Chef Vernon Coelho – Culinary Educator, Mentor, and Legend of Indian Hospitality A Pillar of the Western India Culinary Association (WICA) (IHM Mumbai Mentor & WICA Founder) passed away on 26 November 2020,
Early Life and Foundation
Chef Vernon Coelho was born in 1956 and passed away on 26 November 2020, leaving behind a legacy etched deeply into the culinary fabric of India. Though limited information exists about his early family background, his life’s work became the clearest expression of who he was. His passion for food, discipline in the kitchen, and compassion toward students became defining aspects of his character.
From his formative years, Chef Coelho was drawn to the meticulous and expressive world of cuisine. Growing up in a culturally rich era, he was deeply influenced by Indian culinary traditions and global gastronomy. These early inspirations eventually led him to pursue professional education at the prestigious Dadar Catering College, now known as the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai.
Even as a student, Vernon Coelho was known for his attention to detail and quiet leadership qualities. He embraced culinary theory and practice with equal rigor, laying the foundation for what would become a lifelong career in hospitality education. He was deeply inspired by the classical methods of French and Indian cuisine, believing in a disciplined approach to kitchen artistry.
His instructors noted his aptitude early on. His ability to maintain exacting standards, while also remaining approachable and supportive, hinted at the educator he would later become. After completing his formal education, he transitioned into teaching—not as a fallback, but as a passionate calling. In those early days, he began influencing lives and creating what would become a multigenerational impact on the Indian culinary scene.
Students who later became culinary icons remember Chef Coelho’s deep knowledge, warm presence, and signature mix of strictness and care. He instilled values that went beyond recipes and techniques—values rooted in dignity, precision, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His entire journey from an ambitious student to an iconic educator was powered by an unwavering belief in the power of hospitality education to transform lives.
Educational Roots at IHM Mumbai
Chef Coelho was not only an alumnus of IHM Mumbai (formerly Dadar Catering College), but also its most revered faculty member. He began his teaching journey in the same institution, eventually dedicating over 30 years of his professional life to educating future chefs. His excellence, passion, and leadership led him to become the Head of the Department of Culinary/Food Production, a role in which he served for 13 years until his retirement in 2016.
Known for his high standards and meticulous attention to detail, Chef Coelho was a key pillar of the college’s reputation. He taught across all three years of the course, building the foundation of many chefs who would later shape India’s hospitality scene. His reputation for no-nonsense professionalism was balanced by a deep compassion for students, offering guidance well beyond the classroom.
A Pillar of the Western India Culinary Association (WICA)
Chef Coelho co-founded the Western India Culinary Association (WICA) and served as its first President. This organization has been instrumental in bringing culinary professionals together and fostering growth, collaboration, and recognition for chefs in western India. His involvement in WICA underlined his role not just as an educator but also as a community builder and advocate for professional excellence.
Global Culinary Ambassador
His expertise wasn’t confined to the Indian subcontinent. Chef Coelho represented Indian cuisine on global platforms as a guest chef and culinary ambassador. His travels took him to Australia, Mauritius, and aboard prestigious cruise lines such as the Silversea Cruises and the Queen Elizabeth II (QE II). His international exposure enriched his culinary perspective and brought global techniques and sensibilities back into Indian classrooms.
He also served as a guest faculty at elite culinary institutions including Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and London. These stints not only cemented his international reputation but gave his students rare access to techniques and philosophies from the world’s most respected kitchens.
Leadership in the Advanced Training Kitchen (ATK)
Chef Vernon Coelho was deeply involved in developing and managing the Advanced Training Kitchen (ATK) at IHM Mumbai. This space was more than a kitchen—it was a lab, a theatre, and a sanctuary of culinary craft. Here, he mentored students with close personal attention, fostering not just technical skills but also confidence, creativity, and precision.
He guided students through intricate preparations such as Beef Wellington, ensuring they understood every nuance—from the perfect sear to the sauce that accompanied it. Even when leading 50 first-time cooks through challenging recipes, his insistence on standards never wavered. He was known to remember the names, quirks, and unique strengths of hundreds of students, showcasing his profound personal investment in their growth.
Teaching Style: Firm Yet Compassionate
Colleagues and students unanimously agree that Chef Coelho was a “taskmaster with a compassionate heart.”
He demanded nothing less than perfection—his sauces were always smooth, his plates immaculate, and his expectations crystal clear. Yet behind the formality lay a man of deep warmth and wit. He guided students with humor, using his own anecdotes and stories to drive home lessons. His blend of strictness and kindness made him both feared and adored—a true mentor in every sense of the word.
Legacy as a Mentor
Chef Coelho mentored a generation of India’s top culinary professionals. His alumni list reads like a who’s who of modern Indian gastronomy:
- Kainaz Messman (Founder, Theobroma)
- Farrokh Khambata (Chef and Restaurateur)
- Manish Mehrotra (Executive Chef, Indian Accent)
- Sabysachi Gorai (Celebrity Chef)
Chef Saby once recalled, “He was an imposing figure who meant only business… But when I got closer, I found a warm-hearted, wonderful human being.” Many students would visit him long after graduation, often welcomed with coffee, chicken puffs, and engaging conversations at his Bandra home.
Beyond the Kitchen: Choirs, Culture, and Cookies
Chef Coelho was not just a culinary genius. He was also an exceptional storyteller, choir director, and cultural coordinator. At IHM Mumbai, he led several cultural programs, orchestrated events, and even contributed to creative storytelling sessions. His rich baritone voice and acerbic wit made him a memorable emcee and event anchor.
He loved simple joys: homemade fruit cakes, cookies served with coffee, and heartfelt conversations. He had a loyal circle of friends, former students, and peers who adored his company and wisdom.
Even after retirement, Chef Coelho remained intellectually and emotionally active. He read extensively, traveled, and stayed connected with culinary developments across the globe. He continued to mentor, advise, and inspire the next generation of chefs.
Health Challenges and Final Days
Despite battling health issues, including renal failure, Chef Coelho remained characteristically cheerful and composed. His final days were spent in the company of friends, students, and loved ones. He passed away on 26 November 2020, leaving behind a legacy that continues to echo in kitchens across India and abroad.
Industry Tributes and Remembrance
Following his passing, tributes poured in from across the hospitality world. Alumni, colleagues, and friends expressed their deep admiration and gratitude:
- “Chef Vernon Coelho was the reason many of us pursued culinary arts with seriousness.”
- “His blend of grace and grit inspired not only chefs, but human beings.”
- “An era has passed, but his legacy will always be a guiding flame.”
The Eternal Mentor
Chef Vernon Coelho was more than a chef. He was a mentor, leader, and cultural icon in Indian hospitality education. His contribution to culinary training in India is unmatched. His teachings remain alive in the kitchens of his students, the systems he built at IHM Mumbai, and the hearts of everyone who ever shared a lesson or a cup of coffee with him.
His legacy stands tall not in statues or buildings, but in the discipline of a well-made demi-glace, the confidence of a young chef plating their first entrée, and the warm memory of a mentor who demanded your best and gave you his all.
Chef Vernon Coelho (1956 – 2020) A name synonymous with culinary excellence, academic discipline, and enduring mentorship.
