Wearing Two Aprons: Fathers Who Cook With Heart, At Work and At Home
This Father’s Day, I want to talk about a group of men who carry not just the weight of professional excellence but also the emotional labor of being fathers—chefs who wear two aprons, one for their kitchens and one for their homes.
Imagine this: before the sun rises, they’re already in their whites, knives sharpened, minds locked into precision and service. Their job? To make others feel joy through food. But what’s often hidden behind the perfectly plated dishes is a story of sacrifice—of missed birthdays, school recitals, first steps, and bedtime stories. These chefs are constantly splitting themselves between their passion and their families, often navigating an emotional tightrope.
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Take Chef Dinesh Rana, for instance. As Executive Chef at Novotel Goa Panjim, he only sees his family in Himachal once every six months. He openly shares the emotional cost of this distance. What keeps him going is his belief that passion can inspire even from afar. When he’s with his son, he makes every moment count—cooking together, talking endlessly, sharing laughter. He hopes that his son understands that love isn’t always about being there every day—it’s about being present in spirit, in legacy, in the care behind every dish.
Then there’s Chef Varad Kotnala from The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, who says fatherhood transformed his entire approach to leadership. Once a hard-nosed chef working across the Gulf and Europe, he now leads with empathy. One story stands out: when a team member missed several shifts, Kotnala discovered the chef’s child had serious health issues. He stepped up, organized help, and in the process, became more than just a boss—he became a mentor who understood pain.
Chef Matteo Arvonio of JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru echoes this sentiment. For him, food has become more than creativity—it’s a bridge to his heritage, a way to pass on values and love. Cooking is not just about recipes anymore. It’s about connection. Every dish he serves carries a piece of who he is—a father, a storyteller, a man trying to feed futures, not just stomachs.
But these chefs aren’t just here to inspire—they have advice for the next generation too. Stay passionate but grounded. Learn always. Ego is your enemy. And above all, don’t forget why you started. For many, it’s family that fuels their fire.
So today, let’s raise a toast to these fathers. They may not always be around to read bedtime stories or attend every school event, but they show up in the meals they cook, in the lessons they pass down, and in the silent strength they carry with them. This Father’s Day, remember the men who feed us in more ways than one. They wear their second apron with pride, even if it’s covered in flour and love instead of Michelin stars.
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