Bengaluru: ChefTalk, one of India’s leading organisations in the food and hospitality services sector, marked 18 successful years with a grand carnival celebration in the city, reflecting its steady growth and social impact. Founded by social activist and entrepreneur Govinda Babu Poojary, the organisation has emerged as a major employment generator, supporting more than 5,000 families across the state.
The annual ChefTalk Carnival, held at the organisation’s headquarters in Bommanahalli, was celebrated in a distinctive manner this year, coinciding with New Year festivities. The event brought together representatives from labour organisations, the judiciary, police services, social movements and the creative industry, highlighting ChefTalk’s wide social footprint.
The carnival was inaugurated by Nagalakshmi Chowdhury, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission. Addressing the gathering, she congratulated Govinda Babu Poojary for building ChefTalk into a strong institution that provides livelihoods to thousands and contributes meaningfully to society beyond business objectives.
Several eminent personalities addressed nearly 5,000 food industry employees present at the event. Actor and director S. Narayan, Deputy Commissioners of Police Reena Suvarna, K.M. Satish and Mahesh Kumar, retired judge Manunath Naik, and social activist Ravi Shetty Byndoor shared words of encouragement, urging workers to take pride in their profession and social responsibility.
ACP Reena Suvarna stressed that women working in private organisations should emerge as role models and become voices of social change. Speakers praised Poojary’s commitment to inclusive growth, noting that he has enabled employment opportunities for thousands, supported housing initiatives through banks and charitable trusts, and extended assistance to underprivileged families.
Social activist Ravi Shetty Byndoor described Govinda Babu Poojary as a leader in job creation, highlighting his efforts in promoting self-employment, adopting schools to ensure access to education, and prioritising skill development through organised training initiatives.
Retired judge Manunath Naik and actor S. Narayan observed that Poojary’s social service stands out for its sincerity, marked by a reluctance to seek publicity, and likened ChefTalk employees to disciplined soldiers contributing to society’s progress.
As part of the celebrations, over 100 employees from various ChefTalk units were honoured with Best Employee Awards. Cultural performances, including Yakshagana and dance, added colour and vibrancy to the milestone celebration.