Devki is an enthusiastic hotelier, having served people in the hotel industry for the last 10–12 years. He believes that good communication and innovative ideas are required to make guests happy.

Devki Nandan Verma is a F&B Manager at Vijaygarh Palace and Resort and the Hotel Management Institute in Udaipur.

Recalling his childhood, Devki remembers so many incidents related to the local trains in Mumbai, which are a lifeline for many. Also, he cherishes his childhood college memories with his friends.

Devki shares that he started his career in the hospitality industry in 2009, and then, to learn more and evolve more, he went to Switzerland in 2014. There he worked in various bars and restaurants, and along with this, he completed his MBA in hotel management. He had an amazing experience in Switzerland. He learned a lot, especially the things that were missing in India. There, he even got printed for a famous cocktail edition magazine in 2016 and had a photoshoot along with his recipe and his manager.

Furthermore, after completing his studies and gaining a sufficient amount of experience, he came back to India. He then started working at the AHA Airline and Hotel Management Academy in Udaipur. He is also into teaching aspirants about food and beverages and bar training, which has been his passion since he joined this industry.

After returning to Mumbai, he faced some challenges in finding a job. He did highlight a significant difference in the cultures, ways of serving, and ways of hospitality between the two nations.

Sharing his COVID-19 experiences, Devki says that COVID-19 proved to be disastrous for everyone. He joined a new hotel in January 2020 in Mumbai, but in March there was a lockdown. Being the sole breadwinner in his family, he faced a lot of financial issues. There was no support from the hotel side. So then he opted for teaching hospitality, which was his passion, as he has sufficient knowledge and experience to do so.

Advising aspirants in his field, Devki says that education is a must and has no shortcuts. If guests come to you, you have to make them happy. At the end of the day, guest satisfaction should be your priority. Also, good communication skills are preferred, and a person with innovative ideas is always welcomed.

According to Devki, experience and knowledge go hand in hand. You learn from your mistakes and gain experience. Education is important for developing managerial skills and growing faster. If both are considered together, then your future development is definite.

Talking about leadership, Devki says that he is not a born leader. He did not have any leadership qualities before joining the hotel industry. Before coming to this line, he ran a lot of errands, worked in the construction field, did craftsmanship, worked with an architect, and also did interior design work. About the hotel line, he loves being in it. He likes interacting with guests, meeting new people, and gaining experience. After recalling his past and learning from his past mistakes, he has developed himself as a leader.

In his free time, he likes attending parties and travelling, and he also desires to have an amazing bike collection. He loves spending time with his family.