Eventful management

He returned to India in 1998 after an almost 20-year stint of study and work in the hospitality industry in the US. "I am passionate about my work. Ever since I was young I wanted to join the hospitality field,” says wedding and corporate event coordinator Percy Lentin. "Whe­ther you are planning a wedding, business conference, any other function or simply a holiday party, you probably do not know where to start, who to contact and what quality assurances to have when contracting vendors,” he explains. "Perhaps you have a budget and time constraints as well. Don’t worry, we can manage the whole event for you, leaving you with the fun part, enjoying yourself and taking the credit!”

"No matter which part of the world you are, if you contact me on the e-mail I will do everything — right from going around to the different venues, to finding available dates, coordinating the quotations for the stage, flowers, food, music, photographer, liquor permit, etc and give you regular progress reports,” he asserts. With big fat fusion weddings an important part of people’s lives and young couples daring to be different and wanting to be noticed, Lentin himself has invested in many innovations to dress up the ambience. "I have Persepolis pillars, as well as several statues. No, the statues are not made of plaster of paris. They are of marble. Beautiful fabricated gate screens protect the privacy of your function from curious passers-by; fabricated domes lend a different look. Soft fabric arches can be synchronized with a color scheme for flowers. White picket fences strategically placed can aesthetically separate the parking areas or protect valuables like the sés and gifts received,” he narrates. Lentin also provides a valet parking service. "I do a study of the area first. If the venue is such that it does not lend for valet parking, I will say no,” he states. Lentin also coordinates theme parties.

Percy Lentin (above) with examples of his innovations to dress up the ambience

With 11 years’ experience in the field in India, he knows the ropes. "We were among the first to introduce skirting and bows (for the tables and chairs). American-style covers in one piece in off-white or maroon, they make the end product look so much better. Whether you pay Rs 20,000 or Rs 6,000, we give the same personal supervision. If deserving, I even work free. All should have a memorable function. If they are happy I am happy,” declares Lentin who is Bombay-based.

A graduate in hospitality management from California State University, Lentin has worked for well-known chains like Olive Garden Restaurants and Hyatt Hotels in the US. Working his way up from management trainee to assistant restaurant and banquet manager to F&B (food and beverage) director, he recalls he had three restaurants under him as well as banquets. As banquet manager at the Hyatt, he was responsible, he states, for organizing a dinner for former president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy. "We were used to working very long hours, leaving home at six in the morning and returning after midnight. I remember on one occasion I was so tired on my way back that I was falling asleep at the wheel and the car was weaving from side to side. The police patrol noticed this and made me pull over. They called the hotel to verify and realizing this was a genuine case of exhaustion they escorted me all the way home!”

Lentin says he is very keen to open a restaurant for fine dining. "I am a chef also and I would love to do this if I can find the right financier,” he says. As far as event coordination is concerned "we will not undertake your work unless we are confident that we can do an excellent job and that includes making sure that we do not over commit our diary by taking on too many events,” so that the causes for celebration remain memorable, even when the albums have turned sepia! Lentin can be contacted on e-mail (plgogetter77@gmail.com) or on 98200 58988.