By BW Hotelier FOUR SEASONS Hotel Mumbai has appointed Chef Ilango S A as its new Executive Chef. With a career that has taken him to five continents, Chef Ilango has amassed a wealth of culinary experience over the last 20 years. Chef Ilango started his career as a commissary chef at Hyatt Regency New Delhi. From there, he went on to work with Radission, Le Meridien, Park Hyatt in Australia, The Empire Hotel and Country Club in Brunei and the iconic MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Chef Ilango's culinary tryst began in France, where his grandparents had moved. He would travel to Leon often, where he frequented the restaurant L'aubargu Du Pont de Collonges. It is here that he was introduced to the farm to table concept. He then went on to do his intensive training across kitchens in Europe, an experience that spanned three enriching years. Chef Ilango has experience in managing up to eight F&B outlets at a time and banquet spaces accommodating up to 1400 guests. Through his tenure, he has experimented with various styles of cooking, including handling a bakery. Chef Ilango first took up the position of Executive Chef (acting) at The Empire Hotel and Country Club, following which he was Executive Chef at Hilton Worldwide Chennai and TBIC Retreat and Spa. He has shown exemplary culinary as well as management skills in the course of his career. With his vast exposure to various cultures and cuisines, he aims to introduce a wave of culinary innovation at the property. He believes his strength lies in developing young talent. The greatest satisfaction comes from watching his team work well and bringing smiles to happy guests.
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By BW Hotelier THOMAS COOK (India) Ltd. has announced the appointment of Vishal Suri as Managing Director of Kuoni Travel (India) Pvt. Ltd. (see photo) effective January 4, 2016. Prior to the appointment, Suri headed the outbound portfolio as Chief Executive Officer ’ Tour Operating, Kuoni India. Rajeev Wagle, stepped down as Managing Director, Kuoni India with effect from January 4, 2016. Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said, ’It gives us great pleasure to appoint Vishal Suri as the Managing Director of Kuoni Travel (India) Pvt Ltd. Vishal comes with a wealth of experience. Over 22 years across a gamut of consumer centric industries like telecom, internet, and office automation; including over a decade in running travel businesses. We wish him every success in his new role.’ Menon added, ’We respect Rajeev Wagle’s decision to pursue his interests outside the organization and place on record our sincere appreciation for his contributions to building Kuoni-SOTC, as also his expertise and extensive experience of over 26 years, across industries.’
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By BW Hotelier RITESH SHARMA has been appointed the new General Manager of Taj Falaknuma Palace. Sharma holds a degree in Hotel Management from S.R.M Institute, Chennai. To further develop his management skills, he joined the Executive Management Program at the well renowned S.P Jain Institute of Management and went on to attain the Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the Indian Statistical Institute, which speaks volumes of his commitment towards process improvements. Sharma started his career with the Taj family 15 years ago, as Front Office Associate with the Taj Coromandel, Chennai. Thereafter, he rose from a Front Office Associate to Butler Operations Manager ’ his achievement was establishing the well-known 'Butler Program'; post which he was promoted as the Operations Manager at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. In 2006, Sharma was recognised for conceptualising the 'Best Guest Profile Management System'. With a desire to apply his learnings to a different industry, he moved from the Taj and joined the Mumbai International Airport in 2008, where he managed the busiest terminal at the domestic airport processing 16 million passengers a year. In 2012, he returned to the Taj family and was subsequently elevated as the Resident Manager of The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi. Sharma has evolved into a dynamic leader, recognized for his operational leadership capabilities.- He has an exceptional way of enhancing guest experiences, but most importantly nurturing his team and will most certainly take the iconic Taj Falaknuma Palace to greater heights of success.
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By BW Hotelier PRABHAKAR SINGH has been appointed as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences, the flagship property of AccorHotels in Eastern India. Singh will be responsible for guiding and motivating a team of 20 plus members of Sales & Marketing based in Kolkata and in three other metro cities in his current assignment. He will also provide innovative and inclusive leadership while capitalizing on his extensive knowledge and first-hand experience of handling different markets, segments and cultures. His previous assignment was at Vivanta by Taj ’ President, Mumbai as Director of Sales and Marketing. His tenure with Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces spans a period of 10 years across three geographies in the West, South and North of India with Taj Coromandel, Taj Club House, launching the 100th hotel of Taj Group in India ’ Vivanta by Taj ’ Gurgaon, NCR and Vivanta flagship Vivanta by Taj President, Mumbai. He has also worked with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts in Mumbai prior to his stint with the Taj Group.
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By BW Hotelier ABDUL NASIR Ahmed Shaikh has recently joined Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan as the General Manager. Prior to joining Courtyard by Marriott Chakan Pune, he was the Director of Operations at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre where he led the operations teams to drive sales and service to excellence. Known for his excellent leadership skills, innovative thinking and creative approach, Nasir has over 15 years of work experience to his credit. Since his first stint at Le Royal Meridien in 2000 as a Management Trainee, Nasir has worked across various verticals in the hospitality sector with brands like the JW Marriott and Westin among others. Apart for having experience with Indian hotel, Nasir has also worked in international markets like Azerbaijan and Oman. He comes from a thorough hospitality background with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Catering Operations. When not pressed hard at work Nasir loves to spend time with family.
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By BW Hotelier WITH AN experience of nine years in the hospitality industry, European Cuisine expert, Danish Merchant has been appointed as Executive Sous Chef (Cluster Role) at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and Lakeside Chalet ’ Mumbai, Marriott Executive Apartments. Chef Merchant will be responsible to oversee the entire kitchen operation including the alternative restaurants and the crew kitchen by initially monitoring all food preparation, presentation and delivery over the course of the day. Prior to joining Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, he was profiled as Senior Sous Chef at JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar as a part of the pre-opening team. He was also associated with other prestigious brands like by Taj, Bangalore, The Leela Palace Hotel and Resorts Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon & Kempinski, New Delhi He is recognized for achieving a perfect synchronization of tradition and modernity in culinary creations through continuous research and dynamism. He is proficient at conveying complex menu concepts in simple yet compelling manner through knowledge gained by theoretical and practical experiences. Chef Merchant graduated in Hotel Management and Tourism in 2006 from Rizvi College of Hotel Management & Catering Studies, Mumbai. He loves comforting the guests with his communication skills as he is an affluent Hindi, English and Urdu speaker.
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By BW Hotelier ABHISHEK SAHAI has been appointed as the new General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Agra. In his new role, Sahai will effectively leverage his experience of managing diverse leadership responsibilities of Guest Services, Rooms Division Management, F&B Operations, Administration, Project Management, conceptualizing events, driving revenues and managing human assets at Courtyard by Marriott, Agra. Sahai has over 15 years of experience in the core hospitality and customer oriented operations with luxury hotel chains like The Oberoi Group and The Leela Hotels. Prior to joining Marriott International, Sahai held the role of General Manager at The Leela Palace Udaipur. He worked with The Leela Group for over five years. Earlier he was associated with The Oberoi Group for a decade, where he had started his professional career. Sahai has studied an Executive General Management Program from IIM Lucknow, holds a post graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management from Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development, New Delhi, India as well as completed a 3-Year diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology from National Council of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Delhi under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. He also underwent Management Development Program from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Center of Executive Education.
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By BW Hotelier FAISAL NEFEES has taken over as the Director Operations at Hotel The Royal Plaza.’?Faisal has more than 15 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry.-He is a consistent performer with a proven track record of increasing revenues and streamlining workflow.-In his role as D, he will be responsible for developing procedures, business finance, oversee day-to-day operations and operational policies.-In his previous role at Hotel The Royal Plaza, Nafees was Executive Assistant Manager, he-set up the city’s highest lounge and bar ’Sky’. Nafees has in the course of his career, trained well on the key management disciplines of Operations, Sales & Marketing, Administration, Finance and Training, and has successfully handled multiple roles and responsibilities at the various organisations where he has worked. He has also been instrumental in planning and implementing effective training modules and team-building initiatives in order to ensure a conducive work environment. Nafees has worked with some of the most renowned names in the hospitality industry, including Lebua Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Group, Radisson, Elevate Nightclub, Taj Hotels and The Park, New Delhi. Over the span of his career, he has worked in numerous mid-and-senior management capacities, which has helped him to fully understand and appreciate the roles and responsibilities of all key positions within the hospitality space.
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