Mr Gagandeep Singh, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Agra shares with The Yum List a little about his journey in the industry and some interesting stories from behind the scenes.
What do you do and how did you get into the industry?
Getting into the industry was quite straightforward for me. I joined hospitality as a trainee. And there has been no looking back thereafter, as I realized that this is where I belong. From being an introvert to reaching where I am today, this industry has taught me everything.
Share with us an interesting story from behind the scenes.
When I was a trainee with the kitchen team, I was asked to make an omelette. I ended up making at least 20 omelettes and none of them was perfect. So my chef in charge made me eat all those 20 omelettes as it was his policy to eat the food if it’s not perfectly prepared. Thankfully the 21st was perfect and then after I was one of the main chefs making omelettes at the restaurant.
What’s the best/ worst part of your job?
I totally love my job. The word worst doesn’t exist in my dictionary actually.
What’s your favourite experience at Courtyard by Marriott Agra?
Dining at our Indian Specialty Restaurant Anise is definitely my favourite experience at Courtyard by Marriott Agra. The vintage delicacies like fragrant kebabs, aromatic curries and authentic live stations prepared using timeless recipes, the amazing Live performances and the beauty to dine under the stars is magical.
What’s one of the scariest things you’ve seen behind the scenes?
The scariest thing behind the scenes I have seen is a fire in the LT / Electric control room.
The perfect day off would be…
… spending time with my family and reading books
A day in the life of a GM is…
I normally dedicate 20% of my time on emails, 20% on the floors, 40% with my team and 20% on planning.
What do you do for fun?
I run, play, read books and indulge in outdoor activities.
What’s something you’d like guests to know about Courtyard by Marriott Agra?
This is a perfect family getaway destination in Agra to relax and indulge in a host of activities. The food here is the most talked about in the city with innovative cuisines by our culinary experts.
What’s your favourite food and wine pairing?
Seabass infused with Pernod with vegetables on the sides accompanied by Pinot noir.
What’s your view on the hospitality scene in Agra?
Agra is the city of love, the city of Tajmahal. We see a lot of tourists in the city throughout the year. For localities, there once were limited options in the city but the city is changing and a lot of new options are in the pipeline.
What’s in store for you in the upcoming months?
We are planning on building one of the largest banquet spaces in Agra. We are also entering the summer months where we would witness the shift from international to local tourist segments. One of our key focuses in the upcoming months is also weddings.
Read about our stay at Courtyard by Marriot Agra here.
“The word worst doesn’t exist in my dictionary actually.” That’s the attitude everyone should have, think positive, always look on the bright side.
20 omelettes? It must have been a challenge…
20 omlettes? It must have been a challenge
Really interesting post) Thanks a lot for sharing)
Love these interviews and it sounds like he really enjoys his job especially if there are no ‘worst’ things 🙂 Cheers Diane