Around a couple of months ago, the alumni page of Mumbai’s St Xavier’s College called upon its ex-students to come over to Anna’s canteen, and savour his hit recipe — egg Burmese toast for one last time. After all, Uday Shetty aka Anna’s retirement would mean the end of an era. Batches of students had thrived on his double-omelettes and breads stuffed with sautéed tomatoes, onions, salt and pepper. While Shetty may be enjoying retirement life at his Ghatkopar home, there are many like him, who continue to helm the kitchens and canteen counters at colleges in the city.

Mukesh Rai, Jai Hind College, Churchgate
When Mukesh Rai started working as a canteen staffer at Churchgate’s Jai Hind College, a cup of tea was served for R2, and actor John Abraham was a nobody. Born in Patna, Rai moved to Mumbai in search of employment after his parents passed away. “A relative found out about the vacancy at the canteen and recommended my name,” he says. The 41-year-old started off as a kitchen help, where he would wash dishes, and later began working as a waiter. It’s only in the last couple of years that he has been assigned the cash counter. While this is a step up, Rai says he enjoyed his time as a waiter a lot more.