Mumbai, India — The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Balvinder Lubana as Executive Chef, overseeing all culinary operations at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments, Mumbai.

With over 16 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Chef Balvinder brings with him a proven track record of culinary leadership, operational excellence, and people-focused management. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s diverse culinary portfolio, including signature restaurants, banquets, in-room dining, and large-scale events, with a strong emphasis on wellness-driven cuisine, sustainability, and elevated guest experiences, core pillars of the Westin brand philosophy.

Describing himself as passionate, guest-centric, and purpose-driven, Chef Balvinder believes that while exceptional food creates excitement, it is consistency, strong systems, and empowered teams that build long-term guest trust. Guided by the principle that “consistency builds trust,” his approach balances creativity with disciplined execution.

His leadership philosophy “Lead from the front, mentor with intent, and never compromise on quality or values” is deeply rooted in his commitment to developing talent. A strong advocate for mentoring young chefs, Chef Balvinder is dedicated to building confident, high-performing culinary teams where discipline, innovation, and mutual respect thrive.

Prior to joining The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, Chef Balvinder served as Executive Chef at Goa Marriott Resort & Spa, where he led culinary operations for a 190-room flagship resort, multiple food and beverage outlets, destination weddings, banquets, and a successful food truck concept. His career highlights include being a Member of the Marriott APEC Culinary Advisory Board, leading multi-hotel culinary operations, launching Marriott Bonvoy on Wheels to drive incremental revenue, and championing sustainability initiatives through the Marriott Environment & Sustainability Hub (MESH). He has also been consistently recognized for achieving top F&B guest satisfaction scores across South Asia.

Beyond the professional kitchen, Chef Balvinder enjoys exploring regional cuisines, traveling to discover local food cultures, fitness and strength training, long bike rides, and spending quality time with family. He finds balance by reconnecting with food in its simplest form through home-cooked meals, quiet coffees, and visits to local markets.

Goa remains his favorite destination in India, inspiring him with its honest flavors, coastal produce, and soulful approach to food and life. Internationally, the Mediterranean region influences his culinary outlook with its seasonal, ingredient-forward cuisine and deep connection between food, land, and community values that closely align with his own philosophy.

At The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, Chef Balvinder aims to further elevate the hotel’s culinary identity by seamlessly blending wellness, sustainability, and thoughtful menu design with operational discipline and financial stewardship, delivering meaningful and memorable dining experiences while nurturing the next generation of culinary leaders.

Mumbai, India – December 2024 With great pleasure, the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet-Marriott Executive Apartments announce Ekta Kanchan's appointment as Director of Marketing & Communications. With over 12+ years of broad experience in hospitality, F&B marketing, alcohol and beverage industries, Ekta brings a special fusion of creativity, strategic thinking, and operational knowledge to the position.

Speaking on the appointment the GM Hemant Tenneti says, “We are elated to see Ekta Kanchan in her new role at the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and are excited to welcome her. With her rich expertise and forward-thinking approach, Ekta is set to transform the way we connect with our guests and the market at large. Her leadership in marketing and communications will undoubtedly bring a fresh wave of innovation to The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake.”

At The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, Ekta aims to elevate the brand’s presence by blending data analytics with innovative marketing to create effective hyper-personalized campaigns at every touch point while focusing on increasing engagement. Her approach blends creative storytelling with data insights to ensure the tailored campaigns deeply connect with audiences. Her vision includes introducing wellness-focused initiatives and experimenting with tech forward strategies that align with The Westin’s brand ethos. She is also committed to fostering collaboration, mentoring her team, and aligning the marketing and public relation efforts with the property’s overarching business objectives.

Ekta Kanchan, Director of Marketing & Communications at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet - Marriott Executive Apartments in her new role comments, “I’m thrilled to gain this opportunity and look forward to working with each one within the team to create spectacular campaigns together. My goal is to craft experiences that leave a lasting impression and drive sustained growth. I will always encourage my team to trust their instincts, embrace challenges, and nurture creativity as it sets one apart. Stay curious, build meaningful connections, and I look forward to celebrating every win with you- big or small.”

A graduate in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from IHM Goa and a Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Graphic Design from Wigan & Leigh College, Ekta’s career is defined by her adaptability and ability to deliver results in a multitude of fields. Starting her career with Hyatt, as an Industrial Trainee. She managed to work in core operational departments including a fast paced Banquet Kitchen where she managed to thrive with quantity kitchen cooking and was recognised by the executive chef for her efforts and dedication. Her professional journey includes impactful stints with Accor, Zomato, Dineout, and Hill Zill Wines.

During her Management Training with Accor, she gained invaluable experience in hotel sales, which equipped her with a deep understanding of both the leisure and business aspects of a hotel, she soon learnt that while planning is everything, execution is the key—meticulous planning lays the foundation for success, but it’s the execution that truly defines the outcome. Her invaluable experience in the alcohol and beverage sector leant her a solid foundation in a variety of marketplaces by training her to navigate government policies, regulations, state-specific limitations in order for her to grow into a successful strategist for new launches pan-india. She expanded her knowledge in F&B marketing, market research, and consumer behavior by working with startups like Zomato and Dineout. These positions introduced her to the hustle culture and equipped her with the skills necessary to be impactful in a dynamic, fast-paced industry while producing remarkable outcomes. Ekta played a key role while at the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake to reopen the Mayouchi Restaurant and create a unique beverage program, and carry out a fruitful social media marketing campaign that greatly increased footfall and revenue.

With her appointment, Ekta will be forerunner in further cementing the Westin Mumbai Powai Lake’s positioning as a luxury destination within the city.