New roles for the industry’s movers and shakers
Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield
Bengaluru Marriott Whitefield has announced the appointment of Vimal Bhat as the associate director of sales. Bhat comes with sales experience of nine years in the hospitality industry and has worked with well known hospitality brands in India. He commenced his journey with the Marriott family six years ago and was one of the pioneers that Marriott had in the Bengaluru as a part of NSO team. After a successful stint in the NSO, he moved to the Marriott Whitefield in 2012 as a sales manager and played a critical role in the successful opening and positioning of the hotel with his invaluable market knowledge and excellent business relationships.
JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar
Chef Danish Merchant has been appointed as head chef at JW Café at JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar. He began his culinary journey in 2004. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Chef Merchant brings to the table his expertise in handling operations, training, planning, developing and executing new concepts and various trends for many renowned hotels. He was responsible for several kitchen operations at hotels like The Leela Palace Kempinski, Mumbai, The Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore, Vivanta by Taj, M G Road, Bangalore, Lake View Café – An All Day Dining Restaurant, Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel & Marriott Executive Apartments.
Chef Rungtiwa Sorlae has been appointed as the Thai chef. Chef Sorlae began her culinary journey in 2000. With over 14 years of experience in the industry, she brings to the table, her expertise in Thai cuisine, handling operations, training, planning, developing and executing new concepts and various trends for many renowned hotels. Chef Sorlae was responsible for several kitchen operations at hotels like Novotel Lotus, Bangkok, Set’z DLF, Promanage Mall, New Delhi, before she entered the Marriott family in 2011.
Chef Shubham Dhar has joined Delta Corp as corporate executive chef with the Deltin Group. He brings along his exposure to the various cultures with varied styles of operation. After finishing his schooling from St. Ignatius Loyola High School, Jamshedpur, he graduated from ITC Welcom Group of Hotel Administration in 2004 and started his culinary journey with the Taj group of hotels.
The Leela Palace Chennai
The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts has appointed KM Chengappa as general manager of The Leela Palace Chennai. He was previously the resident manager at The Leela Palace Bangalore. In his new role, Chengappa will oversee the 326-room Platinum Leed certified palace hotel, spanning six verdant acres with views of the Bay of Bengal. Inspired by the architectural opulence of the Chettinad Dynasty, and home to world-class restaurants and the internationally renowned ESPA spa, it has been ranked one of the best hotels by TripAdvisor. Prior to his appointment, Chengappa was an integral part of the pre-opening team of The Leela Palace Bangalore.
The Taj Group of Hotels
The Taj Group of Hotels has announced the appointment of Chinmai Sharma as chief revenue officer. In this newly created role, Sharma’s responsibilities would entail overseeing brand management, public relations, customer analytics, loyalty, digital strategy, global sales and revenue management. He commenced his hotel career 18 years ago with the Taj Group where he was part of the first revenue management group ever created in the company in 1997. He is a hotel management graduate from the Institute of Hotel Management, Jaipur. He holds a Diploma in Economics from the Indian Institute of Planning and Management, New Delhi and a joint MBA in Hospitality from IMHI/ESSEC Business School, Paris and Cornell Hotel School (M.M.H), New York.
Tux Hospitality
Chef Vijayant Rawat has joined Mosaic Hotels, Noida (owned and managed by Tux Hospitality), as the executive chef. He has 23 years of experience in the hospitality sector and association with upscale and luxury hotels including Jaypee Vasant Continental, New Delhi followed by Jaypee Palace Agra, Compass Group India and so on. Chef Rawat brings with him diversified knowledge in the field of hospitality and developed his expertise and strength in F&B, F&B operations, budgets, guest / client servicing, menu planning, kitchen management and kitchen operations.
The Claridges, New Delhi
The Claridges, New Delhi has appointed Chef Sahil Sabhlok as executive chef. Chef Sabhlok comes with over a decade of experience in the hospitality and restaurant industry. He will be instrumental in planning, implementing and overseeing the diverse and unique menus across all the restaurants. He will lead a team of talented young chefs, allowing each specialty restaurant to retain its core premium focus. Prior to joining The Claridges, New Delhi, he was with Taj Lands End, Mumbai and his career has also seen him play an integral role at various flagship hotels across the country over the years.
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels has appointed an independent director Pranab Kumar Choudhury on its board of directors. Choudhury is ex-chairman of ICRA and chief executive officer of Group ICRA. With a professional experience of over 43 years, Choudhury has, prior to joining ICRA, worked in the manufacturing, commercial banking, development banking, and merchant banking sectors. He is at present director on the board of Tata Capital Financial Services, and is chairman of Peerless Financial Services and Peerless Securities. He has been an independent director of ONGC, ONGC Videsh, Neyveli Lignite, IRFC, IRCON and STC as well as nominee director in Kajaria Ceramics, Dabur and Bharati Telecom, etc.