India's F&B On Ventilator

Author’s Note – Archit Singhal

This book is a summation of my 10 – year experience operating in the food and beverage industry and how the industry has evolved over the last decade, accompanied by personal experiences. It explores how one of the largest employers of unorganized labor is undergoing a period of stagnant growth, where wealth is being accumulated in an uneven manner. The hospitality industry remains one of the most underpaid and selfish sectors, where the majority of employees have experienced minimal salary growth amidst an environment of increasing work hours and rising inflation. Despite being an avid reader and book collector, I have yet to find a single book in any bookstore or library that addresses the current affairs of this industry comprehensively.
India is at the forefront of rising disposable incomes, and the middle class is increasingly venturing out and developing a palate for global cuisines. However, without a proper infrastructure of hotel management colleges and updated courses, students graduating from IHM colleges struggle to cope with the evolving demands and trends of the hospitality industry. A significant portion of students tend to join the lower echelons of the hotel industry or change their profession altogether after failing to receive the respect they anticipated from their intellectual pursuits. Most current employees working in the hospitality sector remain unskilled, with many migrating from smaller towns to urban areas in hopes of securing a stable career.
This book serves as a reality check, shedding light on the looming issues within our vibrant and ever-growing industry. It is a valuable resource for anyone planning or starting a career in the F&B industry or for those currently working or associated with the sector, offering insights and highlighting gaps to help individuals reach their full potential. This work is born out of frustration over long-standing issues that have been consistently ignored by industry players, despite my efforts to bring them to the forefront. There is a lack of clear leadership guiding the industry, as everyone is engaged in a battle for survival. A range of issues will be highlighted across various sectors involved in food and beverages. In the first 15 chapters, I will discuss different gaps in the F&B sector that are affecting the industry on a larger scale and suggest solutions at the end of each chapter to help us evolve into one of the most respected and profitable industries.
There is an urgent need for reforms in our industry, as a significant portion of the workforce is enduring difficult times, which will soon take a toll on their mental and physical well-being. Every individual working in the service industry is engaged in a demanding job that requires great resilience and discipline on a daily basis. I salute these warriors. This book is a plea for everyone to be the change they wish to see, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders in the long run.