<B>In love with the Taj!</B>

His relationship with his workplace in Flic-en-Flac is a wonderful story. Sheroy was born next to the Taj Mahal. After his studies he started working for Taj Hotel Resorts and Palaces.

Sheroy has two distinctive personalities - at work and away from it. Indeed, when he is in his kitchen as executive sous-chef, he looks most serious. But, when he is outside, he is just someone who likes to have fun and make jokes. “I am a fun-loving person. But at work I am different. I distinguish between my personal and professional life. When I am in the kitchen, I am always focused on what I am doing.”

Sheroy has been in the Taj Hotel in Mauritius since October 2004. He was originally sent here for its opening the same year. He was chosen to bring in the Taj culture, to train the staff and help set the standards. His contract expires in October this year. He does not hide how pleased he would be if it was renewed. “I love my job. It keeps me alive. Moreover, I love Mauritius. Obviously at the beginning I had some difficulty settling down because Mauritius was new to me. But now, I feel as if I am in India. I would really like to stay here!”

Since Sheroy has been here, he has enjoyed his hobbies. Diving is his favourite one as well as going to the gym when he has time. There, Sheroy forgets about all his worries as it takes away stress. Although he speaks English and most of the main Indian languages, he has also tried to learn some Creole whenever he gets the opportunity of doing so.

Sheroy went to a hotel management college after his secondary studies. Straightaway, he got a job withTaj Hotel Resorts and Palaces when he was only nineteen. Actually, the idea of joining the hotel early came from his elder brother who did the same thing before him. In Taj Hotel, he had to follow a tough chef training program where he had to work in all the different departments of the hotel to understand its management.

Since Taj Hotel Resorts and Palaces is a huge international chain, Sheroy travelled to other countries to learn more and get experience in different branches. He then specialised in Italian cuisine. This is why he spent six months in Italy for first-hand training. Over there, he learnt more about pizzas, pasta and other Italian foods. After that, he returned to India and shared his knowledge with the different Taj restaurants in Mumbai. And in 2000 he was sent to the Maldives.

Sheroy was born in Mumbai in 1970 in an area close to the Taj Mahal – what a coincidence! He lives on his own and is unmarried. However, when somebody asks him whether he is married, he always gives the same answer with a good sense of humour: “So far, I live on my own. But I am not single. I am married to my work! I love it!”