CHENNAI: From a professor at the University of Madras to one of the pioneers in the food industry M Mahadevan (fondly known as ‘Hot Breads’ Mahadevan) has had an interesting journey. After dabbling in real estate, he entered the ‘suicidal industry’ as he calls it, with `60,000 in hand. Now he works with more than 250 partners across 18 countries, 476 eateries and more than 4,000 employees. He runs three banners — Oriental Cuisines, CC Fine Foods and B&M Hot Breads. But he makes sure to do one thing: lot of charity work. “My mother taught me that if you have excess money, don’t splurge. Use it to help people,” he says. He shares tidbits about his life, falling in love, having two assets — his children and all about food.
Who was the driving force in your life?
I have three brothers and three sisters. My mother was an instrumental force in all our lives. If I am inclined towards women empowerment, it’s because of her. She made sure my sisters got a degree in either law or medicine. She believed that when you educate a girl, you educate the family. She taught me that what you earn is for the society — idhu un kassu illa oor kaasu (This is not your money; it belongs to the society).
What was the first vehicle you owned?
It was a Bajaj scooter that I bought with my own money — `12,260 in 1979
Any eye-opening moment in life?
There are two. One, I had helped build a shed for an NGO Little Drops, where an old lady held my hand and asked me to spend a few minutes with her. I realised that you need to spend time and not money with your loved ones. Second, I was having coffee at Starbucks in the US when a friend asked me help her feed 1,000 kids a day and she said it would just take about a rupee and 60p for a child’s breakfast. I realised that the cost of my coffee could feed kids for three months.
Your motto in life?
The day I stop helping people is the day I stop living.
How do you spend time with family?
I travel for 250 days in a year. When I’m travelling to Australia, I make it a point to make a stop at Singapore to spend time with my daughter. On my way to the US, I take a break in London to be with my son. Even if they are busy, I wait for them. They did for me when they were kids.
What do you do when you meet them?
Eat. We all are foodies. My daughter and I explore all these new places, whereas my son waits for me to come and take him to all these expensive restaurants in London.
Do you learn something from the younger generation?
My son is a financial wizard. We talk business and he keeps updating me on how certain restaurants work. He was the one who told me to pay my employees well. Though loyalty and commitment matters, until you pay them well they will not stick around.
What is your favourite cuisine?
I am a dosa person, love curries. Apart from these I love Italian food.
A cuisine you do not prefer?
Fusion food. In the West, there is a concept where the chef serves you 26-28 dishes all of his/her choice and it is expensive. It is not something I would bet on, because it is my stress buster.
A weird dish you have tasted.
It was in China. I tasted a dish that seemed like garlic dipped in soya sauce. I was later told that it was snake intestines filled with snake meat. My son was five then and he forbade me from kissing him (laughs).
Favourite city?
Paris. I can just have a croissant and a coffee and roam around the whole city. Every building there is an architectural marvel. But New York gives me energy.
How did you meet your wife?
I met her in Air India. I went to buy a ticket and bought a ticket for life (laughs). We dated for eight years.
Do you believe in god?
I am a god fearing person. I believe that there is a super power monitoring us 24X7. You need to be in your best behaviour, be sincere and not lie.