Launching a global hospitality job portal
Food expert Rashmi Uday Singh who was in Colombo talks about her initiativeHospitality Hope
The name Rashmi Uday Singh needs little introduction, especially if one belongs to the world of hospitality. The World Gourmand Cookbook awardwinner and television show host has authored over 40 books including India’s first city-restaurant guide to Mumbai in 1997 and the world’s first-ever vegetarian guide to Paris in 2012.
The BBC-trained presenter has appeared in several international and national television shows, most notably in Gordon’s Great Escape, a series presented by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and Netflix’s The Final Table. She also had the honour of being conferred a knighthood from France, the Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) in 2016.
Rashmi began her professional life working in the Indian Revenue Service, resigning as Commissioner of Tax 13 years later. Having written articles throughout, she was invited by the Times of India to start the first regular weekly restaurant column over 30 years ago and has since contributed to many publications, both Indian and international.
After three decades of experiencing the hospitality industry through writing and television, Rashmi feels it’s time to do her part to give back for all she has received over the years. She founded Hospitality Hope, the world’s first global hospitality job portal which was launched in the latter part of last year. The innovative platform provides professionals worldwide in search of internships or employment opportunities the chance to find the job of their dreams within the industry.
The job portal completely financed by Rashmi herself, with no sponsors or revenue model is devoid of fees and subscriptions. Hospitality Hope simplifies the job search process and ensures equal access to opportunities without financial roadblocks.
“I’ve written 40 books, and I’ve done so many television shows. I want to do something different now, something more meaningful,” says Rashmi. The seed of this venture was sown during the pandemic when Rashmi posted job alerts on Instagram upon requests from people, restaurants, and hotels. She then started working on Hospitality Hope while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. “It’s fun to do something in-between treatments that makes me feel good, so this is a very selfish project from that point of view - it has a side effect of helping people.”
Hospitality Hope has garnered a lot of support from top chefs around the world, with big names like Massimo Bottura, Mauro Colagreco, Dabiz Muños providing testimonials. Rashmi hopes that this initiative will provide some benefit to youngsters looking to dip their toes in the industry and make it a little less challenging. “In this world, there is so much competition; it’s dogeat-dog, and I just want to send out this signal of happiness and hope.”
Visit hospitalityhope.com for further information.