A tribute to Chef Vernon Coelho

From the minute we were born to the moment we take our last breath, there is that little time in between it all that we call life. Though change is the only thing constant in this world, the concept of losing someone forever is something that’s difficult to grasp. One such person who was loved immensely by his family, friends, well-wishers, thousands of his students around the world, the hospitality industry and the chef’s community is Chef Vernon Coelho. Chef Coelho taught at IHM Mumbai for over 30 years. He retired as the Head of Culinary at the Institute. He along with a couple of fellow chefs founded the Western India Culinary Association (WICA). During his teaching years and even later he travelled around the world and taught professionals in many countries. He was the ambassador of Indian culinary would not be an understatement as he spoke about Indian food on so many forums and taught Indian cookery to people around the world. Chef Coelho left for his heavenly abode on 26^th November 2020. The hospitality industry and the culinary fraternity will miss the inspirational professional and an incredible person that Chef Coelho was.

Here are my memories of Chef Coelho and they resonate with his students over the years. I have known Chef Vernon Coelho for over 26 years now. I studied at IHM Mumbai from 1994 to 1997. Knew him first as a student, a colleague when I taught at the institute and then a friend. He was exceptional in all roles. He knew his students well and he mentored them well. Everyone got the best out of him; everyone saw the best version of him for them! He continues to live in our memories.

The last time I met him was in 2018 at his residence at Bandra in Mumbai. He wasn’t keeping very well but his spirits were absolutely high. He led a life of great experiences and on his own terms that added to his travel experiences and culinary expeditions. When I told him that he had neglected his health and had been a workaholic; he replied saying that he had no regrets at all and that he would live the very same life again given a choice. He enjoyed every bit of the ride most of it had IHM Mumbai and its students being a part of the roller coaster. He understood his students well; knowing the qualities of each one of them! His talks and discussionsalways revolved around his students and the Dadar Catering College.

His home showcased his travel memoirs and the wall lined with his cherished childhood and travel photos, a beautiful collection of artefacts and souvenirs that were gifted by his students living around the world. He also took me around his home and showed me some pictures of his family telling the whereabouts of all. He was cordial and warm towards everyone he met.

These thoughts and expressions resonate thousands of his students’ feelings for him. His timeline highlighted some qualities of his as shared by many of his students. Rarely a person inspires generations of professionals. You will not meet a single person who studied at IHM Mumbai and was not inspired by Chef Coelho.  People remember ATK, his den at IHM Mumbai where he’d be often seen giving specific instructions to his students. So often saying something only he could come up with, could make the entire class burst into synchronized laughter.  He had his eyes on students during practicals; even when he was across the kitchen, he could tell if something went amiss. A quality most chefs possess.

As a Chef instructor he would be seen observing, monitoring and making sure that all of his students were trying to replicate the recipes that he made them write in their journals. One deviation and then depending on his mood at that moment, it would either be that sly, one eyed smirk that would make you smile realising your mistake. Or it would garner that angry look telling you that you had messed up the whole thing!

A raconteur par excellence who demanded your undivided attention. He could easily make you feel nostalgic, overwhelmed, inspired and in awe; sometimes all of these at the very same time. People wondered about the clarity with which he remembered his students not just by their names but also the year they graduated. He remembered the mischiefs that were attached to them while in college.  He was a people's person; he livened up every conversation. He lived his life to the fullest, enjoying each moment doing what he loved. He enjoyed good food and took pleasures in the little things.

He was also the head of the Cultural Committee while he worked at IHM Mumbai. Apart from holding the regular college cultural events; there were the choir practices and Christmas celebrations that his students remember fondly. Everyone who attended these events also remember his beautiful rendition of the O holy night.

To his students he was cheerful, witty, often acerbic, approachable, warm, generous and friendly with a wicked sense of humour that everyone loved. Students knew that he was the coolest Profs when he distributed a handout that said amongst other things, ‘A chef is always right, even in his underwear'. His mantra shared with all his students was “Serve cold dishes cold and Hot dishes piping hot”. While he was quite generous with his praises, he did not shy away from pointing out the flaws quite upfront and an on the face. His feedback was sandwiched well and his critiquing took people far ahead.

He was a great storyteller always ready for good, long telephonic chats, even when he was not in the best of health. He kept in touch with his students; in fact some connected with Chef Coelho if they wanted information or hereabouts of a batch mate they were not in touch with. He made it a point to reply to messages sent to him.

Chef Vernon Coelho was a dedicated and passionate teacher who created a legacy. A legacy that'll live on in all the incredible hospitality professionals he has inspired over generations. It will also live on in the Chefs he has mentored and the numerous stories that highlight his incredible memory, great sense of humour and concern for his students. He was a wonderful man who lived an equally meaningful and cherished life- a teacher everyone loved!

Mr. Ravi Wazir has worked closely with chef Coelho on archiving his journey and I would like to share the link here so that his fans all over the world in hospitality or outside of it get a glimpse of his life.

Authored by:Laxmi Todiwan,Founder,Indian Women in Hospitality (IWH)