At 4, I told my teacher that I would be running Koshy’s. At 21, I did not want anything to do with Koshy’s. At 35, I didn’t have a choice but to run the place. It’s been over 25 years since and I love every bit associated with Koshy’s.
Everyone who knows Bangalore knows Koshy’s. It was my grandfather PO Koshy’s dream to start something on his own. In 1940, we launched the first hygienically run bakery in the city and even supplied bread to the army. In 1952, we constructed a building on St. Mark’s Road and there was no looking back. After my grandfather, my father and uncle took over and today, its my brother Santosh Mathew and me who have taken over the reins.
I started working at the store when I was seven, selling cakes and using any free time to run upstairs to the British Library. Throughout my childhood, I had a taste for the fine arts. I learnt shooting and was the All India Champion between 1975 and 1979. I was a gold medallist in MCC, was involved in theatre, and also tap dance, sing and play the piano.
Growing up, everyone would speak about the opportunities and the lifestyle in America and I knew I wanted to be there. As a teenager, I left for America to explore new opportunities but soon realized that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I came back to India. Today, apart from the restaurant, I am a yoga teacher and work in the area of value-added education. I am also a snake charmer and work in wildlife rehabilitation.
Koshy’s has served Prime Ministers and royalty and artists and politicians over time. We follow a simple rule – treat everyone with respect and do not discriminate. We are an institution based on principles. Koshy’s is what it is today because of my elders and the foundation they have laid. The foundation is rooted in symbiosis, equality and the lack of hierarchy. All of our cooks have stayed with us for over 30 years. Some have joined even before I was born! In fact, one day I saw one of our waiters nodding off and asked him why he didn’t take off to rest. He told me “Your grandfather and I made a promise that whichever one of us went first, the other would look after both our families. I’m here to keep an eye out for you.” One other time, just a few months ago, we saw five generations of a family siting at the same table and each generation had their favourite item. The oldest gentlemen said the roast chicken tasted the same as when he was young, like my grandfather would serve in 1952. That is the institution that is Koshy’s.
That is our culture.
Prem Koshy
