- Name: Pankaj Balachandran
- Instagram: @isaynegroni
- Industry Experience: 14 years
- Favorite Drink: Gibson or anything like a Martini, although I still love my Negroni
- Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Americano
Pankaj Balachandran’s career trajectory in hospitality feels nothing short of adventure driven by passion, grit and innovation. Pankaj wears many hats, he is the brand director of Short Story Spirits, along with co-founding roles at Boilermaker and Jerry’s Cocktails. As the co-founder and CEO of Coutertop, Pankaj is revolutionizing bar consulting and management in India in his inimitable way.
The seeds of Pankaj’s career were sown when he was a teen! After excelling in his school exams, his father took him to the Taj Hotel in Cochin, where he met a polished restaurant manager who was equal parts charisma and professionalism. This encounter ignited a spark, leading him to pursue a career in hospitality. After graduating from IHM Bombay, Pankaj’s internship at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai was where it began to take shape. Working grueling 16-hour shifts, he seized every opportunity to immerse himself in the bar scene, polishing glasses by day and bartending by night. Under the mentorship of industry veterans, like Colin Hutton, he discovered his passion for wine and spirits, which would become central to his career.
His transition from hotel management to becoming a renowned sommelier was both organic and serendipitous. Initially appointed as a bar manager at Ricks Bar at Taj Mansingh in New Delhi, Pankaj’s enthusiasm for wine led him to win the Indian Sommelier Championship in 2013. This win established him as a prominent figure in the beverage industry and opened many doors. “I was fortunate enough to then take on Diplomatico, Cherry Heering , Hendricks ,Monkey Shoulder, all of their portfolio, launch them in India and got into the ambassador side of things majorly for Monkey Shoulder.”
Pankaj’s philosophy resonates deeply with aspiring bartenders and sommeliers. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity over simply copying formats, urging them to cultivate their unique styles rather than conforming to trends. All about creating a unique legacy, Pankaj believes in creating diverse cocktail menus that cater to all palates, rather than relying on cookie-cutter approaches that have little thought or heart backing them. At Boilermaker, Goa, “we are trying to do is bring people back to Goa when you’re in Goa.” Why? Because most Goa bars according to Pankaj offer an experience that is far removed from the soul of Goa.
As a parting note, we ask Pankaj to share a few tips for his colleagues – “For a sommelier, knowing the craft is very important, but simplifying it for your consumers is the biggest thing. For Brand ambassadors, loving your brand is great, but truly believing in what that brand can become through you, while you build your personal branding is just as important. It’s not just about ordering your brand at a bar, but getting a bartender to pour your brand at a bar…That’s your biggest win. For consultants, It’s a thankless job, number one. You never get the credit of what you’ve built because it is for someone else. If you are not experienced enough in the craft, without a mentor and without growing in the trade, you should not step into it because you will, in a way, undo a lot of good things that have been done by the right people.”
As he looks toward the future, Pankaj is excited about several upcoming projects in Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore that promise to further innovate the bar industry. Always one to give back to the industry, one of his goals is to nurture talent within the hospitality sector and foster collaborative environments where creativity can flourish.
– Nagwa Kureshi