The women in the F&B industry are the support system for all the future women hospitality professionals, says Food & Beverage Consultant Misha Pamnany
Misha Pamnany has had a prolific career as a food & beverage consultant over the past 15 years. There is hardly anything else left to say about her after you see the past clients and their confidence in her. Misha was recently named as one of the best food & beverage consultants in India by EagleOwl. She manages the award-winning bar at the prestigious Karnataka Golf Association (KGA). She is also a partner at Fat Cat Pizza which has a cult-like following in Bangalore.
In 2019, Misha won the Iconic F&B Consultant Award hosted by Times Hospitality.
Check out the excerpts of a conversation with had with the iconic Misha Pamnany.
Tell us more about ‘Salt & Pepper’.
Salt & Pepper is a food and beverage consulting firm. The essential ingredients if we may - the brains & the brawn, the yin & the yang or in our line of business ‘salt & pepper’ are the key ingredients to setting up the perfect bar or restaurant. At ‘Salt & Pepper’, we bring together an eclectic mix of experience and panache, technical know-how and cost management.
Founded in 2008, Salt & Pepper was one of the first to bring food & beverage consulting into the industry. With more than 15 years of experience in setups and troubleshooting, it adds a distinct dimension to the previously classic approach to consulting. We have covered the entire gamut of food and beverage landscape, from cloud kitchens to microbreweries, turnkey set-ups to management and troubleshooting contracts.
Our mission is to learn something new every day. Our vision is that the right concoction equals success in all fronts.
Food and beverage was initially considered a male-dominated industry, however in the recent times we see women being part of it. How far this shift has reached? And what is the future of women in this industry?
We see women succeeding on all fronts in the food &beverage industry, but the shift has not reached as far as we would like it to. There is still rampant sexism prevalent in this industry. The women in the F&B industry are the support system for all the future women hospitality professionals. So, there is only hope when we all support each other.
Does the role involve a lot of client dinners and meetings outside regular work hours or travel overnight for work? How do you manage it along with your personal life?
Yes, it does. I am married to someone who is 100% supportive and my partner at work as well as home.
‘Work from home’ and ‘flexible work schedule’ are new trends. However, most woman find it more difficult in such work environment. What is your take on it?
I don’t have a problem at all since I have a home office and 50% of work happens away from the site.
Do you think the existing programs introduced by the government supporting women entrepreneurship needs enhancement? Do you have any suggestions for the government?
I love the initiative that the government has taken. Since the initiatives are predominantly focused on product manufacturing, there needs to be more support for services.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue of a woman?
Patience.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
The last client is always my greatest achievement.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
More education, with a focus on financial education.
What does gender equality mean to you?
Same remuneration, respect, accolades, and responsibilities for either male or female for the same job.
What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
Whatever happens, keep your calm. Deal with the situation in that moment, do not let anyone see how stressed you are.
Do you think Women’s Day should be celebrated? Why?
No. We don’t need a special day to prove how great women are.
Apeksha Sandesh congratulates Misha Pamnany for her contribution and commitment towards the field of Food & Beverage. We wish her good luck for the future endeavours!