Prosenjit Chandra – Director of FIHM Noida | Renowned Culinary Visionary, Hospitality Educator & Academic Leader in Indian Hotel Management https://fihm.in/
Shaping Hospitality Education in India
In the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality education in India, Prosenjit Chandra has emerged as a prominent and respected figure whose work is redefining how future hospitality professionals are trained and developed. As the Director of Federal Institute of Hotel Management (FIHM), Noida, he brings with him over 17 years of robust experience in both the industry and academia. His unique blend of operational expertise, gained from his tenure at prestigious hotel chains like the Taj Group, and his academic leadership in top-tier hospitality institutes, positions him as a transformative force in hospitality education.
What sets Chandra apart is his deep commitment to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Under his leadership, FIHM has adopted an industry-integrated curriculum, incorporating real-time hospitality trends, international standards, and hands-on training modules. His vision emphasizes student-centric learning, where education is not limited to classrooms but extends into kitchens, banquet setups, internships, and live events. He actively encourages student participation in national culinary competitions, international chef workshops, and leadership conferences, ensuring they are ready for global opportunities.
Beyond curriculum design, Chandra plays a pivotal role in faculty development, aligning teaching methods with global benchmarks. His certification from AHLEI (American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute) and his life membership in the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) are testaments to his commitment to excellence and continuous learning.
Through his work, Prosenjit Chandra has positioned FIHM Noida as a rising leader in hospitality education. His leadership is not just administrative—it is visionary. He inspires both faculty and students to aim higher, think creatively, and serve with integrity. In doing so, he is not only shaping individual careers but also elevating the reputation of Indian hospitality education on the global stage.
Early Life & Educational Foundation
Building Blocks of a Hospitality Career
From a young age, Prosenjit Chandra displayed a fascination with structure, discipline, and creativity — qualities that would later become cornerstones of his academic and professional journey. Born and raised in India, Chandra was always inclined towards the hospitality sector, recognizing early on its power to influence culture, economy, and customer experience.
Academic Qualifications
Prosenjit pursued a solid academic trajectory:
- BHMCT – Bachelor in Hotel Management & Catering Technology
- MTM – Master in Tourism Management
- MBA – Master in Business Administration
These academic pursuits helped him understand both the operational intricacies of the hotel industry and the strategic side of business development. His educational background gave him the tools to become not only a culinary and operational expert but also a visionary educational leader.
Professional Certifications & Affiliations
Certified by AHLEI
Prosenjit Chandra is a Certified Instructor of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). This prestigious international qualification adds credibility to his teaching and positions him among global hospitality educators. Certified Entrepreneurship Educator by NEN (National Entrepreneurship Network), under the prestigious Wadhwani Foundation, Bangalore.
Life Member of Indian Culinary Forum (ICF)
In recognition of his culinary commitment and contribution to gastronomy, Chandra is a Life Member of the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF) — India’s most elite association of chefs and culinary professionals. This association provides him with access to ongoing developments, culinary contests, and forums that enrich his pedagogical methods.
Industry Experience: The Taj Legacy
Professional Foundation at Taj Hotels
Before stepping into the academic arena, Chandra honed his operational and service skills in India’s most prestigious hospitality brand — the Taj Group of Hotels. Working in various departments under this global brand, he internalized world-class standards of service, guest interaction, and kitchen efficiency. His time at Taj not only reinforced his practical skills but also gave him an insider’s view into the demands of luxury hospitality.
Mentorship & Entrepreneurial Guidance
Chef Prosenjit’s influence goes beyond classrooms and boardrooms. He serves as a mentor to student startups, encouraging entrepreneurial initiatives both on and off campus. His guidance has helped students conceptualize, launch, and scale ventures in catering, cloud kitchens, bakery outlets, and event planning.
He believes that hospitality professionals must also be creators, thinkers, and innovators, and he works relentlessly to ensure his students are equipped for these roles.
Operational Specialization
- Front Office Management
- F&B Operations
- Kitchen Administration
- Guest Relationship Management
- Team Leadership and Staff Training
These hands-on experiences provided Chandra with the confidence to eventually shift gears and bring his industry knowledge into academia — training the next generation of hoteliers.
Academic Career: Teaching, Mentorship, and Leadership
IAM Hotel School, Kolkata – Professor & HOD
Chandra’s transition into academics began with his role at IAM Hotel School, Kolkata, one of India’s premier hospitality training institutes. As Professor and Department Head, he oversaw curriculum delivery, student mentoring, faculty coordination, and practical skill development. He introduced experiential learning modules and mentored students for national culinary and hospitality competitions.
IHM-RIG, Greater Noida – Academic Leader
Building on his success, he then moved to IHM-RIG (RIG Institute of Hospitality & Management), Greater Noida, another reputed institute, where he took on an expanded leadership role. His focus at IHM-RIG was to bring industry-aligned modules, enhance student soft skills, and prepare students for both domestic and international placements.
Federal Institute of Hotel Management (FIHM), Noida
The Current Chapter: Director – Academics
Today, Prosenjit Chandra serves as the Director – Academics at FIHM Noida, where he is entrusted with the academic vision, policy design, quality assurance, faculty training, and student outcome development. FIHM is widely recognized as one of India’s most promising hospitality institutes, and Chandra’s leadership is a major contributor to its academic rigor and industry relevance.
Academic Innovations & Strategic Contributions at FIHM
Curriculum Modernization
- Developed outcome-based learning modules
- Integrated digital learning tools and hybrid pedagogy
- Introduced international certifications alongside the academic curriculum
Faculty Development
- Conducts train-the-trainer programs
- Hosts workshops for upskilling academic staff in emerging trends like food sustainability, AI in hospitality, and revenue management
Industry Integration
- Regularly invites celebrity chefs, hotel managers, and brand heads for guest lectures
- Initiated internship pipelines with top hotel brands in India and abroad
- Encourages live kitchen demonstrations, food festivals, and international cuisine days
Notable Public Appearances & Culinary Events
India Ka HomeChef 2.0 – Celebrity Judge
In December 2024, Prosenjit Chandra was honored to serve as a Celebrity Judge at the India Ka HomeChef 2.0 Grand Finale, held at the Indian Culinary Institute, Noida. His presence as an expert judge underscored his credibility in culinary circles and his authority in evaluating kitchen creativity and technical precision.
Leadership Philosophy & Vision
“Empowering Through Education”
Chandra believes in the empowerment of students through education that’s not just theoretical but grounded in real-world expectations. His guiding philosophy is to bridge the gap between hospitality academics and industry realities.
Strategic Focus Areas
- Skill-Based Training: Creating job-ready professionals
- Culinary Entrepreneurship: Encouraging students to think like restaurateurs and innovators
- Global Perspective: Incorporating international cuisines, global hospitality standards, and intercultural communication
Digital Presence & Outreach
On LinkedIn, Prosenjit Chandra presents himself as a seasoned academician with deep industry roots. His professional tagline reads:
“Director–FIHM, Noida · 17+ years of experience… Specialized in Culinary Skills and Hospitality Training”
He frequently shares academic updates, event photos, and motivational content for students and young chefs.
Instagram – @chefsunlimited
Through his Instagram handle @chefsunlimited, Chandra documents his culinary journey, chef events, student achievements, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of hospitality education. The handle reflects his creative energy and ability to connect with a younger audience.
Twitter – @chefprosen
On X (formerly Twitter), Chandra’s bio reads:
“Director Academics, FIHM-Noida… Culinary Trainer, Life Member of Indian Culinary Forum”
Here, he often shares thought leadership on food trends, academic excellence, and culinary innovation.
Impact on Students & Testimonials
Students who have studied under Prosenjit Chandra describe him as:
- “An inspirational leader with a chef’s heart”
- “A mentor who truly prepares us for the outside world”
- “A blend of strict discipline and genuine care”
Many of his students have gone on to work in top hotel brands like Taj, Oberoi, Marriott, IHG, and Radisson across India and internationally.
Advocacy for Hospitality Education
Chandra is a vocal advocate for improving the perception of hospitality as a career. He actively works with FIHM’s leadership to:
- Promote skill-based entrepreneurship
- Encourage diversity and inclusion in hospitality
- Introduce green kitchen practices and sustainability modules
Challenges and Triumphs
Chandra has often spoken about the challenges in bridging the gap between theory and practice in Indian hospitality education. He has addressed these through:
- Enhancing faculty-industry interaction
- Creating experiential learning labs
- Working closely with international education partners
Despite budget constraints and curriculum limitations, his ability to innovate within systems is one of his defining strengths.
Future Vision for FIHM Noida
Looking ahead, Chandra envisions:
- FIHM becoming an internationally accredited hospitality institute
- Launching online programs and global culinary webinars
- Expanding student exchange programs with culinary schools abroad
- Introducing research wings for food innovation and sustainable tourism
Recognition & Awards
- Certificate of Excellence – Academic Leadership, awarded by FIHM in 2023
- Recognized by Indian Culinary Forum for contribution to hospitality education
- Featured in hospitality magazines and journals for his thought leadership
Personal Life & Interests
Outside his professional commitments, Prosenjit Chandra enjoys:
- Reading culinary history
- Traveling to explore regional cuisines
- Mentoring young professionals in their career paths
He is also known for organizing charity kitchen events and culinary workshops for underprivileged communities.
Legacy & Continuing Impact
Chef Prosenjit Chandra’s journey in the field of hospitality is not merely a profession—it is a deeply rooted mission to transform the future of the industry through education, innovation, and leadership. With over 17 years of cross-functional experience in hotel operations and hospitality academics, he has positioned himself as a visionary educator, a mentor, and a builder of institutions.
His impact is most visibly reflected in the growth trajectory of FIHM Noida, which under his directorship has flourished into a respected center of excellence. Through his strategic planning and student-centric approach, the institute has introduced industry-integrated modules, international exposure programs, skill-based certifications, and a unique 360-degree development framework that focuses on academics, internships, placement readiness, personality development, and entrepreneurship.
What makes Chef Prosenjit’s legacy stand out is not only his academic and operational expertise but his unwavering commitment to student success. Dozens of students mentored by him have gone on to launch successful startups, join reputed global hospitality brands, or pursue further studies in leading universities abroad. His guidance transcends textbooks—he instills in students the values of discipline, innovation, humility, and service.
Beyond his academic contributions, Chef Prosenjit actively collaborates with the industry through culinary events, national seminars, and curriculum development workshops. His affiliations with AHLEI, ICF, and NEN make him a thought leader whose influence extends beyond institutional walls.
As India’s hospitality landscape becomes more competitive and globally integrated, professionals like Chef Prosenjit Chandra are shaping its direction. His legacy will not only be measured by awards or accolades but by the generations of hospitality professionals he has trained, mentored, and inspired to lead with integrity, creativity, and passion. His mission continues—with greater clarity, renewed energy, and a vision that reaches far beyond borders.
