Two alumni of Conestoga’s Culinary Management program opened a new restaurant in Kitchener, serving up authentic Indian cuisine with a focus on flavours from the country’s north and south.
Vaibhav Patel and Gaurav Patel, both alumni of the Culinary Management program, and Soumin Patel recently opened Madras Chettinaad in Kitchener.
Vaibhav Patel and Gaurav Patel, both graduating in 2012, and Soumin Patel celebrated the grand opening of Madras Chettinaad on Fairway Road the first weekend in September.
This restaurant isn’t the first culinary venture for the trio of cousins. They also own three Burrito Boyz locations in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and recently added a Gino’s Pizza in Kitchener where Vaibhav and Gaurav worked as delivery drivers while studying at Conestoga.
“It’s a great journey from being students to successful entrepreneurs, with the same community and Conestoga playing such a pivotal role in our story,” Vaibhav said.
Grateful to the college for helping them on their journey as restauranteurs and eager to see other students succeed, they have hired many Conestoga students to work in their restaurants. They credit Conestoga for playing a foundational role in their culinary ventures, including opening Madras Chettinaad.
“It provided me with the knowledge, skills and network necessary to navigate the restaurant industry. Through their programs and resources, I was able to refine my culinary techniques, business management strategies and connect with like-minded professionals, which has been invaluable in turning my visions into successful ventures,” Vaibhav said.
The aim with the restaurant’s menu and atmosphere is to provide an authentic and immersive experience that reflects the rich culinary traditions of both south and north Indian cuisine. “It’s about creating a memorable dining journey that excites the palate and celebrates Indian culture.”
They chose to stay in Waterloo Region and open their restaurant here because the region is diverse, growing and full of people eager for a new culinary experience, Vaibhav explained.
“By providing not just great food but an inviting atmosphere, we want to give guests an experience that starts the moment they walk in the door. It’s about delivering more than just a meal; we want to transport them with flavours, sights, and sounds that make dining here something special.”
Bhanu Vashishth, vice-president of International Business Development and Strategic Relationships, came out to the ribbon cutting, remembering supporting the students when they started studying culinary management at Conestoga in 2010.
“We gave them the business skills, we gave them the culinary skills, and look at them today,” Vashishth said. “I am very proud.”
Conestoga’s two-year Culinary Management program provides students with the solid foundational skills of classic and emerging culinary trends and techniques through live-action demonstrations, lectures and immersive hands-on practice. Students learn what it takes to run a kitchen, as well as the entrepreneurial side of running a business.
The program is part of the School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts, a leader in culinary and hospitality programming that prepares students for successful careers in Canada’s dynamic tourism industry.