Appointment | Akanksha Katiyar Khandare joins Hyatt Regency Chennai as Front Office Manager

She will be spearheading front office management and guest experience in the hotel

Hyatt Regency Chennai has announced the appointment of Akanksha Katiyar Khandare as the Front Office Manager.

Khandare brings with her over 11 years of hospitality experience where she will be seen spearheading front office management and guest experience in the hotel.

She joined Hyatt Regency Chennai as Assistant Manager Front Office and has grown today to lead the front office team.

During her journey in the hospitality industry, she has been recognized for her work and has been awarded as Covid Warrior by IHC London and IIHM Bengaluru along with other accolades such as being awarded Hystar Diamond for having maximum guest recognition in the property Q4 2018.

She is an avid reader and loves to write poems during her leisure time.

Appointment | The Roseate New Delhi appoints Rajesh Sharma as Executive Chef

Chef Sharma has over two decades of experience and excels in the field of culinary art, especially in haute and wellness cuisine

The Roseate New Delhi has announced the appointment of Rajesh Sharma as its new Executive Chef. Chef Sharma has over two decades of experience and excels in the field of culinary art, especially in Haute and wellness cuisine.

He also specializes in progressive Indian and modern European Cuisine. With over a decade of experience, Chef Rajesh’s hospitality journey holds includes some Indian and International names like Radisson in Gurgaon, The Grand New Delhi, Leeu Collection in South Africa and Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa in Thailand.

Chef Sharma is known to adopt innovative and unique approaches in the kitchen. He brings simple yet sophisticated variations to the table pleasing even the most discerning guests.

In his personal time, Chef Sharma enjoys watching movies and spending quality time with his family.

New Opening | NH Hotels Announces Upcoming Debut of Brand in Middle East Region

We are excited to announce the upcoming debut of NH Hotels in the Middle East region later this year with the launch of NH Dubai The Palm. Currently in the final stages of development, the new-build 533-key property will open its doors in December.

Located on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, a global landmark, and within easy reach of the city’s key tourist attractions including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina, NH Dubai The Palm will offer 227 hotel guest rooms and suites, in addition to 306 serviced apartments. Facilities will include multiple restaurants and bars, three spa treatment rooms, a fully-equipped gym, a kids’ club and four meeting rooms.

With a bold and colorful interior and local character reflecting the pulse of the dynamic city of Dubai, the new 14-storey hotel will introduce new hot spots to The Palm, including a lively sports bar and a stylish rooftop bar and lounge alongside the infinity pool, all west facing and perfect for enjoying city’s famous sunsets.

NH Dubai The Palm will be the first of the brand to launch in the Middle East and will join an existing portfolio of over 240 NH Hotels properties, which are known for their quality of services and facilities.

New Opening | Avani Hotels Debuts on Bali’s Hottest Corner

We are excited to announce that Avani Hotels is entering Indonesia with the debut of Avani Seminyak Bali Resort, scheduled to open on 1st June 2021.

Avani Seminyak Bali Resort at a glance:

• The resort features 16 spacious private pool villas and 21 residential suites perfect for the long-staying traveler.

• The main dining outlet - GROOVE, serves classic Balinese cuisine as well as Indonesian regional favorites.

• Island excursions include beach hopping, surfing lesson, and strolling through the various art galleries in Seminyak.

• Discover the charming side of Seminyak, hop on a scooter and ride up to Canggu, discovering the eclectic collection of cafes as well as hidden beaches.

• The resort is situated just a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

PRODUCT | Roastery Coffee introduces a new range of Specialty Coffees from 2021 Harvest

Roastery Coffee, one of the leading artisanal specialty coffee brands in India, has introduced coffees from Salawara Estate and Tribe- O- Project from 2021 harvest, for all the “coffeeholics”. 

The brand is excited to have collaborated with Salawara Estate as its new partner farm this year. Salawara literally means “a string of blessings”. Located in the lush foothills of India’s Western Ghats near Sakleshpur in Belur region, this estate is spread over 145 hectares. Established by the Britishers in the late 1880s. The coffee crop from the Salawara estate is successfully inter-cropped with pepper, Areca nut, oranges, and silver oak trees which brings in the perfect balance of richness and heritage. The two variants of Salwara Estate Coffee available at Roastery Coffee are “Yeast Fermented” in Tasting Notes of Apple, Sugarcane and Green Apple and “Carbonic Marceration” in Tasting Notes of Candied Apple, Tangerine and Hibiscus.

The other newly launched coffee by Roastery Coffee is the wild-grown coffee from the Tribe-O-Project. Tribe-O Koraput Coffee is unique for being semi-wild, growing in the forests of Koraput, Odisha at 1000 MSL, instead of well-organized estates or plots of land. It is grown in the forested hills of Koraput, where the tribal farmers do not own the forest land but have permission to harvest the coffee cherries from it. The forests where the coffee plants grow are dense and the plants grow far apart from another in the natural foliage. This makes it challenging to pick the ripe coffee cherries and the process is slow and laborious. Tribe-O Koraput Coffee farming is an agricultural activity carried out mostly by the women in the tribal villages of Koraput.  The brand is proud to be a part of Tribe-O-Project’s journey to make coffee farming more commercially relevant to the indigenous peoples of Koraput, while retaining their age-old tradition of living in harmony with nature. With notes of Gooseberry, Cacao and Black Tea, the coffee has a unique and interesting flavor.

So now you can enjoy these newly launched specialty coffees either by visiting Roastery Coffee House in Hyderabad and Kolkata or by ordering online for brewing pleasure at home.

For placing the orders, please visit www.roasterycoffee.co.in

Pricing: Salawara Estate Rs 470 onwards

Tribe-O-Project Rs 400 onwards

Roastery Coffee House:

Hyderabad: Roastery Coffee House, 8/2/287/12, House 418, Road 14, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 

Kolkata: Roastery Coffee House, 70 B, Calcutta South India Club, Gariahat, Kolkata

 About Roastery Coffee

Roastery Coffee is one of the best specialty coffee roasters with cafes in Hyderabad and Kolkata. Founded in 2017 by Nishant Sinha, exquisite yet innovative Roastery Coffee was curated with one unrelenting goal that is: to create flawless & consistent coffee, perfect for quenching the thirst of many coffeeholics all around the world. The USP of the brand is that the coffee is sourced directly from India's finest farms and roasted on Giesen Coffee Roasting Machine. Roastery Coffee House, the in-house cafe of the brand, also offers a complete dining experience to its patrons.

Media Contact:

The Hatch Project:  Sonali Priy Kapoor | sonalipriy@thehatchproject.in |   + 91 99531 37673            

NEWS | Agri-Tourism fits the bill for those looking for a holiday post pandemic: Valsa Nair

Agri-Tourism fits the bill for those looking for a holiday post pandemic

The Principal Secretary - Tourism & Culture, Maharashtra Tourism speaks about the state’s agri-tourism program and how it would help provide unique experiences for guests and much needed extra income in rural areas.

For a country that has more than 60 per cent of its population living outside of the cities, the agri-tourism industry is surprisingly still in its infancy. The state of Maharashtra was the first state in the country to realise the potential of agritourism. It is also the state with the most high-end agri-tourism resorts (in the vineyards of Nashik). ETHospitalityWorld spoke with Valsa Nair, Principal Secretary - Tourism & Culture, Maharashtra Tourism about their plans for the segment.

“More and more travellers are seeking environment-friendly holidays. Currently, people are experiencing lockdown fatigue, and there will be a demand for travel post lockdown. Travellers will look for less crowded destinations offering them meaningful experiences and agri-tourism or farm-tourism fits these requirements,” Nair began by explaining.

Maharashtra had great potential in agri-tourism, because of its climatic conditions and diverse agri products as well as varied rural traditions and festivals. The state had been at the forefront of implementing and promoting agri-tourism, rural tourism, and sustainable tourism in the country, she said.

Last year, Maharashtra had announced a new agri-tourism policy which underlines the importance of agri-tourism initiatives for sustaining rural economic development as it allowed farmers to diversify their income, regenerate communities, encourage agriculture-related businesses, and provide employment to young women based in rural areas, she said adding that the implementation process of the policy had already begun. “We have reached out to the farming community to educate them about the policy as well as to conduct capacity-building programs,” Nair said.

“We do not look at farm tourism as day-long activities alone. There are 328 agro-tourism centres with accommodation which provide ‘back to nature experiences for the guests,” she added. There were currently 328 agri-tourism centres across 29 districts in Maharashtra including Pune, Aurangabad, villages near Nagpur, and the tribal belt of Thane district. These centres recorded 4.7 lakh, 5.3 lakh and 7.9 lakh tourist visits in 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively—which helped farmers to generate a cumulative income of INR 55.79 crore. The initiative also helped create more than 1 lakh jobs for women and youth in the rural areas, Nair added.

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KFC, Pizza Hut operator DIL files for INR 1,400 crore IPO

The Initial Public Offering is looking to raise INR 400 crore via issuance of fresh equity shares and an offer of sale of upto 125,333,330 equity shares by Investor Selling Shareholder, Dunearn Investments (Mauritus) Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings and Promoter Selling Shareholders, RJ Corp Ltd.

NEWS | Novotel Hyderabad Airport introduces “Work from Hotel”

Novotel Hyderabad Airport introduces “Work from Hotel” 

17th May 2021, Hyderabad: The growing concerns surrounding the pandemic and lockdowns have made companies practice WFH again, and employees are on a constant lookout for safer & relaxed workspace options to break the monotony of working from home, obviously with greater emphasis on enhanced hygiene and sanitization. Novotel Hyderabad Airport has announced “Work from Hotel” and there are innumerable options to choose from, one can either pick a spot in a traditional meeting room or if you like to be surrounded by nature then Novotel Hyderabad Airport is the spot for you. the hotel boasts of the lush green cover present in the hotel and if you are lucky enough you might even spot few migratory birds around, there have various alfresco seating options that one can choose from and they are perfect to enjoy a cup of coffee while one peruses to achieve their work deadlines, not only this you can even bring your furry friends along for them to enjoy various dog treats curated by our chefs at the hotel. Also, the hotel takes care of all your work needs be it highly effective WIFI, basic stationery, or printouts. 

Novotel Hyderabad Airport will also provide amenities like Super-Fast WIFI (Out Door /Indoor), Dedicated Plug & Play Office Space, Office Essentials Kit, Unlimited Tea & Coffee, Immunity Booster Drinks, Housekeeping services, and much more. 

 According to Mr. Rubin Cherian, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, “Keeping in mind the present developments we are providing a safe, alternative working space to individuals and organizations looking to work remotely. Our functional indoor and outdoor spaces are vibrant and conducive to fuelling innovation, productivity, and meaningful collaboration and at the same time adhere to the safety and hygiene standards. We are working with corporates and businesses to offer personalized solutions to meet their requirements” 

About Novotel-

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed as comforting and energizing places where guests can ‘press pause’ and take time to enjoy the moments that really matter. The brand’s wide array of hotels, suites, and resorts offer a multitude of services for business and leisure guests alike, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious choices; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for the youngest guests; multi-purpose lobbies and accessible fitness centers. Novotel, which has over 530 locations in more than 60 countries, is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,000 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. For more information and reservations visit all.accor.com or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. novotel.com | group.accor.com

Element by Westin® Announces Opening of Element Philadelphia, the Largest Property for the Global Eco-Conscious Brand

The 460-Room Hotel Opens its Doors to Travelers Just in Time for Summer, Featuring a Range of Wellness-Inspired Amenities Geared Towards Families, Groups and Business Travelers

Element Hotels – part of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 leading brands and designed for today’s healthy, active traveler – announced today the opening of Element Philadelphia, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Developed by Conshohoken-based Chestlen Development, the hotel will be the newest addition to Philadelphia’s reemerging hospitality scene, with travelers planning an average of 2.7 trips this year, according to a recent Visit Philadelphia report. Designed with a focus on sustainability and well-being, Element is ideal for families, groups, and business travelers who want to maintain a balanced lifestyle while on the road.

“Bringing the Element brand to Philadelphia was a strategic decision to appeal to the wellness-minded modern traveler, who is looking for self-sufficiency, more space to recharge, and amenities that align with their lifestyle,” stated Edward Baten, Complex General Manager, Element Philadelphia. “As the needs of travel, work and leisure have evolved over the last year, our offering is better suited than ever before to welcome guests with a range of work and life demands. Our flexible accommodations will open at a time when it’s needed most for leisure and business travelers alike.”

Element Hotels has redefined the longer stay experience with a design philosophy that encourages guests to recharge and find focus. This approach is seen throughout Element Philadelphia, the brand’s largest property globally. The hotel’s 460 bright and modern guest rooms are positioned in an ideal Center City location and boast impressive views of Philadelphia’s historic architecture and skyline. The sunlit Sky Lobby will offer open seating for work and relaxation, and a range of safe, socially distanced amenities for guests to utilize. Fully equipped kitchens in every room, a business center, Motion Fitness center and guest laundry services create flexible work-from-anywhere possibilities.

At Element Philadelphia, guests will be energized with a food and beverage program that prioritizes fresh, healthy ingredients. A complimentary Rise breakfast starts the day and the Relax evening reception invites guests to unwind together in the Sky Lobby. Balanced grab-and-go meals, snacks and beverages are available from the Restore gourmet pantry, which features products from local producers. In addition, guests are invited to eat well from the comfort of their own room. With kitchens stocked with everything needed to create a home-cooked meal, Element hopes to inspire guests by introducing local culinary and nutritional voices to provide easy-to-follow recipes. These digital recipes and meal ideas, which will be accessible via in-room QR codes and in pre-arrival emails, will feature fresh, local ingredients that can be picked up at iconic neighborhood markets such as Di Bruno Brothers and Reading Terminal Market.

Designed to get visitors moving, Element Philadelphia features a Bikes to Borrow program with its custom-designed Priority Bicycles in unmistakable Element green. The Bikes to Borrow program provides suggested routes to help guests experience the city’s history, art, or nearby bike trails.

Whether on two wheels or walking with a four-legged friend, Element encourages guests and their pets to explore more. Element’s pet-friendly program includes a signature dog bed, treats, water bowls, eco-friendly clean-up supplies, and more for travelers visiting with pets.

Element Philadelphia offers more space for guests to live their lives in rooms ranging in size from a Standard guest room to Deluxe and Executive guest rooms, to One Bedroom Suites. The signature Westin Heavenly® beds and spa-inspired bathrooms feature rain showers designed to infuse a sense of calm.

Element is proud to be green from the ground up and has built a smarter, better place to stay. When choosing materials, Element Philadelphia’s design team pioneered an eco-friendly, sustainable design that improves hotel air quality, minimizes pollutants and chemicals, and gives guests ample access to natural light, resulting in a cleaner, healthier environment. The hotel also integrates eco-friendly materials and practices into its design in a variety of ways, including:

• Electric vehicle charging stations

• Guestrooms featuring carpets with up to 100% recycled content

• Wall art mounted on a base made from recycled tires

• Walls featuring low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints

• Bathrooms featuring low-flow faucets and fixtures

• Silverware and glassware provided, minimizing single-use plastics and disposable waste

• Recycling is made easy with bins in every guestroom and throughout public spaces

• Filtered water is available in all guestrooms and in the public spaces through a dispenser unit

• Element Philadelphia uses only 100% recycled postconsumer wastepaper for all printing and stationery needs

Element Philadelphia will soon provide access to over 45,000 square feet of purpose-built event space, fully adaptable for the changing dynamics of indoor meetings, events and celebrations.

Guests of Element Philadelphia can travel with confidence with services adapted for COVID-19, adhering to Marriott’s Commitment to Clean standards throughout their stay, including contactless check-in, social distancing, increased cleanliness protocols, and new UV-light cleaning technologies. Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, the Marriott Cleanliness Council has redefined cleaning and safety standards.

Element Philadelphia is located at 1441 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. For more information, to book an event or learn more about the hotel’s offerings, visit www.elementphiladelphia.com. You can also follow the hotel on Instagram and Facebook @elementphiladelphia.

About Element Hotels
With more than 65 hotels across North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and the Asia Pacific, Element Hotels is designed for today’s healthy, active traveler who wants to maintain the balance of daily routines while on the road. Offering many of the comforts of home, Element caters to those looking to stay both short and long-term. All hotels have an outdoor-inspired, sustainability-focused design philosophy and feature spacious and airy guest rooms with in-room kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, and signature Heavenly® Beds. The brand’s signature amenities include a complimentary healthful Rise breakfast and a Relax evening reception. Always prioritizing guest wellness, all hotels are equipped with 24/7 Motion Fitness centers, all-natural saline pools, and a Bikes to Borrow program. Further increasing flexibility and convenience for small groups, Element now offers Studio Commons, a one-of-a-kind room concept with private communal space to cook, convene, or relax together. For more information, visit www.elementhotels.com and follow along on Facebook and Instagram. Element is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is the award-winning travel program from Marriott International that encompasses the company’s global portfolio of 30 hotel brands and premium home rental offering Homes and Villas by Marriott International. When members book directly with Marriott, they earn points for every stay, have access to member-only rates, and can take full advantage of the features in the Marriott Bonvoy app that delivers a seamless travel experience. Using Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards from Chase and American Express, members accumulate even more points when making purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, converted into miles with the program’s airline partners, and more. As members stay more often at participating properties, they achieve elite status providing even more benefits, including bonus points, enhanced Wi-Fi, and guaranteed late checkout. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit MarriottBonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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41 hotels managed by Concept Hospitality accorded with TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award 2021

Out of these 41 hotels, 36 are managed under the Fern brand, one Zinc by The Fern, 3 under Beacon Hotels and one independently branded hotel

As many as 41 hotels & resorts managed by Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd have won the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award 2021. Out of these 41 hotels, 36 are managed under the Fern brand, one Zinc by The Fern, 3 under Beacon Hotels and one independently branded hotel.

Congratulating all the team members at the winning hotels, Noshir A Marfatia, Senior Vice President - Sales & Marketing said, "It is a matter of great pride for us that so many of the hotels patronized by our guests have been so well appreciated by travelers across the country."

We have been continuously striving for excellence and this recognition is a testimonial to the fact that we are on the right track, Noshir added. He exhorted all his General Managers to excel and ensure that more of their hotels achieve the award next year.

TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the Travelers’ Choice honourees. It takes into account the quality, quantity and recency of reviews and opinions submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period, as well as a business’s tenure and ranking on the Popularity Index on the site.

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Hyatt News | Hyatt announces the launch of more than 160 Hyatt Loves Local collaborations

Hyatt Loves Local has evolved to further meet the current needs of Hyatt communities and guests, including collaborating with more minority-owned and female-owned businesses and delivering reimagined experiences.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced Hyatt hotels across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia regions have launched more than 160 Hyatt Loves Local collaborations in a continued effort to help revitalize and advance care to communities and small businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the success of the 2020 community-driven initiative, which provides complimentary resources and exposure to select local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic, Hyatt Loves Local has evolved to further meet the current needs of Hyatt communities and guests, including collaborating with more minority-owned and female-owned businesses and delivering reimagined experiences inspired by the new travel landscape. In turn, Hyatt Loves Local connects those in-need directly with Hyatt guests and locals through distinctly local offerings, including wellbeing, arts and entertainment, “voluntourism,” traveling with pets and culinary experiences.

Aligned with Hyatt’s Change Starts Here commitment to accelerate Hyatt’s longstanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, nearly half of the 100 participating hotels are teaming up globally with more than 65 minority-owned and female-owned businesses, two groups that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

“Based on how enthusiastically guests and colleagues embraced Hyatt Loves Local since launch last year, we are excited to expand the program with more than 100 new community collaborations that truly support the people, businesses and organizations that are the foundation of the local communities in which Hyatt hotels operate,” said Amy Weinberg, senior vice president, loyalty, brand marketing and insights “Hyatt has been advancing care across communities for more than 60 years and to see Hyatt’s role helping small businesses thrive through Hyatt Loves Local last year has been a rewarding experience. We are proud to continue supporting communities while simultaneously offering our guests experiences that celebrate the future and recovery of travel.”

The latest Hyatt Loves Local trends and collaborations include:

• Emphasizing Wellbeing: With a focus on safety first and wellbeing always, Hyatt is reimagining the hotel journey with new wellbeing amenities and offerings that support local wellness providers who were forced to reduce or reshape their offerings during the pandemic:
o Hyatt Regency Chandigarh is collaborating with wellness brand H2 Origin. The brand had to permanently close their brick-and-mortar space, so the hotel is providing complimentary space in the hotel’s Amaira Spa & Club to lead guided meditation and yoga classes for guests beginning May.

• Pet Projects: Pet adoptions boomed during the pandemic lockdown with many travelers planning to bring their furry friends along for their next trip. Hyatt hotels are collaborating with local pet businesses to offer pampering and perks to pet travelers:
o Andaz Delhi is working with animal rescue, medical and adoption shelter, Touch and Treat Animal Trust, to build a community where people value and respect stray animals. Guests are invited to volunteer daily to help feed strays or with rescue missions to support this very important cause. This collaboration began in March 2021 and will be ongoing through the year.
o Grand Hyatt Goa is supporting local NGO, Welfare for Animals (WAG) - an organization dedicated to rescuing stray animals from the streets of North Goa. As part of this collaboration, animal-lovers staying on property have the opportunity to spend a day volunteering to help injured and stray animals under the care of WAG. Alternatively, guests can sponsor an animal for a year as a way to ensure their long-term care. This collaboration began in 2018 and is ongoing through 2021.

• The Art of Hospitality: As museums, movie theaters, and concert venues continue to face strict regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19, consumers are hungrier than ever to reconnect with arts and culture again. Hyatt hotels are serving guests art, music and film experiences in a socially distant manner:
o Alila Diwa Goa has teamed up with Jim Fernandes, a local singer and musician to perform live for guests on Saturdays from 7-10pm, and Moinuddin, a local food cart owner and one of the hotel’s regular vendors is providing food carts for onsite events.
o Alila Fort Bishangarh is collaborating with villagers who lost contracts for their services during the long pandemic shutdown. The hotel provides venues for artist Mohammed Rafiq Khan to perform Rajasthani Sufi folk arts, support for Ms. Leela’s work with the Fort’s organic farm and livestock, and work for Matu Singh and his crew with the hotel’s real estate development. The collaborations are ongoing through 2021.
o Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences is collaborating to help sisters, Sujata and Taniya (Su and Ta), behind saree- and apparel-maker Suta to offer various programs featuring the brand’s owners and artisans, including a High Tea and panel discussion for female entrepreneurs in June 2021 (invite-only), a weekly pop-up at Grand Brunch on Sundays for Suta to display and sell their collection, and private experiences for guests and locals including “Know and Experience Indigenous Crafts of India,” “Learn Indian Draping Styles,” and “Learn an age-old Indian craft directly from Suta artisans.”

• Stepping up for Voluntourism: The struggles of the pandemic have inspired many travelers to volunteer their time to support local organizations who seen a dip in volunteer support over the past year, and Hyatt hotels are connecting guests with these opportunities:
o Alila Diwa Goa in India teamed up with a local Podher (breadmaker) offering guests the experience to learn about the local breadmaking artistry and volunteer to prepare fresh breads for children at the nearby community center.

• Reimagining Hotel Gift Shops: Hyatt properties are taking onsite retail to new, hyper-local heights by inviting local makers and businesses to create and sell their products on property, resulting in guest experiences that educate and make a positive impact on communities:
o Andaz Delhi is featuring two artisanal food organisations: Darima Farms, a female-run maker of all-natural, preservative-free cheese in the village of Darima, and House of Umang, a female-run collective of producers, specializing in honey,  at the hotel’s award-winning food hall AnnaMaya, whose slogan is – “Eat Mindful. Shop Artisanal. Raise Awareness”.
o Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is offering space to two local companies - Elemental by Nanya, a female-owned maker of handcrafted, earth-friendly concrete décor, will display her items for sale to guests and locals near the hotel’s 24/7 restaurant during brunches and events through May 2021, while Paul and Mike, a farm-to-bar maker of chocolates, fine flavors and real floral distillates, has been offered complimentary banquet space for interactive exhibitions, tastings and product displays through June 2021.
o Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad is supporting the creativity of local women by providing popup outlets for two local female-led businesses to showcase their products. SEWA Kalakruti, led by Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Cooperative Federation, is an organization aimed at teaching local, underprivileged women crafts and arts, while The Heritage Shop, run by a young female artist, is a curated art & lifestyle boutique whose mission is to pay tribute to India’s First World Heritage City, Ahmedabad. Both businesses are receiving complimentary space in the property’s lounge and cafe on alternate weeks during the hotel’s Sunday brunches to showcase and sell handcrafted items and artworks to guests and locals. The hotel is also featuring artistic postcards from The Heritage Shop in its front office for sale to guests as souvenirs. The pop-up shops are debuting in June and will continue weekly through September.
o Hyatt Regency Chandigarh is collaborating with two local brands. Female-owned Phulkari brand, Phulkaris of Punjab, is receiving complimentary space weekly during Sunday brunches to sell their hand-embroidered clothing and accessories through June; and the hotel is outfitting its entire team with masks (100,000 orders to date) made by female artisans supported by Insha-e-Noor - a local NGO. 
o Hyatt Regency Chennai has been collaborating with local, minimalist men’s and women’s fashion designer Vivek Karunakaran (VK) to create a special, socially distant shopping experience for guests and locals since September 2020. The pop-up will be ongoing through 2021.
o Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort is indulging guests with departure gifts that help local businesses, including specially made tea bags from Anandini Himalaya Teas; handmade photo frames from Green Shop and recommended pottery workshops from Dharamkot Studio as a unique guest experience.

• New experiences on the menu: Nurturing the local community, Hyatt properties are collaborating with artisans to enhance their existing F&B portfolio, thus giving the artisans an opportunity to thrive amid the pandemic while innovating on the range of healthy and organic offerings for guests.
Hyatt Raipur is collaborating with T-Tales, the country’s first sustainably led tea-maker, to launch an onsite Bio-Café in June 2021. This will feature organic products that speak to climate, social and organically sustainable practices in line with Hyatt’s vision of advancing care for communities.
o Hyatt Regency Mumbai is collaborating with the citizen-action committee Rewilding Aarey that supports ecological sustainability and the indigenous tribes in the Aarey-Sanjay Gandhi National Park Forest. The hotel will feature farm-to-table brunches serving indigenous recipes while offering space in Glasshouse restaurant for the Adivasis (tribe) to set up a farmers’ market with fresh produce available for purchase by guests. The “Farm-to-Table” brunches will be held on Sundays at 12:30-3:30pm in June and July.

Appointment | Kulvinder Singh joins Hotel Pal Height, Bhubaneswar as General Manager

Singh will be focusing on the strategic direction of 74 Keys hotel, Mall & Flight Catering unit of PAL Group at Bhubaneswar

Hotel Pal Height, Bhubaneswar has announced the appointment of Kulvinder Singh as General Manager - Operations & Business Development.

In his new role, Singh will be focusing on the strategic direction of 74 Keys hotel, Mall & Flight Catering unit of PAL Group at Bhubaneswar- the first smart city of India offering a unique combination of an upper-upscale, full-service hotel in eastern India.

With over two decades of experience in hospitality, Singh brings with him rich experience in hotel operations and business development. Having worked with prominent Indian and International brands, including Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Louvre Hotels, Ramada by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Shipra Hotels, Brys Resorts Pvt. Ltd, First Fiddle Restaurants, he is credited with spearheading sales & marketing for some of the finest luxury & MICE hotels and delivering excellence as trend changer General Manager.

Born & brought up in New Delhi, Singh is an alumnus of IHM Gwalior, graduated in 1999, and emerged as the Master of Good Times in the world of F&B. He possesses vast experience in Turnkey & New Projects in the hotels & standalone Pubs, Fine dining restaurants & Cafes.

He will lead the team to take Pal Heights Hotel to the next level in its journey of being the preferred destination of business and leisure travelers as well as diners.

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New Opening | NH Hotels to debut in the Middle East region with the launch of NH Dubai The Palm

Mid and upscale hotel brand, NH Hotels, is set to debut in the Middle East region later this year with the launch of NH Dubai The Palm. Currently in the final stages of development, the new-build 533-key property will open its doors in December.

Located on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, a global landmark, NH Dubai The Palm will be part of Seven Hotel & Apartments, a mixed-use development consisting of a hospitality tower and a residential tower.

The hotel will be easily accessible on The Palm’s main trunk, adjacent to the largest mall on The Palm and close to the Palm Fountain at The Pointe, which launched recently as the world’s largest fountain. Dubai’s other key tourist attractions including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina are all within easy reach.

The new 14-storey property will offer 227 hotel guest rooms and suites, in addition to 306 serviced apartments. Facilities will include multiple restaurants and bars, three spa treatment rooms, a kids’ club and four meeting rooms. For the active, there will be a gym fully-equipped with the latest equipment. In addition, the hotel will be home to a spectacular rooftop infinity pool, creating the perfect ‘Insta’ spot.

The hotel’s interiors will be bold, original and energetic, bringing bursts of colour and an abundance of local character reflecting the pulse of the dynamic city of Dubai.

NH Dubai The Palm will introduce new hot spots to The Palm, including a lively sports bar, plus a stylish rooftop bar and lounge alongside the infinity pool, all west facing and perfect for enjoying city’s famous sunsets.

Another key feature of the hotel will be a large comfortable multi-purpose space for co-working and with access to the gym and showers, ideal for those requiring a late check out NH Dubai The Palm is owned by luxury real estate and hospitality developer Seven Tides, with a portfolio including Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels, commented, “We are thrilled to be bringing NH Hotels to the Middle East and launching in Dubai is a great fit for the brand. The hotel will perfectly complement the existing portfolio of hotels Minor operates within the city, alongside Anantara, Avani and Oaks, widening the offering available for our guests. We look forward to bringing this exciting new hotel to the market working alongside our partners Seven Tides.”

Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO of Seven Tides, also commented, “We have built a close working relationship with Minor over the past eight years, initially with the launch of Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort in 2013. Being a mid to upscale brand, NH will complement the Anantara and provide cross-marketing opportunities along with the five-star Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, another Seven Tides property that is under Minor management.”

NH Dubai The Palm will be the first of the brand to launch in the Middle East and will join an existing portfolio of over 240 NH Hotels properties, which are known for their quality of services and facilities.

Source

Ingredient Ideology | THE RAVISHING RED PEPPER By: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

THE RAVISHING RED PEPPER

Red capsicum also known as bell pepper belongs to the plant family which offers us colorful varieties of capsicums for us to add a visual appeal to our food and appease our palates creating novel ideas with a touch of creativity and a passion to present ideas that are sure to impress our guests. Red capsicum to me has been very special due to its maturity and ripe status as compared to the yellow and green variety and its taste, flavor, and aroma upon being cooked are just difficult to compare.

As we compare the nutrients in various bell peppers red capsicums have scored the highest on the charts since they are loaded with phytonutrients and have 11 times more content of beta-carotene to offer us via its use and application in our food. Besides being a good source of Iron & Vitamin-C, it is important to highlight here that red capsicums have been listed as a superfood as well out of all other bell peppers.

Red capsicums belong to the same family like cayenne peppers, jalapenos, sweet chili pepper and they have a nice mildly sweet and earthy taste. While they have been known to be native to central and South America, Mexico and were grown in Spain many decades ago. Today we find red capsicums being grown in various parts of the world and are easily available at a vegetable vendor close to us.

Let us have a look at a few Health Benefits of Red Capsicums:

1. High content of Vitamin A – great for the eyes and vision health.

2. Loaded with Vitamin C- is a great source to meet up our daily dietary requirements.

3. Great source of vitamin b-6 and magnesium- it is said that this vitamin and mineral combination helps decrease anxiety while vitamin b6 is also a natural diuretic that helps to reduce bloating and prevents hypertension.

4. Red peppers are said to help increase metabolic rate, which means it increases our metabolism without increasing our blood pressure and heart rate and also helps us to burn more calories.

5. Red capsicums are very high in anti-oxidants and it is one of the veggies with the highest levels of lycopene which helps prevent a number of complications in our body.

LET US HAVE A LOOK AT A FEW CULINARY USES OF RED CAPSICUMS:

1. We have seen green capsicums in our kitchens for a very long time now and from stuffed capsicums with mashed or boiled tempered potatoes to aloo Shimla Mirch ki subzi to adding it to curries and gravies, red capsicums can take lead in being rather more visible and vibrant in the recipes.

2. Red capsicums in the stuffed form look very presentable and add a lot of attraction on the table or in the plate and creates a great appetite and whets the taste buds. While stuffing it from the most commonly used potatoes, to mincemeat, cooked rice with spices and cheese, assorted vegetables, pasta, etc are all welcome.

3. While roasting the red peppers should be avoided at times since it reduces their vitamin c content by around 25% there are ways of doing it by pan cooking and stir-frying. The peppers are able to find their place in Indian cuisine as well as international recipes too.

4. Stir-fried red peppers with bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, assorted legumes/pulses, sprouts, baby carrots, snow peas, etc go very well not only in the visual appeal but also the crunch and texture, on the whole, do not over spice it however for best results.

5. Red peppers are great to add into salads, I like to add them slightly marinated or a little pan fry element attached to it in order to bring out the earthy flavor from them, and also the overall salad gets a new dimension, do not add very creamy or pasty dressings to red capsicum salads, preferred options are citric elements, and light dressings with lime, vinegar, mustard, etc.

6. Adding red peppers to your pasta station is a good choice as it makes the pasta more appealing and nutritionally balanced too. Do not overcook them and maintain the crunch, try adding them to your Mexican tacos, into your salsa, into burritos, tortilla wraps, etc.

7. Red capsicums in stews, curries, gravies, side dishes, mashed potatoes, tikkis, cutlets, hash browns, baked dishes, and dips too are a great option to go for, adding them to our savory quiche, tarts, and puffs, bread doughs in bakery come out great!

8. Red capsicum stuffing with soy keema and little spinach as a filling or stuffing for a multi-grain paratha or into a whole wheat wrap or sandwich is ideal too, Variety of sandwiches fresh or toasted can also include red peppers into them. Adding them to shawarma rolls and Kathi rolls with your veg or non-veg choice of ingredients work well.

9. Red capsicums with brown rice, millets, barley, and other grains work well too, and be it fried rice, pulao, stir-fried concepts, baked dishes, or even stuffing using rice for steamed cabbage parcels, etc are ideal using red peppers.

10. Sauces for continental cuisine from French to Italian to Spanish to fusion cooking can also include red capsicums to add a nice output to the recipes. Use them in combination with tomatoes, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and few mild spices to get the best flavors.

Here are a few simple- easy to make recipes with Red Peppers:

Recipe-1] BHARWAAN RED SHIMLA

Ingredients:

Red peppers- 2-3 no.

For the stuffing:

• Cooked white rice/brown rice- 1 cup

• Oil/butter-1 tbsp.

• Garlic- 1 tsp chop

• Onion-2 tbsp. chopped

• Green chilies- 1 tsp chopped.

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Tomato- 1 small chopped

• Eggs- 2 no beaten/ paneer- 100 gms grated.

• Capsicums-1/2 chopped

• Red chili powder-1/2 tsp

• Coriander powder-1 tsp

• Green coriander leaves- 2 tbsp. chopped

• Cheese- 2 tbsp.

• Sunflower seeds/ flax seeds- 1 tsp

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the stuffed capsicum.

2. Slit the top cover of the red capsicum and scoop out the seeds and wash them well, reserve the cover for the cooking process.

3. Heat oil/butter add in the garlic, onions, chilies, and saute it for 1 min, add in the tomato, capsicums, salt, and all powdered spices add little water to prevent burning, cook for 2 mins.

4. Add in the beaten eggs and scramble them or add in paneer or any leftover vegetables etc and cook for 2-3 mins on medium flame. Add in the cooked rice, coriander leaves and mix well.

5. Stuff the mixture into the capsicums and add little cheese and nuts/seeds etc and cover them and cook them in a non-stick pan on a low flame with a tsp of oil for 10-12 mins or bake them in an oven at 160 degrees Celsius for 15-20 mins and serve them hot.

Recipe-2] NUTTY RED PEPPER CHUTNEY

Ingredients:

• Red peppers- 2 no.

• Tomatoes- 2 no.

• Oil/ghee- 2 tsp

• Hing-1 pinch

• Curry leaves- 10-12 no

• Jeera- ½ tsp

• Garlic- 1 tsp chop

• Ginger-1 tsp chop

• Red chilies- 2 no slit

• Salt to taste

• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

• Red chili powder- ½ tsp

• Water- ½ cup

• Peanuts- 2-3 tbsp. roasted and crushed.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the chutney recipe.

2. Heat oil/ghee in a pan and add in the hing and curry leaves and all the whole spices for tempering and splutter them for a few seconds.

3. Add in the chilies, red capsicums cut into small pieces along with tomatoes and saute it all well for a couple of mins, add in the salt and powdered spices and little water and allow to cook on a low flame for 10-12 mins.

4. Cool down the mixture and add it to a blender jar along with the crushed peanuts and add little water or oil and grind it all well, place the chutney into a serving bowl and serve it chilled with snacks or apply it on rotis, wraps, bread slices for sandwiches etc.

Recipe-3] RED PEPPER HUMMUS DIP

Ingredients:

• Red capsicum- 2 no cut into pieces and saute in 1 tsp oil in a pan for 2-3 mins, cool and keep aside.

• Olive oil-2-3 tbsp.

• Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

• Walnuts/cashews/almonds- 2 tbsp.

• Lime juice- 2 tbsp.

• Chilled water-2 tbsp.

• Boiled chickpeas- ½ cup

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Chaat masala-1/2 tsp

• White sesame seed paste- 1 tbsp./ tahini paste- 2 tbsp.

• Olives/pomegranate seeds/jalapenos etc for garnish.

• To serve with cuts of raw veggies/ savory crackers

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the tempting and tasty dip.

2. In a food processor jar combine together all the ingredients for the dip from chickpeas to red peppers etc and using olive oil and a little chilled water grind the mixture to a nice smooth textured dip.

3. Remove into dip bowls and garnish them as desired, serve it on a platter full of raw cuts of veggies and or with savory crackers or to go along as a relish with a starter, it tastes great with pita bread as well.

Recipe-4] REFRESHING RED PEPPER SOUP

Ingredients:

• Red capsicum- 2 no cut into small pieces.

• Oil/butter- 2 tsp

• Bayleaf-1 no

• Peppercorns-2-3 no

• Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

• Tomatoes-1 cup chopped

• Potato- 1 small chopped.

• Celery- 2 tbsp. chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Mixed herbs- ½ tsp

• Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

• Fresh coriander leaves- 1 tbsp.

• Mint leaves- 1 tbsp.

• Water/veg stock- 3-4 cups.

• Sugar- ½ tsp

• Parsley/ micro-greens to garnish the soup.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for this refreshing soup being served cold.

2. Heat oil/butter in a pan add in the Bayleaf, peppercorns, and garlic saute for a few seconds, add in the red capsicums and potatoes and give them a nice stir followed by the tomatoes, celery and salt, sugar, seasonings, herbs and spices to taste.

3. Add in the veg stock/water and allow to come to a boil, simmer the soup for 15-20 mins and cool, add in mint and coriander leaves and using a blender puree the soup and pass through a sieve or strainer.

4. Check for seasoning adjust it to taste, add in a little fresh lime juice and mix, chill the soup for 1-2 hours and serve it in small shot glasses or soup bowls garnished with mint/parsley or micro greens.

Make it stand out

Brief About The Writer:

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef, is a Mumbai based Author, Writer, Healthy Eating - Lifestyle Specialist, Food Designer, Academician & having mastered over 33 International Cuisines, is also a Food & Beverage Consultant. He has worked with esteemed properties like the Taj Group of Hotels, Kuwait Airways to name a few, he has been awarded several Global and National Awards for his outstanding performance in his chosen field he loves to share his knowledge and experience of over 2 decades with the Food & Hospitality Industry.

Initiative| Maharashtra Govt to host International Conference on Agri Tourism

The event will offer an overarching understanding of the agri-tourism sector, its challenges and opportunities, and will develop recommendations and an action plan that will guide the efforts of strengthening the agri-tourism sector

Maharashtra is the pioneer State to develop and promote Agri Tourism in the country. To further promote it in the State and commemorate the 14th World Agri-Tourism Day (16th May), the Department of Tourism, Maharashtra Government in partnership with Agri Tourism Development Corporation India, is organizing ‘INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRI TOURISM’ on 15th and 16th May 2021.

The objective of the conference is to explore sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities for rural women through Agri-Tourism.

The conference will provide a platform for national and international experts, researchers and farmers to share their experience and present examples on successful agri-tourism practices from various countries including Italy, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, Uganda, South Africa, Philippines, Scotland, Spain and Thailand.

The event will offer an overarching understanding of the agri-tourism sector, its challenges and opportunities, and will develop recommendations and an action plan that will guide the efforts of strengthening the agri-tourism sector. Furthermore, it will showcase the vital role played by the Rural Women as enablers of sustainable and socially responsible tourism.

The international conference will also celebrate the excellence and success of Women farmers and Agri-tourism practitioners by felicitating them with ‘World Agri Tourism Awards 2021’, selected by International Agri-tourism Awards Committee.

The prestigious award recipients are as follow:
• Ms Charinee Chaiyochlarb, Mini Murrah Farm, Thailand- She imported 50 buffaloes from India in 2003 to start her Murrah Dairy Company. The agri-tourism center supports the women of her village as well.
• Mrs. Scottie Jones, Leaping Lamb Farm & Farm Stay- Oregon, America- She popularized Farm Stays in America. Leaping Lamb Farm has 6 lettable rooms and receives many guests.
• Dr. Meena Gabor, International School of Sustainable Tourism, Philippines – Former Secretary of Tourism, Republic of the Philippines,  she played a huge role in or the development, promotion, and operation of sustainable tourism in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
• Caroline Miller, The Hideaway Experience Balkello Farms, Scotland - She runs an agri-tourism company called ‘Go Rural’ and has worked extensively toward the development of agri-tourism in Scotland.
• Jacqui Taylor, Founder & Managing Director Agri-tourism South Africa and Agri-tourism Africa - With over 30 years of experience in the Tourism and Agriculture industries, she has been promoting on agri-tourism and Sustainable Tourism initiatives in Africa.
• Maria Baryamujura, Founder of Cobati, Uganda - She is focused on empowering local communities which are near areas of high tourism potential to develop homestays and grassroots tourism attractions.
• Mrs. Kasar Nanda, owner of Meher Retreat Agri Tourism Center, Pune- She runs an agri-tourism center spread over 27 acres. Through her efforts, she has been able to enhance livelihood opportunities for women in her village.
• Mrs. Sangita Bhapkar, Nisarg Sangeet Agri-Tourism Centre, Morgaon, Baramati- She runs an agri-tourism center spreading over 5 acres.
• Dr. Ashwini Kotkar, Dirghayu Agri-Tourism Centre, Birwadi, Shahapur, Thane- She owns an orchard of 45 acres and grows mangoes using the organic method of farming.

Under the Government initiative category, Department of Tourism, Maharashtra Govt. wins the award for its tremendous contribution to the development of agri-tourism in the State and providing sustainable employment opportunities to the farming community.

Maharashtra has over 1000 Agri-Tourism centers which are empowering farmers and rural communities to enhance their economic viability and resilience. The centers are contributing majorly to the strengthening of livelihoods for women in rural areas.

To register for the ‘International Conference on Agri Tourism’, please click on this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L5bxfsLCRsyGJhivf84MIA

Source

RevPAR declined 46.3 percent worldwide - Marriott International Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

First quarter 2021 comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR declined 46.3 percent worldwide, 46.3 percent in the U.S. & Canada, and 46.1 percent in international markets, compared to the 2020 first quarter;

• First quarter 2021 comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR declined 59.1 percent worldwide, 57.1 percent in the U.S. & Canada, and 64.1 percent in international markets, compared to the 2019 first quarter;

• First quarter reported diluted loss per share totaled $0.03, compared to reported diluted EPS of $0.09 in the year-ago quarter. First quarter adjusted diluted EPS totaled $0.10, compared to first quarter 2020 adjusted diluted EPS of $0.49;

• First quarter reported net loss totaled $11 million, compared to reported net income of $31 million in the year-ago quarter. First quarter adjusted net income totaled $34 million, compared to first quarter 2020 adjusted net income of $160 million;

• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $296 million in the 2021 first quarter, compared to first quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA of $442 million;

• The company added more than 23,500 rooms globally during the first quarter, including nearly 12,000 rooms in international markets and a total of about 7,300 conversion rooms;

• At quarter end, Marriott’s worldwide development pipeline totaled over 2,800 properties and approximately 491,000 rooms, including roughly 18,000 rooms approved, but not yet subject to signed contracts. More than 222,000 rooms in the pipeline were under construction as of the end of the 2021 first quarter;

• At the end of the first quarter, the company’s net liquidity totaled approximately $4.7 billion, representing $0.6 billion in available cash balances and $4.1 billion of unused borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility.

NEWS | Anantara in Spain and Portugal Reopens In Time for A Mediterranean Summer

Hola and bom dia from Anantara,

Planning European summer getaways just got easier with the reopening of two stunning Anantara resorts on the Mediterranean; Anantara Villa Padierna Palace in Spain and Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort in Portugal.

Both resorts feature new gastronomic journeys, wellness programmes, exceptional golf and exclusive experiences designed for guests to reconnect to the destination and luxuriate after a year of restrictions.

Anantara Villa Padierna Palace welcomes a stylish new beach club, Anantara By The Sea, serving Champagne on ice to the beat of live DJs, flamenco shows and culinary delights with a menu by two Michelin-starred Chef Paco Roncero. A series of new experiences include guided mindfulness meditation on a sailing boat or a personal shopper to browse the high end boutiques of Puerto Banus.

Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort offers a stylish Algarve retreat, suitable for groups of friends, families and couples seeking to enjoy the spectacular coastline and upmarket dining and nightlife. Anantara Spa presents a thoughtful combination of Ayurvedic philosophy and regional therapeutic traditions, embodied in the new ‘Digital Detox’ programme, the perfect tonic from the stresses of working from home.

Covid NEWS | McDonald’s India – North and East announces vaccination drive for its employees.

McDonald’s India – North and East announces vaccination drive for its employees

New Delhi, Guided by the core belief that we are all in this together, McDonald’s India – North and East, has announced its employee inoculation drive. The initiative is aimed at benefitting more than 5,000 people employed across the corporate office in Delhi, full-time and part-time restaurant employees across 11 states in North and East India including delivery riders. The company will cover the cost of the vaccination* of employee and their spouse and offer paid time off to employees post their vaccination if required. 

“The current situation requires a collective effort and nobody will be safe until everyone is safe. We have a responsibility towards our people – the heart and soul of McDonald’s. The safety and wellness of our people guide our decision-making. Vaccination is essential in the fight against the pandemic, and we are actively encouraging McDonald’s employees to take this important step. We remain committed towards the greater cause of ensuring the safety of our people and the communities in which we operate”, said, Sanjeev Agrawal, Chairman and Development Licensee, Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which operates McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India.

McDonald’s Safety 

As McDonald’s proactively monitors the impact of the COVID-19 situation, the brand is continuously making changes to its processes and restaurant operations with the safety of the employees, customers, and the communities at large on top priority. 

Since the onset of COVID-19, McDonald’s has introduced 50-plus process changes in its restaurant operations under its global Safety+ program. These measures include, but not limited to, mandatory daily wellness and temperature checks for everyone (crew, customers and delivery partners), compulsory facemasks for everyone, enhanced focus on hand hygiene with frequent handwashing and gloves for the crew. Hand sanitizers are available at all restaurants all the time for everyone to use. 

Front counters and Drive-Thrus have been fitted with protective screens. Contactless ordering, payment, and contactless delivery options are available for customers to minimize human contact. All restaurants have visual cues on furniture and floor to help customers and employees maintain adequate physical distance from each other and follow Covid-protocols. Customers will also notice foot-operated taps in the restrooms. Furthermore, the sanitation protocol has been further strengthened by introducing broad-spectrum hospital-grade sanitizers to disinfect all frequently touched points/surfaces in the restaurants.

With these and many more safety measures, McDonald’s is ensuring that every part of the McDonald’s experience is safe for its customers and employees. 

*The cost of the vaccination, as levied by the Government is INR 250 per shot, and each person requires two shots, so that will be INR 500 for each person.

About McDonald’s India - North and East: McDonald’s restaurants in North and East of India are operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. McDonald’s is committed to delivering the highest quality restaurant experience to its customers in India and serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients sourced locally. McDonald’s serves millions of customers annually at its 150 restaurants across North and East of India and provides direct employment to more than 5,000 people. With a customer-centric approach, McDonald’s operates through a variety of formats and brand extensions including standalone restaurants, Drive-thru’s, 24/7 restaurants, McDelivery for customer convenience and experience.

For more information and updates, please log on to www.mcdindia.com, or follow Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Event |IHM Ranchi organising an Online Jharkhand Cookerly League season 3 for future Chefs and Hoteliers.

    Unveil the chef in you!!! #LockdownChallenge #stayhomestaysafe #chefinyou

The Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Ranchi, an Autonomous Institution of the Department of Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand, is hosting Online Cookery Competition for all the cooking enthusiast in collaboration with Jharkhand Tourism, Sunday Cook Show.

The participation will be absolutely free of cost /no entry fee.

The participants will receive Certificates and winners will receive a beautiful Kitchen Kit (21 items)

Participation rules and guidelines

• Like and Follow @ihmranchi and @sundaycookshow on Facebook and Instagram before participating.

• Participants may send in their entries for any one of the following cuisines latest by 31.5.2021

• Traditional dish of Jharkhand

• Regional Indian Vegetarian Dish

• Dessert (Vegetarian Only)

• One Participant may send multiple videos.

• Anyone who is interested in participating may send in their entries to ihmranchisocial@gmail.com.

• The entry must contain:

1. A beautiful picture of the final dish presentation, 

2. Video of 4-6 minutes.

3. Introduction of the Candidate

4. No copyright music in the background to avoid copyright violation as per YouTube guidelines. 

Video guidelines

• The participant must shoot the video keeping the front view, ensuring their introduction before starting the recipe presentation.

• The time span of the video may be of 4-6 minutes.

• The video may be shot in either Hindi or English language.

Food presentation and photography

• The presentation of the dish plays an important role and shall be considered as one of the criteria for evaluation.

• Mandatory: the contestant has to send/upload a picture of the presented dish along with the video. 

How to submit:

1. Upload your video on Google drive

2. Name the folder with your name and dish for eg. Sumit-Dhuska (Sumit being name and Dhuska is the dish )

3. Share the link to ihmranchisocial@gmail.com with your photo and picture of the final dish.

4. We will download the video, the chef will do the internal evaluation, it will be uploaded to Youtube Channel SUNDAY COOK SHOW and Links will be shared to you and all, through the IHM RANCHI Facebook page and Instagram for promotion and sharing.

Evaluation criteria 

The participants will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria’s:

         A. Jury

          1. Creativity

          2. Process and explanation 

          3. Authenticity (for Jharkhand tradition dish category only)

          4. Ingredients used

          5. Hygiene and cleanliness

          6. Presentation of the dish

          B. Social Reach

           1. a Maximum number of likes & comments on the uploaded video on YouTube Channel Sunday Cook Show.

Both the parameters will have equal weightage.

The Winner will be announced on or before 7.6.2021

Winners will be facilitated by IHM, Ranchi, and will be given Kitchen Kit and any other gifts if received from any sponsor.

FOR clarifications or details please call IHM RANCHI @9162336888

#lockdownchallenge #chefinyou