Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Appoints Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef -Nazaara

Bengaluru, October 2025: Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal is delighted to announce the appointment of Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef-Nazaara. With over two decades of rich culinary experience across leading hospitality brands in India and abroad, Chef Asif brings his expertise in Indian, Mughlai and Awadhi cuisines to further elevate the hotel’s dynamic culinary offerings.

Chef Asif joins Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal from JW Marriott Bengaluru, where he served as Chef de Cuisine, curating exquisite dining experiences that celebrated Indian flavours with a contemporary touch. His illustrious career also includes key tenures at The Den Bengaluru, The Zuri Whitefield Bengaluru, ITC Fortune Select Trinity Bengaluru, Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar New Delhi, ITC Chola Sheraton Chennai, Radisson Hotel (GRT) Chennai, and ITC Maratha Mumbai. Internationally, he has led culinary teams at Daalchini Restaurant, Dubai, and Move N Pick Hotels, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Renowned for his mastery of traditional Indian cuisines, Chef Asif is passionate about infusing authenticity into every dish while seamlessly incorporating modern techniques and global influences. His approach combines deep-rooted culinary traditions with innovation, creating memorable dining experiences that resonate with today’s discerning guests.

Commenting on the appointment, Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, said, “We are delighted to welcome Chef Asif to our culinary team. His vast experience, especially in Indian and Awadhi cuisines, will add great value to our dining experiences. We look forward to his creative interpretations and the new energy he will bring to our culinary offerings.”

With Chef Asif at the helm, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal continues to reinforce its reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant dining destinations, offering guests a refined yet diverse gastronomic journey.

Sofitel Mumbai BKC appoints Maharaj Pratap Swami as Chef of Tuskers

The all-vegetarian specialty restaurant will benefit from Maharaj Swami’s expertise, including his deep-seated knowledge of Marwari, Punjabi and Gujrati cuisines

Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the elegant, luxury hotel in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, introduces Maharaj Pratap Swami as the new Chef at Tuskers. 

The all-vegetarian specialty restaurant, serving traditional local cuisine, will benefit from Maharaj Swami’s expertise, including his deep-seated knowledge of Marwari, Punjabi, and Gujarati cuisines. 

Maharaj Pratap spent the bulk of his professional career with the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Colaba, cooking for their Indian restaurants and banqueting events, especially weddings. He began learning cooking techniques and recipes from an early age from his father, who was also a Maharaj. He was also a part of the outdoor catering teams for a number of the Taj Group’s most prolific events, in places across the globe including Switzerland, Dubai, and Morocco.  

In his free time, Maharaj Pratap enjoys watching cricket and soccer, the latter of which he used to play in his youth. He is married, with three children.

Taj City Centre Gurugram welcomes Thai Master-Chef Nisa Yimthong

In a constant endeavour to offer unique and memorable experiences to its patrons, the Thai Pavilion at Taj City Centre, Gurugram is pleased to welcome its Thai Master Chef, Nisa Yimthong. As India’s first Thai fine dining brand and as one of the best restaurants in Delhi-NCR, Thai Pavilion has earned an iconic status since its inception in the nineties.

Hailing from Bangkok – the Thai Capital, Chef Nisa is extremely passionate about the cuisine. She derives inspiration from her grandmother who she believes is the force behind her passion for curating mouth-watering, authentic Thai food. Chef Nisa started accompanying her grandmother in the kitchen from a very young age, displaying keen interest and a flair for learning the culinary arts and enthusiastically assimilating the rich history of her country’s local cuisine. These childhood memories have been instrumental in inspiring the master chef in her.

Nisa has a degree in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management, Bangkok, Thailand (2004-2008) and she did her industrial training from Blue Elephant Restaurant, in Bangkok. Nisa has worked with Thai restaurants in various renowned international hospitality brands in Bangkok. Keen on exploring new opportunities, Chef Nisa moved to India in 2012 and worked as a Thai Chef at various hotels across geographies and had significant learning on guest preferences and culinary trends in the country. What started out as a hobby, now ignites the fire that drives Chef Nisa to prepare the most scrumptious Thai meals for the patrons of Taj City Centre, Gurugram.

Commenting on this new assignment, Master Chef Nisa Yimthong said, “It is a privilege to join the IHCL family and to lead the culinary journey at the famed Thai Pavilion. I have been in India for 10 years and always loved my experience at IHCL Hotels. I am delighted with the opportunity of joining the wonderful team at Taj City Centre Gurugram and I look forward to contributing great flavours and memorable gastronomic experiences for our guests.”

For guests who would like to savour Chef Nisa’s exquisite epicurean creations, a specially curated signature menu, comprising of the chef’s personal favourite Thai dish, The Kanom Jeen (Thai Curry with Rice Noodles) is available to relish from at Thai Pavilion, Taj City Centre Gurugram.