Rising from adversity: Timing was crucial in building Sandeep Sekhri's empire
Restaurateur thought his business was dead as Sars hit Hong Kong
Timing has played a crucial role in restaurateur Sandeep Sekhri's success. The managing director of Dining Concepts has established 19 restaurants in 10 years, including Lupa and Carnevino with celebrity chef Mario Batali.
Despite his achievements, Sekhri admits he wasn't the most academically minded person, and realised early on that he loved the hospitality industry because he liked working with people.
"Over the years, I've had to deal with everyone, from the dishwasher to general manager to celebrity chef," he says. "You have to put yourself in their shoes and adapt to how they would think and not necessarily force your thought process on them."
Sekhri came to Hong Kong 25 years ago from New Delhi and was determined to carve out a career for himself. After working as a restaurant manager for 12 years, he struck out on his own and established Dining Concepts, opening Bombay Dreams in Central in December 2002.
But just as he opened Bombay Dreams in Kowloon a few months later, Sars hit Hong Kong.
"We lost about 80 per cent of business in Kowloon and 50 to 60 per cent in Central overnight," Sekhri recalls. "We kept our fingers crossed in the hopes that no one in the building was diagnosed with Sars, otherwise it would be under quarantine for four weeks."