Rashmi Bhat, the Mumbai-born owner of 7 Monk's Cafe, an Indian and Mediterranean restaurant in New Braunfels, Texas, has drawn significant attention online for her unique hiring philosophy. Bhat recently posted a video explaining that she deliberately chooses not to hire individuals of Indian origin for her establishment, a revelation that has since gone viral.
Prioritizing Team Chemistry Over Ethnicity
Bhat, who launched 7 Monk's Cafe with her mother in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, stated directly in her video, "I don’t hire Indians at my Indian restaurant." This statement often surprises customers, who commonly assume that employees at ethnic restaurants should share the same cultural background as the cuisine being served.
However, Bhat clarified that her approach has always been to focus on building a strong, cohesive team rather than recruiting based on ethnicity or skin color. "When my mom and I opened 7 Monk’s Cafe, we didn’t set out to build an Indian team. We set out to build a great team, regardless of their skin colour," she explained. Her hiring pool includes a diverse array of individuals, from high school and college students to single mothers and retirees seeking new opportunities.
Learning and Adapting
Interestingly, Bhat noted that some of her employees had never tasted Indian food before joining 7 Monk's Cafe. Despite this initial unfamiliarity, many have since developed favorite dishes and confidently recommend menu items to customers, demonstrating their commitment and ability to learn.
Online Debate and Reactions
The video has ignited a flurry of reactions across social media platforms. While some users have supported Bhat's emphasis on merit and diversity, others have questioned whether her policy constitutes discrimination. Critics argue that deliberately excluding a particular race, even with good intentions, could violate labor standards.
"Yes you maybe aiming to set out a great team but setting aside Indians while hiring you are failing to meet the core labor standards as you are blatantly discriminating against a particular race. If labor department knocks at your door, you maybe penalised. Watch out," one user commented.
Another user challenged the authenticity of the cuisine, stating, "Nobody can cook authentic Indian food better than Indians. So guess your ‘Indian’ dishes are subpar and don't taste authentic but then locals wouldn't know the difference so it works for you." Others suggested the controversial statement was a marketing tactic designed to generate views, given the video's viral success.
Bhat's stance continues to fuel discussion about hiring practices, cultural expectations in ethnic restaurants, and the definition of a "great team."