JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu appoints Sameer Bhargava as Director of Food & Beverage

Mumbai, India (August 2026): JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu is pleased to announce the appointment of Sameer Bhargava as Director of Food & Beverage. With 18 years of hospitality experience, including 12 years in food and beverage leadership, Sameer brings experience across luxury hospitality, diverse dining formats, and markets across India.

In his new role, Sameer will oversee the hotel’s restaurants, bars, banquets, and in-room dining, with a focus on evolving its culinary offering, creating relevant experiences for guests and diners, and developing the teams.

Sameer joins JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu from The Leela Palace Chennai, where he served as Director of Food & Beverage. During his tenure, he led a seven-venue operation, with responsibilities spanning culinary innovation, menu engineering, talent development, strategic partnerships, and business growth. He also worked on opportunities across the social, entertainment, and luxury segments, developing culinary, music, and luxury-led experiences that brought together different aspects of the city’s lifestyle landscape.

His earlier career has taken him across some of India’s leading luxury hospitality properties, where he has worked across fine dining, all-day dining, bars, and banquets. This includes managing diverse restaurant operations as well as large-scale in-room dining, giving him experience across the different facets of food and beverage.

Sameer has also completed the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Level 2 course, adding to his understanding of wine and beverage.

At JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, Sameer will bring together this experience as the hotel continues to develop its restaurants, bars, and dining experiences. His appointment comes at a time of further development for the hotel’s established food and beverage portfolio, as JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu continues to evolve its dining experiences, strengthen its existing venues, and explore new opportunities to engage guests and the city’s discerning diners. 

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri appoints Deepak Chaudhary as Director of Food & Beverage

With nearly 14 years of hospitality experience, Chaudhary will lead the hotel's food and beverage operations and dining experiences.

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri announces the appointment of Deepak Chaudhary as Director of Food & Beverage, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to enhancing its dining experiences and strengthening its leadership team.

Professional background

Having built a significant part of his career with Hyatt, Deepak brings nearly 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with extensive expertise across food and beverage operations, restaurant management, and service excellence. Most recently, he served as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, where he led large-scale operations, delivered marquee events, and contributed to driving operational excellence.

Industry experience

His professional journey includes leadership roles at Hyatt Regency New Delhi and Roseate House New Delhi, alongside experience in the beverage industry through key account management positions. A WSET Level 2 certified wine professional and certified departmental trainer, Deepak is known for his focus on service excellence, building high-performing teams, and creating memorable guest experiences.

New role

In his new role, Deepak will lead the hotel’s food and beverage operations, with a focus on operational excellence, innovative dining concepts, and elevating guest experiences across its restaurants and bars.

Director’s perspective

Commenting on his appointment, Deepak Chaudhary said, “The most memorable moments in hospitality often happen around a dining table. Whether it is a quick coffee before a meeting, a celebratory dinner, or an evening spent with friends, food has a unique way of bringing people together. I am excited to lead the food and beverage team at Hyatt Centric Janakpuri as we continue to create experiences that are thoughtful, distinctive, and rooted in genuine hospitality.”

The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments Appoints Amit Basu as Director of Food & Beverage

Mumbai, India — The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments is pleased to announce the appointment of Amit Basu as Director of Food & Beverage, overseeing all food and beverage operations across the property.

With over 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Amit brings a wealth of expertise across some of the world’s most renowned luxury and upscale hospitality brands, including Grand Hyatt, Sofitel, The Ritz-Carlton, and The Leela. Recognized for his passion for culinary innovation, guest experience, operational excellence, and sustainability, he has consistently delivered exceptional business results while building high-performing teams and memorable dining concepts.

In his new role, Amit will be responsible for driving the strategic direction of the hotel’s food and beverage division, including restaurants, bars, banquets, in-room dining, conferences, weddings, and large-scale events. He will focus on enhancing guest experiences, developing innovative dining concepts, driving revenue growth, and maintaining operational excellence across all touchpoints.

Describing himself as calm, stable, and focused, Amit believes that successful hospitality operations are built on balancing guest satisfaction with business performance. A key lesson he has learned throughout his career is that guest experience and profitability must go hand-in-hand, creating sustainable success for both guests and the organization.

His management philosophy is guided by what he calls Sincerity, Discipline, and Integrity. This principle forms the foundation of his leadership approach, enabling him to cultivate collaborative, accountable, and performance-driven teams. Amit is a strong advocate for mentoring talent and fostering a culture where innovation, operational discipline, and genuine hospitality thrive together.

Throughout his career, Amit has consistently achieved and exceeded food and beverage revenue and profitability targets while successfully leading restaurant promotions, seasonal campaigns, and beverage programs. His expertise in optimizing operational efficiencies through cost-control measures and process improvements has contributed significantly to business growth. He has also successfully managed large-scale banquets, conferences, weddings, and VIP events, delivering exceptional experiences while maintaining the highest service standards.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Amit enjoys exploring new restaurants, discovering emerging food and beverage trends, traveling, visiting vineyards and luxury hospitality destinations, and reading leadership-focused literature. He is particularly passionate about innovation and the continuous evolution of food and beverage concepts that elevate guest experiences and respond to changing market preferences.

To unwind and recharge, Amit follows a simple philosophy: "disconnect to reconnect," taking time to step away and return with renewed perspective and energy.

Kolkata, his hometown, remains his favorite destination within India, while London stands out as a city he enjoys visiting internationally for its rich culinary culture, history, and vibrant hospitality landscape.

At The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments, Amit aims to further strengthen the property's food and beverage positioning by introducing innovative guest experiences, enhancing operational efficiencies, championing sustainable practices, and fostering a culture of excellence that delivers meaningful and memorable dining experiences for every guest

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage

Bengaluru, July 2026: Reaffirming its commitment to refined dining experiences and operational excellence, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has appointed Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage.

With nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, including over fifteen years in leadership roles across India and the Middle East—Deepak brings extensive expertise in luxury food and beverage operations, strategic planning, team leadership, and enhancing guest experiences. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led large-scale restaurant and banquet operations for several renowned international hospitality brands, including Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Etihad Airways, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Taj Hotels.

“Situated in one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant locales, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has long been recognised as a flagship destination for elevated dining and exceptional hospitality. Food and beverage remain central to the guest experience we offer, and Deepak’s global exposure, strong operational acumen, and passion for service excellence make him a valuable addition to our team.” said Gaurav Sinha, Hotel Manager, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru

Sharing his thoughts on his new role, Deepak Pokhriyal said, “I am thrilled to join JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, a property that has set a benchmark for luxury hospitality and dining in the city. With its iconic location and reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most distinguished hotels, this is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to collaborating with the team to further strengthen the hotel’s culinary identity and curate dining experiences that are distinctive, thoughtful, and memorable for every guest.”

In his new role, Deepak will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, with a focus on elevating dining experiences, driving operational excellence, and strengthening the hotel’s culinary positioning across its restaurants, bars, and banquet spaces.

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage

Bengaluru, June 2026: Reaffirming its commitment to refined dining experiences and operational excellence, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has appointed Deepak Pokhriyal as Director of Food & Beverage.

With nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, including over fifteen years in leadership roles across India and the Middle East—Deepak brings extensive expertise in luxury food and beverage operations, strategic planning, team leadership, and enhancing guest experiences. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led large-scale restaurant and banquet operations for several renowned international hospitality brands, including Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Etihad Airways, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Taj Hotels.

“Situated in one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant locales, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has long been recognised as a flagship destination for elevated dining and exceptional hospitality. Food and beverage remain central to the guest experience we offer, and Deepak’s global exposure, strong operational acumen, and passion for service excellence make him a valuable addition to our team.” said Gaurav Sinha, Hotel Manager, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru

Sharing his thoughts on his new role, Deepak Pokhriyal said, “I am thrilled to join JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, a property that has set a benchmark for luxury hospitality and dining in the city. With its iconic location and reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most distinguished hotels, this is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to collaborating with the team to further strengthen the hotel’s culinary identity and curate dining experiences that are distinctive, thoughtful, and memorable for every guest.”

In his new role, Deepak will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, with a focus on elevating dining experiences, driving operational excellence, and strengthening the hotel’s culinary positioning across its restaurants, bars, and banquet spaces.

Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Elevates Sourav Pal Chowdhury to Director of Food & Beverage

Hyderabad, India - May , 2026: Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel announces the elevation of Sourav Pal Chowdhury to Director of Food & Beverage. This follows a successful tenure as Assistant Director, where he played a key role in strengthening the hotel’s food and beverage operations.

A seasoned hospitality professional with nearly 18 years of experience, Sourav has worked with leading global brands including Conrad, Hilton, and Hyatt. At Sheraton Hyderabad, he is known for his detail-oriented approach and people-first leadership style, contributing to enhanced guest experiences and strong team engagement.

In his new role, Sourav will oversee the strategic and operational direction of the hotel’s F&B division, including its signature dining venues such as Feast and Zega, along with banqueting, in-room dining, and Marriott Bonvoy on Wheels. His focus will be on driving consistency in service standards, strengthening guest experiences, and supporting sustainable business growth.

Commenting on his elevation, Sourav Pal Chowdhury said:
"I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the leadership team. I strongly believe that consistency in quality and service remains key, even in a dynamic market. I look forward to contributing further to the hotel’s growth and delivering meaningful dining experiences for our guests."

This elevation reflects Sheraton Hyderabad’s continued commitment to nurturing internal talent and reinforcing its position as a leading hospitality destination in the region.

Nikhil Bhaskaran Appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune

India, April 2026: The Ritz-Carlton, Pune is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Nikhil Bhaskaran as Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing over 10 years of distinguished experience in luxury hospitality, Nikhil joins the leadership team with a proven track record of elevating dining experiences and driving operational excellence.

 In his new role, he will oversee the hotel’s diverse food and beverage portfolio, including signature restaurants, bars, in-room dining, and banqueting operations. He will focus on curating innovative culinary concepts, enhancing guest experiences, and strengthening the hotel’s position as a leading dining destination in Pune.

Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, Nikhil served as Food & Beverage Manager at Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi, where he led multi-outlet operations, driving revenue growth through strategic planning, menu engineering, and experiential dining initiatives. He also held key leadership roles at The Lodhi, New Delhi, where he played an instrumental role in achieving record-breaking revenues, executing successful food pop-ups, and elevating the hotel’s dining experiences.

Nikhil’s expertise spans concept development, team leadership, and guest-centric innovation. His career also includes valuable experience with renowned luxury brands such as The Leela Palace and The Oberoi Amarvilas, where he honed his foundation in service excellence and hospitality leadership.

At The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, he will spearhead the food and beverage operations, with a vision to refine dining concepts, optimize performance, and craft distinctive guest experiences aligned with the hotel’s commitment to luxury and exceptional service.

 Commenting on his appointment, Nikhil said, I am honoured to join The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, a brand globally renowned not only for its exceptional service but also for its distinctive dining experiences. I look forward to working with the talented team to further elevate the hotel’s culinary offerings.”

Le Méridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR welcomes Sanjeev Ranjan as Director of Food & Beverage

Le Méridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, has announced the appointment of Sanjeev Ranjan as its new Director of Food & Beverage. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ranjan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role.

Born and raised in Bihar, Ranjan began his hospitality journey in Delhi during his academic years. Throughout his career, he has been associated with esteemed hospitality brands such as Courtyard Chennai, JW Marriott Chandigarh, and Sheraton Grand Chennai. He has also played a pivotal role in the pre-opening of notable properties including JW Maldives, Sheraton Grand Whitefield, and Sheraton Mahabalipuram, demonstrating his capability to lead dynamic teams and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Ranjan is renowned for his culinary passion and innovative approach, establishing himself as a trendsetter in the evolving world of food and beverage. Prior to joining Le Méridien Gurgaon, he served as a Director of Food & Beverage for over two years, where he successfully implemented new concepts and enhanced the guest dining experience.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ranjan is an avid traveler who has explored over 20 countries, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and cuisines. This global perspective continues to influence his professional vision, ensuring creativity and excellence in every endeavor.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new role, Ranjan stated, "I am thrilled to join the Le Méridien Gurgaon family and look forward to curating extraordinary culinary experiences while upholding the brand’s legacy of sophisticated hospitality."

Le Méridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, is confident that Ranjan's leadership will elevate the hotel's food and beverage offerings to new heights, further enhancing the guest experience.

Prasad Patil appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at The Westin Goa

Prasad is a seasoned professional with over 15.5 years of experience in Hospitality Industry. He started his career in 2007 and has worked with leading brands like Marriott International, Starwood Hotel & Resorts, Intercontinental Hotel Group & Indian Hotel Company Limited. Prasad has a great hand in resolving problems, improving customer satisfaction & driving revenues. He is enthusiastic and is always eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills.

Prasad has an in-depth understanding in operations front for Food & Beverage department. He has joined Westin with a clear to continue and elevate Westin Goa success story achieving guest satisfaction and revenue targets while creating innovative service offerings. In his new role, he will review and launch new menus, curate award-winning services, conceptualize and improvise, enhance food & beverage offerings, additionally train and empower staff to curate bespoke experiences for guest in his capacity as Director of Food & Beverage.

During his tenure at various notable hotel groups, he has received awards for being ‘All Rounder of the year’, ‘Best Performer of the year’ and had recently received ‘Manager of the year’ in the year 2019. Prasad has consistently demonstrated a track record of being guest-focused and enhancing performance.