To Go vertical that will focus on healthy, organic food, freshly made for patrons to grab a quick meal.
A man of varied interests, JD is an avid traveler and biker, a talented photographer, and a reasonably skilled musician, but yes, the kitchen remains his first love.
Excellence in hospitality is all about an eye for the little details, and that is what JD holds dear after having spent many fun years in the industry.
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