Sonali Bahri - Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the Stars

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the Stars

Sonali Bahri

My journey in the hospitality industry started long before I graduated from IHM, Shimla. The interest had been triggered right when I was a young, curious mind and observed my father, Inder Bahri, who was then the Principal at IHM, Chennai. 

I grew up taking it all in - from croissants to casseroles, and hors d'oeuvre to hash browns. My father had spent a few years training in the UK as well, and so the thoughts of following in his footsteps had started weaving stories of their own.

Although female chefs were not commonplace back in the day, my determination to achieve my dreams had not wavered.

I moved to the UK in 2004, after a well-enjoyed stint in continental cuisine at Chola Sheraton, Chennai.

I had the pleasure of working with the Hilton and Marriott hotels for 6 years after I landed in London. These were my formative years, and the experience was incredible, to say the least.

My time as Chef at British Airways was another exceptional learning experience. Kitchens that were always buzzing with activity seemed overwhelming at the time. In retrospect, those were moments of intense learning and acquiring knowledge.

Working at the Michelin-star fine dining restaurant, Amaya, was the next step of my hospitality journey. What can one say about working in a place that has been recognized for its excellence in the culinary world? The stakes were higher, as were the standards, but nothing comes in the way of skills and passion.

I continued to gain more experience in different establishments, from upmarket restaurants to traditional joints very true to the British heritage.

The hospitality sector is a top-ranked industry contributor in the UK, and this reflects in the millions of trained professional chefs that are hired regularly. There's a place for every type of cuisine in the UK, such is the greatness of its diversity and culture.

However, the requirements remain the same - regardless of the place of work: being open to learning and improvising, being able to work under pressure and going the extra mile, being efficient and getting things done as a team, and having fun along with it!

I’ll close with a quote by Norman Vincent - “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars”.

Wishing everyone the very best for their future!

Sonali Bahri