Appointment | Sunil Sharma Join Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport As The Director Of Food & Beverage

Sunil Sharma joins Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport as the Director of Food & Beverage. Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Sunil was brought up in the capital city, Delhi and is a Hospitality Management graduate holding a degree in Economics Honors. Sunil brings with him over a decade of experience in the Hospitality Industry and has worked in multi-national hotel chains like Waldorf Astoria in the UAE, The Torch in Doha, Hilton Hotels in the Middle East and India, The Leela Palace in Chennai and Mumbai. He is also a certified Sake Sommelier and has rich experience in managing Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern and European aspects of F&B Service. He loves exploring the world of gastronomy and beverages and is an adventure sports enthusiast.  

On joining Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport, Sunil says; “I am really excited to join the prestigious hotel. The vibe and positivity within the team is something I have never experienced before.” Talking about how Covid has changed the way we look at the hospitality industry, he adds; “Change is the only constant. Hotels have also learnt to adapt with ghost kitchens, focusing more than ever on healthy eating, home deliveries and contactless experiences. We are all learning and evolving from our daily experiences and there is a lot yet to unfold in the new realm of hospitality.”  

Announcing the appointment Mr Sarad Upadhyay, General Manager at Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport says “We are excited to have Sunil on-board. He joins us with immense experience and energy. He has a new perspective of the Food & Beverage industry and I am confident having him on the leadership team will definitely bring about a positive change.” 

Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport 

A contemporary and modern upscale hotel in North Mumbai, Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport is located 15 minutes away from the Mumbai International Airport, making it an ideal destination for leisure or business. The hotel offers 245 contemporary yet modern rooms and banquet space of 14729 sq ft, a spa, a fitness centre, a swimming pool at the sky terrace, an all-day dining restaurant and a bar at the lobby level.  

Ingredient Ideology | LOVE FOR LEMONGRASS By: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

Lemongrass is an herb with a lemony scent. The culinary herb is produced from the stalk of the lemongrass plant. This plant grows in many tropical climates, most notably in Southeast Asia. Lemongrass is a plant. The leaves and the oil are used to make medicine. Lemongrass is used for treating digestive tract spasms, stomach-ache, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain, vomiting, cough, achy joints (rheumatism), fever, the common cold, and exhaustion. It is also used to kill germs and as a mild astringent.

 Lemongrass is native to the tropical countries of India, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Guatemala, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It grows upright in dense bunches and thrives in moist, warm climates with well-drained, loose, dry, loam soils.

The lemongrass herb has stalks that are fibrous and smell much like lemons. In an essential oil, the scent is fresh and light with a hint of lemon. Lemongrass can be found in subtropical and tropical areas, where it thrives on fertile, well-drained, sandy and loamy soil that is exposed to direct sunlight. Lemongrass tea is generally a safe and healthy herbal drink. Animal and laboratory research has shown that lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Lemongrass may also help protect your stomach lining and improve your lipid profile

Here are a few Health Benefits of using Lemongrass in our Daily Cooking.

• Lemongrass has pain- killer properties and is useful in a number of ways.

• It helps to cure respiratory diseases & can protect liver from damage.

• It has anti- fungal properties as well, can help reduce diarrhoea.

• Lemongrass promotes in detoxification of our body in a number of ways.

• It Is a great immunity booster and also helps treat fever.

• Lemongrass is good for our skin and bone health as well.

• It can be helpful to us since it helps prevent anaemia and also lowers cholesterol.

Here are a few of my favorite Recipes with Lemongrass:

Recipe-1] LEMONGRASS & ASPARAGUS SOUP

Ingredients:

Fresh lemongrass- 4-5 no, cut into medium sized pieces.

Asparagus- 10-12 no, tips trimmed for garnish, rest to be sliced

Oil-1 tsp

Butter-1 tsp

Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

Onion-1 small, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Mixed herbs- ½ tsp

Maida- 1-2 tsp

Chili flakes- ½ tsp

Sweet potato- ½ cup cubed

Water/ stock- 2-3 cups

Flax seeds/ melon seeds-2 tsp

Fresh cream-1/4 cup

Cheese-2-3 tsp

Assorted fresh herbs for garnish

Method:

1. Pre-prep all the ingredients for the lemongrass- asparagus soup.

2. Heat oil and butter in a pan, saute the lemongrass pieces, garlic and onions for a few seconds. For non-veg versions we can add some chopped bacon as well.

3. Add in the sweet potatoes, asparagus slices, add in the seasonings, herbs, chili flakes, seeds and mix well, also add some maida and saute for 20 seconds.

4. Now pour in the liquid content/stock or water and allow the ingredients to soften and cook for 12-18 mins, cool, remove the lemongrass pieces and then puree, strain the soup.

5. Bring the contents of the soup back to a boil, add in the cream and simmer for 3-4 mins, check for salt and adjust seasonings and texture accordingly.

6. Serve the delicate and refreshing soup piping hot and garnish with some herbs, chili flakes, micro-greens etc.

Recipe-2] LEMONGRASS TEMPERED FRIED RICE

Ingredients:

Basmati rice- 2 cups boiled

Oil-2 tsp

Butter-1 tsp

Lemongrass- 10-12 pieces’ cut

Garlic- 1 tsp sliced

Ginger-1 tsp shredded

Shallots- 6- 8 no sliced

Boneless chicken breast- 1 cup sliced thinly

Eggs-2-3 no

Salt and pepper to taste

Assorted veggies for color- carrots/ cabbage/green capsicum etc

Cut them into small pieces/ cubes/ dices.

Soy sauce- 2-3 tsp

Red chili sauce-1-2 tsp

White vinegar/ chili vinegar- 1-2 tsp

Roasted crushed peanuts-2-3 tsp

Spring onion greens- 2-3 tbsp. chopped

Method:

1. Pre-prep all the ingredients as per the recipe. Heat 1 tsp oil in the pan and break in the eggs, scramble them add salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 mins, remove and keep aside.

2. Heat oil and butter in a wok/ pan add in the garlic, ginger, shallots, and lemongrass, and saute for a few seconds.

3. Add in the chicken pieces and saute them on a high flame for 1-2 mins, add in the seasonings, sauces, little water and allow the chicken to cook for 6- 8 mins.

4. Also we can use assorted colorful veggies as listed which can be going into the pan as well side by side and cook.

5. Add in the boiled rice and greens, give them a nice mix and cook for 3-5 mins and then dish out, serve hot.

Recipe- 3] LEMONGRASS FLAVORED GREEN VEG CURRY

Ingredients:

Oil-2 tsp

Lemongrass- 6- 9 pieces’ cut

Garlic-1 tsp sliced

Ginger/thai galangal- 2 tsp sliced

Shallots- 4-6 no peeled and cut 1 x 2

Eggplant- 1 cup cubed

Fresh basil leaves- 10-12 no

Broccoli florets-1 cup

Mushrooms-1/2 cup cut 1 x 2

Snow peas- 10-12 no

Carrots-1/4 cup cubes

Babycorn- 2-3 no sliced

Salt to taste

Green curry paste- 2-3 tsp

Sugar- 1 pinch

Water-1/2 cup- 1 cup

Coconut milk- 2 cups thick

Cornstarch solution- 2-3 tsp.

Coconut cream/ tender coconut/ basil leaves for garnish

Method:

1. Pre-prep all the ingredients for the lemongrass flavored curry.

2. Heat oil in a pan add in the lemongrass, ginger/galangal, fresh basil, green curry paste, add in some water to prevent the curry paste from sticking or burning.

3. Add in the assorted veggies of your choice and saute for a couple of minutes, add ½ cup water and 1 cup coconut milk and simmer for 8-10 mins.

4. Pour in a little more coconut milk as per texture desired along with a little corn starch solution to thicken up a bit, cook for 2-3 mins, garnish with fresh basil/ coconut cream and serve hot with steaming hot sticky jasmine rice/ lemongrass flavored white rice.

Recipe- 4] PAN FRIED LEMONGRASS FISH FILLETS

Ingredients:

Boneless fish fillets- 450gms- 750gms, sliced

For the marination:

Oil-2-3 tsp

Lemon juice- 2-3 tsp

Ginger shreds- 2 tsp

Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp

Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

Soy sauce-1 tsp

Brown sugar-1 tsp

Basil leaves- 5-6 no

White wine-2-3 tbsp. optional

Salt and pepper to taste

For pan-frying the fish:

Maida-1 cup

Oil-1/4 cup

Butter-2-3 tsp

For the accompaniments and plating:

Butter-2-3 tsp

Garlic-2-3 tsp sliced

Shallots- 5-6 no, cut 1 x 4

Spring onion greens- ½ cup chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Steamed white rice/brown rice- 2 cups

Lemon grass- 5-7 pieces

Flax seeds/ melon seeds- 2-3 tsp

Jalapenos/ slit green/ red chilies- 2-3 no

Blanched spinach leaves- 1 cup

Method:

1. Pre-prep all the ingredients as per the recipe for the fish.

2. Prepare the fish fillets, apply the marination, keep them aside for 12-15 mins in the refrigerator.

3. Coat the fillets with dry maida/refined flour and pan fry it in a little oil and butter in a medium-hot pan for 2 mins on each side, remove and place on a baking tray, cook in the oven for 8-10 mins at 180 degrees celsius.

4. To prepare the accompaniments, heat oil and butter in a pan add in the lemongrass, garlic, shallots, spring onion greens, spinach, salt, pepper, chilies, seeds and give it a nice mix and toss.

5. Add some white wine or lime juice at this stage if desired and add in the cooked steamed rice and mix well. Cook for 2 mins, continue the plating of the fish, starting with a base of rice and greens, and top it up with the cooked fish and garnish with herbs/ garlic butter sauce, etc and serve hot.

Recipe-5] LEMONGRASS PISTACHIO PUDDING

Ingredients:

Lemongrass- 8-10 pieces’ cut

Full fat/cooking cream- 750 ml

Sugar-1/2 cup

Condensed milk- ¼ cup

Lemon essence-2-3 drops

Pistachios- 2-3 tsp chopped

Gelatin- 2-3 tbsp. hydrated

Assorted berries/ herbs/ nuts/ seeds/ praline etc for garnish

Method:

1. A delicate and delicious dessert with a mild and refreshing lemony flavor in it.

2. Start using a thick-bottomed saucepan, warm up the cooking cream and add in the sweeteners to taste and stir for 2-3 mins.

3. Add in the lemongrass pieces and allow them to infuse their flavor in the cream for 8-10 mins, remove.

4. Cool down the mixture and add in the pistachios, lemon essence and fold in the hydrated gelatin/ agar agar and mix well.

5. Pour the mixture into ramekins/ small baba mould etc and allow them to chill in the refrigerator and set for 3-4 hours.

6. Carefully demold the dessert and plate it using elements of color and crunch to add variety and eye appeal on the plate and serve it chille

Recipe-6] LEMONGRASS INFUSED HERBAL TEA

Ingredients:

Lemongrass- 6-8 pieces

Water- 750 ml

Lime slices- 2-3 no

Ginger slices- 3-4 no

Mint leaves- 8-10 no

Cinnamon stick- 1-inch piece

Peppercorns- 3-4 no crushed

Basil leaves- 2-3 no

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the herbal spiced tea.

2. There are various combinations to work on when it comes to the infusion of flavors into warm/hot beverages.

3. Startup with a saucepan, warm up the water, add in the lemongrass and all the other ingredients as well, simmer for 8-10 mins, bring to a light boil and turn off the flame.

4. Allow resting for a couple of mins, carefully strain it out using a strainer or a muslin cloth into serving small teacups and enjoy this any time of the day for a nice digestive effect and immunity-boosting drink as well with lemongrass.

Brief About the Writer:

NEW LAUNCH | After The Cocktail Story, Vidhi Puri to announce a subscription-driven club

The Cocktail Story has evolved and grown from a recognized content platform to a marketplace that connects consumers with brands to help them choose ingredients, mixers, recipes, bar tools, and more. Products listed on their website are available across the country, with more than 95 brands on the platform.

Launched in 2018, The Cocktail Story is a digital platform dedicated to building an ecosystem of the hospitality industry, alco-bev brands and spirit enthusiasts. It is, as of now, the only platform in India promoting the cocktail culture, highlighting bartenders, more so women bartenders with updates of local and international brands in India and the globe.

The Cocktail Story shop was launched with the founder Vidhi Puri’s aim to elevate the drinking experience at home. The e-commerce platform is an extension of The Cocktail Story that is an educational platform on Instagram. The e-commerce platform is a destination for all brands that will provide cocktail-making products and solutions under one roof to its patrons.

NEWS | Corbett Tiger Reserve reopens for night stays, sold out in 48 hours

After staying out of bounds for five and a half months, the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has reopened for night stays, with bookings selling out within just 48 hours. This comes even as hill towns of Mussoorie and Nainital recorded heavy tourist influx for the long weekend on Dussehra.

Corbett director, Rahul (who only uses his first name), said the stays inside the reserve were closed for tourists in May, but Bijrani, Jhirna, and Dhela zones have reopened for tourists.

“We were flooded with requests within hours of reopening and because of the long weekend, all accommodation inside the reserve is full until Tuesday,” he said. According to the Corbett administration, 80 bookings were received in just 48 hours after the reopening on Wednesday. While the day safaris were already permitted in other zones, the administration has now allowed tourists to travel into the Bijrani zone, which is popular for tiger sightings.

NEWS | Treehouse Pugmark Resort witnesses increase in weekend occupancies

The resort is running on an occupancy of 30 to 35 percent during the weekdays and 75 to 80 percent during weekends. After the second wave of Covid-19 hit, the Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve has seen moderate footfalls, weekdays saw only around 300 to 400 visitors and around 1,200 on weekends. But the number is steadily increasing The Treehouse Pugmark Resort is running on an occupancy of 30 to 35 percent during the weekdays and 75 to 80 percent during weekends. For the property, MICE is around 25 percent of the business and weddings constitute around 15 percent.

These are, however, pre-Covid figures. “Currently, our market mix is 80 percent domestic leisure and 20 percent weddings. The MICE business is very slowly returning. We have had a few small conferences but certainly, hope that this segment picks up quickly,” Jayant Singh, managing partner, Treehouse Hotels and Resorts said while discussing the revival of the business.

“Weddings have kept the hospitality business alive. Most of the hotels including ours have survived the pandemic because of small weddings. We had spotted this trend very early and started a campaign called classy bespoke weddings at Treehouse. All our hotels really benefited from this campaign,” Singh added.

Appreciation | Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre celebrates “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021”

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre celebrates “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021” 

Hyderabad: October 2021: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre organized “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021” with an aim to acknowledge and recognize the employee’s relentless efforts in delivering the highest standards of services, contributing towards the success of the hotel. The Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021 was organized with a sole intention to recognize and appreciate Heartiest who have served selflessly and supported and provided their service during this pandemic. The celebration was done for three long days at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre from October 12th to October 14th, 2021. The main aim is to recognize Heartiest and take time to appreciate them by saying out loud “We Thank You and Value You”.

For the staff, the hotel has organized many entertainment activities. The management has taken an opportunity for recognizing and address the core human emotion of grief, loss, and anxiety in their personal and professional space due to COVID’19 and thereby living Accor’s Heartiest philosophy of ‘We are One’. The event is a combination of Physical Presence as well Virtual presence for outstation warriors. The event started by welcoming the employees with a red carpet and music followed by the special banthi bhojanam (lunch) for employees.

Hotel have organized a ceremony to pay tribute to Heartiest or their close ones who have lost their lives to Covid’19. Also, the team NHCC had the honour of felicitating the Covid Warriors (Heartiest + Their Family Members), for their relentless efforts. The second day of the event was also packed with various fun-filled events for the employees starting with breakfast, morning tea, and a special food festival during lunchtime also with the interesting games like Anonymous Message Game and Flash Dance Reel.

To encourage the random act of kindness the HOD’s have given creative surprises to their team. Hotel General Member which helped them to get nominated to the Unsung Hero. Overall, it focused on discovering the crisis and celebrating the value of ‘Care Limitless’.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, said, “We are glad to see the response from the team during the “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021”.  The three days event is our way to show our gratitude towards our employees who served relentlessly during the COVID’19’ also we are so proud of their efforts that they put in to make our guests feel safe & welcome throughout the pandemic. We have received outstanding service and support from our employees and we are always looking for activities to gather and motivate our team."

Appointment | Raj Kumar joins Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre as Executive Chef

Raj Kumar

Raj Kumar joins Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre as Executive Chef. 

Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre has announced the appointment of Raj Kumar as Executive Chef, with more than 13 years of experience in restaurants and luxury hotels. 

In his new role, he will be spearheading the culinary operations, guest satisfaction, conceptualizing food festivals. He believes in the fundamentals of seasonality and freshness that make the dish sets apart. 

Chef Raj brings with him a wealth of experience in the hospitality arena, having worked with several luxury Brands like TAJ, ITC, Hyatt, Radisson Hotels & Lebua to name a few. Prior to joining Holiday Inn  Jaipur City Centre, he was associated with Radisson Blu Ludhiana as Executive Chef. 

As Executive Chef, Raj will oversee all of the hotel’s culinary operations including its All Day Dining  Monarch, Pan-Asian specialty Chao Chinese Bistro, Roadhouse Bar & Grill, and The Ten Kings Bar. He will also oversee the hotel’s in-room dining program, banquets, and catering events. 

With his wealth of experience and expertise in various properties around the region, he will be fundamental in creating and delivering unforgettable dining experiences at the Holiday Inn Jaipur City  Centre.

Reopening |Roseate Hotels & Resorts reopens ISKATE by Roseate at the Ambience Mall, Gurugram

It offers sports, entertainment and business offerings for children and adults

ISKATE has reopened its doors for visitors in New Delhi. It was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayogand. Spread over 15,000 square feet, the rink gives visitors an opportunity to skate on real ice. 

Believing in encouraging participants with special needs, ISKATE has hosted the Special Olympics National Coaching Camps in figure and speed skating. A Bird Group company, it fills the gap of training in ice skating through ISKATE School. A team of experienced coaches will provide training under three categories ‘Figure Skating’, ‘Speed Skating’ and ‘Ice Hockey’ for all age groups at affordable charges.

At the Snow Room, kids can play snow games with their family and friends. Another interesting activity space is the new ‘Toofan’ where one can have a thrilling experience in a setup of high speed winds.

With the capacity of 150 skaters and 200 spectators, ISKATE also has a co-working space where one can work in a professional set-up and conduct business meetings. ‘Roasted by Roseate’, a café with presence in New Delhi, will serve a selection of hand-crafted patisserie and savouries delights along with a selection of handcrafted coffees & teas. These include starters, wholesome sandwiches, burgers and popular Italian dishes like pizzas, pastas and risotto.
 
Speaking on the occasion, Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts said, “ISKATE by Roseate will be a game changer in the way India will be looked at for international Ice skating trainings and tournaments as it’s a world class facility for athletes and recreational seekers. Reopening the arena under Roseate Hotels and Resorts, it now promises to be grander in the new avatar. The facility also aims to be more inclusive in training by extending opportunities to underprivileged athletes every year.”
Karan Rai, Business Head, ISKATE by Roseate added, “Delighted to share that ISKATE has now evolved into a unique lifestyle entertainment concept which caters to all age groups. Equipped with new offerings, it’s soon to become a one stop shop business cum leisure destination not just for ice skating enthusiasts & youth, but also for office goers looking for a co-working space, café & space for hosting events. We are also proud to announce the launch of ISKATE School, one of its kind in the nation which will be open for training all year round to encourage the sport amongst the ice skating enthusiasts. Throughout the year, we promote winter games&give opportunity to deprived children with hidden talent by training them, as an initiative under our CSR program.”

Appointment | OYO appoints Paralympics medalist, Deepa Malik as an independent director

Malik is a silver medalist at the 2016-Paralympic Games and is currently the president of the Paralympic Committee of India.

Oravel Stays Limited (OYO) has announced the appointment of Deepa Malik, an Indian Athlete and a silver-medalist at the 2016-Paralympic Games, as an independent director on the company’s Board of directors as of September 26, 2021. Malik is currently the president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). Welcoming its newest board member, Ritesh Agarwal, chairman, founder, and group CEO, OYO said, “I have learned during my journey that having a diverse Board is one of the best ways to inculcate lateral thinking in the Board. We are delighted to welcome Deepa Malik to OYO’s board of directors. We have been working on making our company and the Board more inclusive over the last couple of years.”

NEWS | Carnival Corporation Named by Forbes as one of World's Best Employers

Carnival Corporation Named by Forbes as one of World's Best Employers

World's largest cruise company honored on Forbes' annual list of best global employers of 2021, based on employee rankings and public perception for key factors such as working conditions, salary, potential for growth and diversity

MIAMI, Oct.ober, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced it has been named as one of the World's Best Employers of 2021 by Forbes, a leading source of business news worldwide.

Presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, the prestigious annual listing honors the best international employers from over 35 major industries, including travel and leisure. In Forbes' fifth annual survey, Carnival Corporation – whose nine popular cruise line brands include namesake Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in the U.S., along with AIDA Cruises, Cunard, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia – was ranked among the best 750 employers in the world based on results and feedback from 150,000 full- and part-time workers at multinational companies and institutions from 58 countries. The full list of the World's Best Employers for 2021 is available on the Forbes website.

"We are honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of the top employers in the world, and we are extremely proud of our talented and passionate team members whose dedication and commitment is the foundation of our success," said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. "We fully embrace the importance and value of providing an inclusive and supportive work environment for all of our colleagues, and operating with integrity, trust and respect for each other. We are grateful to see the hard work of our entire team lead to recognition of this magnitude."

Frizzell added: "Our ongoing focus to create one of the best places to work in the world is reflected in our highest responsibility and top priority, which is compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we visit, and our shipboard and shoreside personnel."

The Forbes World's Best Employers list was determined through a globally administered independent survey of more than 150,000 employees in 58 countries working full- or part-time. Participants were asked to anonymously evaluate their current employer based on factors such as willingness to recommend their company to family and friends, while also providing recommendations for other employers in their industry. Respondents also ranked their satisfaction with various aspects of the overall employee experience, including working conditions, salary, potential for growth and diversity. Based on these direct and indirect employee recommendations, along with public perception scores, Forbes included only the top 750 companies out of thousands of organizations considered for the recognition.

This latest honor as a top international employer is the most recent in a series of recognitions Carnival Corporation has earned for excellence in the workplace in 2021, including a separate listing from Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers. Earlier this year, Carnival Corporation was named a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award Winner honoring the best 100 U.S. places to work and earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2021 Corporate Equality Index, designating the company as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. Carnival Corporation was also recognized for its commitment to corporate social responsibility leadership by Newsweek on its second annual list of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2021. Most recently, the company was named as one of the Best Companies for Latinos by Latino Leaders Magazine.

The recognition for excellence in the workplace underscores Carnival Corporation's commitment to support diversity, equity and inclusion throughout its companywide operations and to provide a positive and empowering corporate culture for all its shipboard and shoreside employees. The company's success is a direct result of its employees, who represent nearly 150 countries across the globe and have helped create a collaborative and dedicated workforce committed to consistently exceeding guest expectations and providing extraordinary vacations for millions of guests around the world.

About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines sailing to all seven continents. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Eclat Insights | A New Moment of Truth Gap

A new Moment of Truth Gap is the time it takes from having ordered something and receiving it. source

This gap can have branded moments.

• For example, a customer buys shaving cream through an online retailer. In addition to the notice that the product has shipped, the company can now provide suggestions on how to best use the product. Maybe it’s the middle of winter and the company sends a link to a video on how to protect your skin against dry and windy weather.

Why is it relevant to Hospitality & Service Industries

• There are many ways to look at this. How do you reinforce your brand while the guest waits for something they have ordered and are anticipating.

• In many service interactions, or what is traditionally called Moments Of Truth, almost every other gap seems to have been calibrated, except this one.

Actionable Insights

• Step 1 - Make a list of all such experiences. Examples could be guests booking a stay, booking a spa session, ordering a meal, confirming an event etc.

• Step 2 - For each of these experiences, develop 3 things you can do after the guest books and before the guest consumes the service.

• Step 3 - Create small interactions to make this gap add to the anticipation.

Real-World Example

Let's take the example of a family booking a holiday with a resort. The holiday is 2 weeks from the day they booked the holiday. What can you do for this new Moment Of Truth?

• Idea 1 - You can send them an email a week prior to arrival that tells them a little bit more about what all the resort offers; activities, events, etc.

• Idea 2 - You can ask them to choose a room based on the view. Send them 2 different pics of the views and they can choose one.

• Idea 3 - You can remind them to put email auto-responders, coz they will be on vacation. The joy of the holiday starts way before the holiday.

We would love to hear what you have added to your processes from this. As always, if you need any assistance do reach out to p.bedi@eclathospitality.com

Prabhjot

Bedi

is an Hospitality Ideator. A process innovator, trainer, and professional speaker, he has worked with the Taj Group of Hotels, conducted training programs for hospitality leaders, launched a National Council Accredited Hospitality Institute as Principal, successfully launched and sold three hospitality businesses. He now assists hospitality leaders and educators in creating superlative services and products. He also edits the very popular www.hospemag.com - the largest hospitality career e-mag

NEWs | Pride Group of Hotels introduces staycations, keeping the ‘new normal’ in mind

These getaways are customisable and available at their city hotels and resorts.

Staycations became popular after the pandemic began due to the restriction and risks involved in long-distance travel. Now people are going on vacation in the same city to break the monotony of working from home, kids' online classes, or hectic household tasks.
The Pride Group Of Hotels has also introduced staycation packages to offer safe revenge travel. These ultra-luxe packages are safe, wellness-curated, and customized as per the traveler’s need. With the Staycation offers, guests can now explore the same city like a tourist at a drivable distance and is budget-friendly.

These stays are available at their properties in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Nagpur, Pune, Indore, Udaipur and at their resorts in Jaipur, Goa, Puri, Gangtok, Rajkot, Bharatpur, Dapoli, Mussoorie, etc

NEWS | Ibis launches its third and largest property in Mumbai

Located in Vikhroli, the new property has 249 rooms, which are designed in six different themes, capturing Mumbai’s essence.

ibis, the smart economy hospitality brand from the Accor portfolio, has launched its third and largest property in Mumbai – ibis Mumbai Vikhroli. Located in the corporate hub of Mumbai, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, the new-generation design hotel reflects symbols inspired by “Aamchi Mumbai” culture for the new-age traveler.

The property is conveniently situated 10 km from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and 5 km from the Ghatkopar Metro Station.

The 15-floor ibis Mumbai Vikhroli features 249 comfortable rooms with large windows, stylish wardrobes, sleek TV panels and the much loved ‘Sweet Bed’ by ibis. The rooms are designed in six different themes, featuring the city’s heartbeat - the local train, its pride- the Dabbawalas, the beautiful Mumbai skyline, royal lifestyle of the Maratha empire, flamingos- migratory birds that flock to Mumbai, and Kolam- a traditional form of art drawn using rice flour.

NEWS | St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Plans to Double Its Global Resort Portfolio Over the Next Five Years by Debuting in the World’s Most Glamorous Destinations

Iconic Luxury Brand to Usher in a New Era of Enchantment in the World’s Most Exquisite Leisure Locales in Bermuda, Mexico, Morocco, Aruba, China, the Dominican Republic, Oman and Qatar

Solidifying St. Regis Hotels & Resorts’ position as a leader in luxury, the iconic brand expects to expand its existing portfolio of 15 curated resorts with plans to debut eleven new enchanted escapes by 2025 in some of the world’s most coveted leisure destinations, including locales most desired by the next generation of luxury travelers within the Caribbean, North America, North Africa, Middle East and the Asia Pacific. St. Regis has 49 open hotels and resorts today, with 29 hotels and resorts in its pipeline, representing expected growth of nearly 60 percent over the next five years in both urban and leisure destinations.

“This is a pivotal moment for St. Regis as we expect to nearly double our existing resort portfolio by 2025. Our resorts offer a leisure experience inspired by the glamorous private retreats of St. Regis’ founding family, the Astors, and we cannot wait to bring the brand’s spirit of invention and cherished traditions to some of the world’s most beguiling destinations,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “From Los Cabos to Sanya, and Marrakech to the Riviera Maya, we are thoughtfully expanding the brand while marking a commitment to providing extraordinary resort experiences in the places where we know global luminaries want to travel.”

These highly anticipated new resorts will introduce the brand’s visionary spirit, avant-garde style and bespoke service in some of the most dynamic and compelling markets across the globe. Expanding its footprint in Mexico, St. Regis is expected to debut The St. Regis Kanai Resort in 2022 and The St. Regis Los Cabos Resort in 2023. Located in the captivating Mayan Riviera, The St. Regis Kanai Resort will feature a sophisticated design that boasts breathtaking ocean views from every vantage point, with plans that call for 124 guest rooms and suites, as well as 32 exclusive villas with private pools. The striking St. Regis Los Cabos Resort will be located on 33 pristine acres in Quivira, Los Cabos, featuring 1,200 ft. of panoramic coastal views. The resort is expected to offer 120 rooms and 60 residences, as well as a spa, golf course, beach club and three distinctive dining experiences. In the Middle East, the brand plans to grow its presence in Qatar with the expected early 2022 opening of The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, which will feature architecture influenced by the distinct Andalusian and Arabesque style and offer stunning views of the Arabian Gulf.

With a continued focus on the Caribbean in the coming years, in 2024 St. Regis is expected to debut in Aruba with The St. Regis Aruba Palm Beach Resort, as well as in the Dominican Republic with the highly anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort.

The brand also anticipates celebrating its entry into Oman in 2024 with The St. Regis Al Mouj Resort in Muscat, and in the same year, expects the debut of The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort in Sanya, Hainan’s most southern tip, which is often referred to as the “Hawaii of the East”. Additionally, St. Regis is expected to open a property in Africa, with the debut of The St. Regis Marrakech Resort slated for 2025.

St. Regis’ existing resort portfolio touches all corners of the globe, ranging from Bal Harbour to Bora Bora and Aspen to Abu Dhabi. Most recently, in May 2021, The St. Regis Bermuda Resort opened its doors in the historic town of St. George’s. Just steps from the soft white sands of St. Catherine’s Beach, the resort boasts 120 elegant guestrooms including 29 exquisite suites and an ultra-luxury residential development offering two- and three-bedroom residences. Each guestroom is designed to bring the outdoors in, with custom furnishings, marble bathrooms, and a private balcony with breathtaking ocean views. Guests are able to enjoy unparalleled leisure and wellness facilities, including the historic Five Forts Golf Course, St. Regis Spa, and state-of-the-art cuisine. The St. Regis Qingdao debuted in August 2021 and features 233 guest rooms designed to pay homage to the destination and welcomes guests to enjoy one of China’s most beautiful coastal cities. Travelers can experience winding cobbled streets and heritage German architecture, or they can relax at one of the beaches nestled against the Yellow Sea. Additionally, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico recently reopened following a $60 million renovation inclusive of the resort’s 139 guestrooms and suites, seaside pool and esplanade, and the spa.

NEWS | MINT TO BRING NEW LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MARRIOTT

MINT TO BRING NEW LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MARRIOTT

Further to its obligation to keep stakeholders informed of material events, Minor International (“MINT”) makes the following statement:

MINT has filed a legal claim in Thai court against Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) in relation to the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (the “JW Marriott Phuket”) which is owned by MINT and operated by the Marriott group. MINT’s claim is for THB 570.6 million and alleges that Marriott has committed a number of offenses under Thai law, including:

·        competing with the JW Marriott Phuket through its operation of competing Marriott portfolio hotels;

·        using the JW Marriott Phuket facilities to promote Marriott’s other competing hotels;

·        misappropriating MINT’s confidential and proprietary information to benefit Marriott’s own interests;

·        operating its loyalty program in bad faith and against the interests of MINT as hotel owner;

·        failing to manage the JW Marriott Phuket in a manner to protect and benefit the owner’s interest; and

·        unduly enriching itself at the expense of the hotel and MINT, through hidden license fee arrangements and supplier rebates and use of monies in the Marriott loyalty program fund.

MINT is pleased to confirm that its legal action in Thailand remains ongoing (although slowed by Covid) and will be pursued until MINT’s claims are fully addressed. Further updates will be provided to the market in due course.

In addition to its legal claims in the Thai courts, MINT is also imminently initiating further legal action against Marriott, claiming breaches by Marriott of its fiduciary duties toward MINT as the owner of the JW Marriott Phuket. MINT expects that this case will have wide-ranging relevance to the hotel market and highlight a number of problematic business practices by Marriott. Further details will be shared with the market in due course, in the interest of keeping MINT’s stakeholders fully informed as this matter progresses.

About Minor International: Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three core businesses: hospitality, restaurants, and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is a hotel owner, operator, and investor with a portfolio of 527 hotels under the Anantara, AVANI, Oaks, Tivoli, NH Collection, NH Hotels, how, Elewana, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Radisson Blu, and Minor International brands in 55 countries across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, South, and North America. MINT is also one of Asia’s largest restaurant companies with over 2,300 outlets system-wide in 26 countries under The Pizza Company, The Coffee Club, Riverside, Benihana, Thai Express, Bonchon, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King and Coffee Journey. MINT is one of Thailand’s largest distributors of lifestyle brands and contract manufacturers. Its brands include Anello, Bodum, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Esprit, Joseph Joseph, Radley, Scomadi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels and Minor Smart Kids.

For more information, please contact Stephen Chojnacki at +34669387385 or visit www.minor.com.

Appointments | Narendra Babu Join Grand Victoria The Fern Resort & Spa, Panchgani as the New General Manager

Narendra Babu - Grand Victoria The Fern Resort & Spa, Panchgani

Narendra Babu has joined as the General Manager at Grand Victoria The Fern Resort & Spa, Panchgani.

He has close to two decades of experience across brands like The Oberoi, Four Seasons and Marriott International.

He has previously worked for six pre-openings and gained experience across India covering Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and international exposure at Maldives for a period of more than two years.

Appointment | Rajesh Kumar - La-Paz Gardens Beacon, Vasco da Gama, Goa as General Manager

Rajesh Kumar - La-Paz Gardens Beacon, Vasco da Gama, Goa

Rajesh Kumar has joined as the General Manager at La-Paz Gardens Beacon, Vasco da Gama, Goa.

He has completed his Diploma from IHM Madras (Diploma in hotel Management), and has done his MBA from the University of Pondicherry.

Rajesh has over 22 years of work experience and has worked in Grand Palace Hotel & Spa – Tamil Nadu, Arcot Woodlands Hotel – Tamil Nadu, Woods at Sasan Resort – Gujarat.

His last employment was with La Villa Shanti – Pondicherry. 

AWARDS | Chef Vivek Chauhan wins pastry chef of the year award, 2021

Chef Vivek Chauhan wins pastry chef of the year award, 2021

Greater Noida, October 2021: Chef Vivek Chauhan, the Executive Pastry Chef at Le Meridien, has been recently awarded Pastry Chef of the Year by the IHE2021 Excellence Awards held at IEML Greater Noida for his accomplished reputation in Culinary art and his contribution in skill sharing and knowledge. 

Contestants were drawn from hundreds of nominations. These were whittled down to 8 finalists, out of which the award was bestowed upon Chef Vivek Chauhan, Le Meridien, New Delhi, and Rishabh Sharma from Leela Palace, New Delhi.  

This year 100 hospitality professionals from across the country got honored from the India International Hospitality Expo (IHE) 2021 from September 24-27, 2021. 

The four-day event IHE Excellence Awards honour the best of the best hoteliers in their respective regions and across the nation. After mega-successful two on-ground and one virtual edition of India International Hospitality Expo that left the most prominent names from the hospitality industry enthralled, IHE was all set for the fourth edition. Promising to be more focused on B2B meetings, this event continued to make the hospitality and F&B industry a catalyst for the region’s economic growth and work towards its lofty vision – to become the Biggest Hospitality and F&B Show in Asia.

Sharing his thoughts on achieving this recognition, Chef Vivek Chauhan said, “I am honoured to receive the award as it gives me an incredible pride. I am happy that the hospitality industry has been proactive engaging and cheering up the hope amongst professionals and businesses since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic last year, and processes for seamless continuity through organising such events”.

Chef Vivek Chauhan was later applauded by Chef Davinder Kumar, the Executive Chef & Vice resident at Le Meridien Hotel New Delhi. 

About Chef Vivek:

A patissier and chocolatier, Chef Vivek Chauhan is a highly accoladed Patisserie Chef with an illustrious experience of 22 years, currently associated with Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi. An IHM, Gwalior graduate in Hotel Management, Chef Vivek's passion to learn beyond stereotypical creations and reinventions has allowed him to work with Michelin Star Chefs Allyn Williams and Chef Eric Chavot & others of International Reputees. His culinary experience includes his incredible years at various prestigious properties - Taj Mahal Hotel, One Aldwych, London, The Lancaster London, the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, The Westbury Mayfair, London and The Imperial, New Delhi. Chef Vivek is a recipient of multiple honours and awards; most notable among them is the most recent‘ Pastry Chef of the Year 2018' conferred upon by ICF. He has also hosted opulent dinners for the Association of Pastry Chefs and Craft Guild of Chefs in the UK.

BEST PRACTICE | Mercure Hyderabad KCP celebrates “Employee Gratitude Week”

Mercure Hyderabad KCP celebrates “Employee Gratitude Week”

Hyderabad, 12 th October 2021: Mercure Hyderabad KCP celebrates “Employee Gratitude Week” with an aim to acknowledge and recognize the employee’s relentless efforts in delivering the highest standards of services, contributing towards the success of the hotel. The theme of this event this year is #Care Limitless. The name of this event this year is being changed from “Celebration” to “Gratitude” with a sole intention to recognize and appreciate Heartists who have served selflessly and supported and provided their service during this pandemic. The celebration was done for three long days at Mercure Hyderabad KCP from October 4th to October 6th, 2021. 

For its staff, Mercure Hyderabad KCP organized many entertainment activities such as Tambola, Burger Challenge, Badminton competition, Zumba dance, and Tug of War as part of the countrywide celebrations at all Accor Hotels. As part of its CSR initiatives, Mercure partnered with Goonj, a non-profit organization that helps the underprivileged in society, and spent time with them, as well as celebrating the "Daan Utsav" by collecting all types of clothing from employees to give back to society and make a difference in the lives of these people.

At the cafeteria, they had put up a Punjabi-themed food festival. A modest chat show was prepared for the personnel to address the epidemic in light of it. All of the employees were entertained to a screening of the film "Bell Bottom," and the event concluded with an award ceremony and a cultural evening, followed by a gala dinner.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Soumitra Pahari, General Manager, Mercure Hyderabad KCP, said, “We are amazed by the overwhelming response from the team during the ‘Employee Gratitude Week’. The three days event is our way to show our gratitude towards our most valuable assets - our Team and the efforts that they put in to make our guests feel welcome. We have received outstanding service and support from our employees even during this pandemic. We are constantly looking for activities to bring our employees together and create a synergy within the team."

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