Food is not just a way to satisfy hunger, it is an experience—of sensations, memories, and connection. When we sit down and enjoy a delicious meal at a club bistro, we are faced with not just dishes, but the hard work, stories, and emotions of the countless people who have contributed to making this experience special.
In this article, we take a peek behind the scenes—the kitchen staff, chefs, waiters, cleaners, and organizers who make club dining unique and intimate—and how their personal experiences, family traditions, and collective dedication make a club bistro more than just a dining venue, but a vibrant hub of culture and community.
Bistro: Not just food, but a culture
The word ‘bistro’ conjures up images of a place where the atmosphere is warm, the food tastes like home, and the conversation is effortless. Club Bistro is an extension of this idea—it is neither just a restaurant nor just a café; It is a collective cultural experience, where every member gets a family-like atmosphere.
Chef Antonio’s Story – A legacy in every dish
Chef Antonio, who has been the head chef at the club’s bistro for the last 18 years, came to India from a small village in Friuli, Italy. He says,
“Every time I make polenta or gnocchi, I remember my grandmother’s kitchen. The taste of her hands is my inspiration.”
His grandmother would cook every night on a clay stove and tell family stories. Today the same dishes, the same emotions, are alive in the club’s menu. His handmade “Frico”, which he has presented in ‘Nonna’s style’, has become the most popular dish among the club members.
Out of sight but important – the hard work of the cleaners
Every morning when the kitchen starts at the club, the first person to reach there is not a chef, but a cleaner Ramu Bhai. He has been working for the last 12 years to keep the kitchen and dining area of the club sparkling clean. Be it rain or shine, his duty is fixed – “to always keep the club welcoming.”
He says with a smile –
“People say the food was good, but if the place is not clean, there is no fun. Our work is behind the scenes, but very important.”
His honesty and dedication is the invisible foundation on which the entire bistro experience rests.
Sandhya’s welcome – which makes every customer feel ‘at home’
Sandhya Tiwari, sitting at the front desk, whose smiling face is the first thing every member sees, is considered the ‘soul’ of the club bistro. She knows every member’s likes and dislikes—who wants which table, which wine they like, and whose birthday is on which day.
“Once an elderly couple came,” says Sandhya. It was their 50th wedding anniversary. We decorated the entire bistro with flowers, made their favourite dish and played old songs for them. They cried and said, ‘This evening has become the most beautiful memory of our lives.’”
Moments like these make Club dining memorable.
Special events, special stories
Events like the wine nights, seasonal fiestas, and family brunches held at the Club from time to time also have dozens of stories hidden in them.
Once on an “Italian theme night,” Chef Antonio prepared a special pasta dish—Tagliatelle al Tartufo—from old recipe notes written by his mother. That night, all the Club members shared not just the taste, but the emotions as well.
According to the club’s organizing team,
“We make every event a cultural experience—food, music, decorations, and service—everything is tied to a theme.”
Volunteer members—who serve from the heart
Sometimes club members also work as volunteers in the bistro.
Like Mr. Vincent, who stands at the dessert counter every Sunday and serves cakes to children. He says,
“When children say – Uncle, give me that chocolate cake – my heart fills with joy. We are not just serving food here, we are building relationships.”
Memories that are in photos
Dozens of old photos hang on the walls of the club’s bistro – in some the cook is smiling, in some a customer is dancing, in some children are eating ice cream. Every photo is a story – a moment that no one has been able to forget.
The manager of the bistro says,
“Every photo is an emotional connection. We want these walls to tell history and also spread the warmth of relationships.”
Why is this club dining special?
- Personal touch: Every member’s preferences are taken care of here.
- Homely taste: The dishes are traditional, which are full of emotions.
- Dedicated team: The hard work, honesty and dedication of the people working behind the scenes make it special.
- A confluence of culture: Culture, music and relationships are served here along with food.
Conclusion:
The club’s bistro is not just a place to serve food. It is a place where memories are cooked in the steam of the kitchen, relationships are decorated on the serving trays, and emotions are hung on the walls. It is a joint effort of those who create the most delicious and intimate experience of our lives from behind the scenes So the next time you go to dine at Club Bistro, don’t just taste, but also feel the love, hard work and story that goes into every bite of that thali.