Chef Thimmayya PK - In pursuit of excellence

 In pursuit of excellence

For Thimmayya Ponnalathanda Kuttappa many things that happened in his life were a series of coincidences, which like a jig-saw puzzle, fell into place, along with the passage of time.

Growing up in a family, in which his father came from Coorg while his mother was from Andhra Pradesh, Thimmayya had more or less sorted out his life when he enrolled in Loyola College, Chennai for his graduation in Physics! But there were other plans that lay waiting for him.

His father suggested that he should try his hand in Hotel management and soon, Thimmayya started walking his way through what is now called the CIT campus to locate the Institute of Catering Technology in Taramani. He duly filled in the form, as he could not say no to what his father had asked him to do. The year was 1974.

Soon, Thimmayya was a student at the Catering College as it was known then. After having completed his course in 1977, he began to look for jobs. That came his way when he was working in Ashoka, Bangalore. A chance mention about opportunities in IHM Bangalore, and soon he was facing an interview board led by Culinary legend, Thangam Philips.  After the interview, while trying to rush for a movie on Brigade Road, he was called back for a second round and before he knew it, he had a job at IHM, Bangalore.

But, fate had plans for Thimmayya, and he was told about an opportunity in IHM, Chennai, his Alma Mater. The temptation to get back to his home-town of Madras was all the more a reason to apply for an opening at IHM, Taramani. He did well in the interview and soon he had the offer from IHM, Taramani. But, he had not factored the rules and regulations while applying for a govt job, while already working in another govt institution.

The Principal of IHM, Bangalore threw a fit, questioning how he could apply at IHM Taramani without taking his permission, first. But, that problem was sorted out and soon Thimmayya was at IHM Taramani designated as Assistant Instructor for all subjects. A few months down the line, he was asked to teach the final year students all about the world of cookery. Now, for a rookie in the teaching field that was something of a challenge. But, for Thimmayya sir as we students call him, it was an opportunity to be worked out.

Thimmayya sir was a quick learner even when he was doing his internship at Taj Coromandel, one of the new age five star hotels in Madras. He was an eager student who wanted to learn from real time experience in a hotel. Ever a willing learner, he began to learn the intricacies of working in a kitchen, which tested the next or battle hardened professional.

Ask him what differentiates students from his days to the present, Thimmayya sir has a straight-forward answer. The urge to learn which was seen in the earlier batches has given way to students somehow trying to complete the 3 year degree course.

Of course, his favourite example as always, is about how to make Mayonnaise - which today's IHM student would tell you is available in the supermarkets. Why break your head trying to separate a slippery yolk from a fast draining white of an egg? Just buy it from the supermarket.

In between his innings at IHM Taramani, he was also tasked with setting up an IHM at Thiruvananthapuram - from start to finish in just 65 days.

After having taken voluntary retirement from IHM Taramani, he began his second innings in the industry at Ramoji Film City, in Hyderabad, overseeing the huge operations across numerous hotels, food and beverage outlets and banqueting facilities at what is touted as one of the largest film cities in the world.

While this may seem totally different from teaching Chef Thimmayya as he is still called by his students, life is all about learning.

Despite thousands of students who are graduating from over 30 plus institutes across the country, many of those qualifying do not want to work in the hospitality sector.  According to Thimmayya sir, this makes getting a talent pool of professionals to run a hotel, a real challenge.

Despite being on the right side of sixties, Thimmayya sir, still looks young, despite the mandatory grey hair. Never short of energy and enthusiasm, Thimmayya sir's life is an example of a never say die attitude. Participating in Marathons is his hobby and if it wasn’t for Covid he would not have come down from 10 kms to 5 kms that he does now.

Thimmayya Ponnalathanda Kuttappa, batch of 1977 and Ex Faculty at IHM, Chennai