The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) (estb.2017) is a new age hospitality institution with an objective to reimagine and transform the culinary educational landscape within the country while bringing more awareness towards the potential of pursuing multifarious careers in the culinary world. Based in Gurgaon, Delhi, the institute boasts of a multi-storey complex measuring 50,000 sq. feet with 6 classrooms, 3 training kitchens and 3 laboratories with state-of-the-art infrastructure. ISH held its first session in August 2018.

The institute has introduced an international standard curriculum and is broadening the scope of culinary practices by integrating smart technologies in the system like “Digi Chef” which offers students digital and online tutoring options for a limited part of their course. ISH has already enrolled 65 students for three of its undergraduate programmes.

ISH also offers a year-long bridge courses for unemployed graduates, an 18 month diploma programme plus another year-long course in culinary arts for people looking for a career change or alternate career. The course which has been gaining traction internationally, has found 14 takers so far.  

The college has been founded by Dilip Puri, CEO, ISH who as former managing director and regional vice-president of Starwood Hotels and resorts, South Asia has over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry. He has earlier worked with brands such as Oberoi Hotels, and the Indian Hotels Group.

Putting his experience to work, Dilip Puri has already roped in international hospitality and culinary schools to collaborate and engage in student exchange and knowledge transfer programmes. ISH holds an official academic accreditation from the École hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland institute which ranks number 1 amongst the global leaders in hospitality education. On 16th April 2019, ISH signed an agreement with the Singapore based At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy, one of Asia’s premier culinary institutes.

ISH expects to begin its first batch with the At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy in August 2019. As the first step of this collaboration with At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy, is an 18-month programme, of which students will spend the first 9 months within the Indian School of Hospitality, before completing the rest of their studies in At-Sunrice along with 6 months of overseas industrial attachment within Singapore itself, earning a Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) upon graduation. They will then further have the opportunity to continue for full degree qualifications at either of the following universities – Johnson & Wales University (USA), University of West London (UK), Technological, Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong or International College of Hotel Management (Australia).

“We also hope to collaborate with At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy on a cross-disciplinary start up lab for food entrepreneurs as well as a digital learning platform for culinary training. ISH aims to explore placement opportunities for its students, guest faculty exchange for special master classes and workshops with all its international tie-ups,” informs Dilip Puri.

Dilip Puri is confident on the potential job opportunities for culinary arts students even outside of the hospitality industry since hospitality industry graduates are well-trained in social and soft skills required to transact business. ISH also plans to create an incubation center for potential entrepreneurs in the food & beverage industry within this year. ISH plans to provide mentoring, infrastructure, a business platform as well as funding and sponsorship options for with interesting business plans.