At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this, we invited Pramod Reddy for an exclusive interview with us. He is an Entrepreneur and Founder of Book My Chef. Let’s learn more about his incredible journey, background, and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Pramod;
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur, please;
My background actually lies in the events and hospitality industry itself. I started my career as an event manager with DNA Networks and soon turned entrepreneur with a franchise of an international ice cream brand and then ventured into stand alone restaurants and catering. Over time, I noticed a recurring challenge in the industry – the difficulty in finding skilled, reliable hospitality professionals for events, especially at short notice.
This realization sparked the idea for BookMyChef. Me and my Co-founders Varun and Shankar Chef, wanted to create a platform that not only addressed this challenge but also empowered talented chefs, bartenders, and caterers to showcase their skills and find opportunities more easily. With this vision in mind, we embarked on the entrepreneurial journey to build BookMyChef.
It wasn’t easy, of course. Like any startup, we faced our fair share of challenges – from building a user-friendly platform to bringing the right team on-board while attracting both clients and professionals. But through perseverance, hard work, and a dedicated team, we were able to overcome these obstacles and gradually grow BookMyChef into the exciting and one of the most talked about platforms it is today.
Along the way, we’ve learned valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of adapting to market needs. It’s been an encouraging journey, and we are proud of the positive impact BookMyChef is making on both clients looking for top-notch hospitality services and professionals seeking opportunities in the industry.
Pramod and Chef Shankar with guests at a Chef’s table
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
While a corporate career offers stability and structure, entrepreneurship appeals to me for several reasons.
Firstly, entrepreneurship allows us to pursue our passion and creativity in a way that a corporate career might not. Building something from the ground up, like BMC, has been incredibly fulfilling and has allowed us to make a tangible impact on an industry we are passionate about.
Secondly, entrepreneurship offers a level of autonomy and freedom that can be hard to find in a corporate environment. I have the flexibility to make decisions, pivot when necessary, and chart the course for BMC’s growth according to our vision.
Additionally, entrepreneurship comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. The thrill of overcoming obstacles, the constant learning and growth, and the potential for significant financial rewards are all aspects that attracted me to this path.
Overall, while a corporate career certainly has its merits, the opportunity to create something meaningful, have control over my work, and experience the excitement of entrepreneurship were what ultimately drew me away from a traditional corporate path.
‘BookMyChef.app ’is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
When we were brainstorming names for the platform, we wanted something that was catchy, easy to remember, and clearly conveyed our core service – connecting users with skilled chefs for their events and gatherings.
The name “BookMyChef.app” encapsulates our mission and value proposition succinctly. It’s straightforward and tells users exactly what they can expect – the ability to book a chef for their needs, all through our convenient app platform.
Now, let’s talk about the problem we’re solving. In the hospitality sector, particularly for small-scale events and gatherings, the task of finding a caterer willing to handle a smaller gig can be quite overwhelming. Ultimately, we are left with no alternative but to rely on our female companions to prepare a satisfactory meal for the guests, or resort to ordering takeout which often arrives cold and unappetizing by the time we consume it. Consequently, instead of fully enjoying the company of our friends and guests, the host finds themselves spending the majority of their time in the kitchen, ultimately feeling exhausted by the end of the day.
However, with BookMyChef, hosting becomes a stress-free endeavour. Not only can you reserve a chef of your preference, but you can also tailor your own menu to suit the dietary preferences of your guests. This convenient service alleviates the burdens of the host, enabling them to actively engage with their friends and guests, while the chef takes charge of the culinary aspects.
BookMyChef.app addresses this challenge by providing a centralized platform where users can easily browse through profiles of experienced chefs & reputed caterers, read reviews from past clients, and book their services with just a few clicks. We streamline the process of finding and booking a chef, saving our users time and effort while ensuring they receive high-quality culinary services for their events.
By solving this problem, we’re not only making it easier for individuals to access top-notch culinary talent, but we’re also empowering chefs to showcase their skills, expand their client base, and thrive in their profession.
What does your company specialize in?
Our company specializes in providing on-demand hospitality services, with a primary focus on connecting users with skilled chefs, bartenders, and caterers for their events and gatherings. We excel in curating a network of talented professionals who offer a wide range of culinary expertise and services, catering to various cuisines, dietary preferences, and event sizes. Very soon, our users will have the opportunity to explore and reserve culinary experiences, such as chef’s table events, hosted by renowned chefs in their own city. A chef’s table offers an exceptional and immersive encounter with expertly crafted culinary creations, meticulously planned for an unparalleled dining experience.
Our platform is designed to streamline the process of finding and booking hospitality professionals, offering convenience, reliability, and quality assurance to our users. Whether someone is hosting a dinner party at home, planning a corporate event, or organizing a special celebration, we specialize in matching them with the perfect culinary talent to elevate their experience.
In addition to our core specialization in culinary services, we also prioritize customer satisfaction, professionalism, and innovation in everything we do. We’re constantly evolving and expanding our offerings to meet the diverse needs of our clients while maintaining the highest standards of service excellence.
Overall, our specialization lies in delivering exceptional hospitality experiences through our platform, ensuring seamless connections between users and skilled professionals to create memorable events and gatherings.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Keeping the momentum going despite challenges is undoubtedly a key aspect of entrepreneurship, and it’s driven by a combination of factors for us.
First and foremost, We are driven by a deep passion for what we do. The hospitality industry has always been our passion, and the opportunity to create something innovative and impactful within this space fuels our drive every day. I believe in the mission of the BookMyChef.app and the positive impact it can have on both clients and hospitality professionals, and that belief propels me forward, even when faced with obstacles.
Secondly, we are motivated by the satisfaction of seeing the results of our hard work and dedication. Every time we successfully match a client with the perfect chef for their event or receive positive feedback from both users and professionals on our platform, it reaffirms the value of what we’re doing and inspires us to keep pushing forward.
Additionally, the support of my team plays a crucial role in keeping me motivated. Building and leading a talented team of individuals who share our passion and vision for BookMyChef is incredibly rewarding. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication to our mission are infectious, and together, we’re able to tackle challenges head-on and overcome them as a unified force.
Finally, I’m driven by the desire to make a meaningful impact on the hospitality industry and the lives of those we serve. Knowing that BookMyChef is making a difference, whether it’s by providing opportunities for hospitality professionals to showcase their talents or by simplifying the process of booking culinary services for our clients, gives me a sense of purpose and drives me to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence.
In summary, it’s a combination of passion, belief in our mission, satisfaction from seeing results, support from our team, and the desire to make a positive impact that keeps us going despite the challenges of entrepreneurship.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Continuous learning, embracing challenges, seeking feedback, setting goals, self-reflection, and practicing resilience – have all contributed to my growth as a person and as an entrepreneur.
By incorporating these practices into our daily lifes, we can constantly evolve, improve, and strive to be the best version of ourselves.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
1. Vision and Clarity
2. Passion and Commitment
3. Continuous Learning
4. Resilience and Adaptability
5. Effective Communication
6. Strategic Planning and Execution
7. Emotional Intelligence
8. Persistence and Grit
9. Integrity and Ethics
10. Adaptability to Change
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
1. Don’t be afraid to fail.
2. Stay grounded
3. Invest in Skill Development
4. Seek a Mentor for guidance
5. Get your hands dirty to gain Practical Experience
6. Build a Professional Network
7. Develop Strong Communication Skills
Last but not least, what are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1. Showing how to do a thing has more impact than telling how to do it
2. Focus on the bright side of every setback
3. Honesty and transparency help us deal with any situation
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
