News | Restaurants in Maharashtra must shut at midnight, says govt

A day after two state ministers, Mumbai island city guardian minister Aslam Shaikh and health minister Rajesh Tope, said deadlines for the city's restaurants and eateries would be restored to pre-pandemic timings of 1.30am and for shops up to midnight, the state government issued an order allowing restaurants and eateries to operate till midnight and shops till 11pm.

Business hours of these establishments had so far been curbed to 10pm. With the extension, shop timings are back to pre-Covid times. While pre-Covid closing timing for vegetarian restaurants was 12.30am, restaurants and bar owners, who had hoped the state would restore their 1.30am deadline, were left disappointed."Many sectors like colleges, theatres and amusement parks will reopen this week, and we want to see the impact on cases. We want to give further relaxations, but in a phased manner," an official said. District administrations can curb timings depending on conditions, but cannot give an extension without the disaster management authority's consent.The order issued by the state government said that with the extension of timings, all other guidelines like 50% capacity for restaurants and the need to have fully vaccinated staffers in shops will continue. “The government observed that in light of the upcoming festive season, staggered timings for functioning of establishments like shops, restaurants and hotels will only lead to more crowding, hence a decision was taken to extend the timings,” the official said. District administrations have been allowed to restrict timings considering local conditions, but they cannot give further extension without the consent of the state disaster management authority.

The hospitality industry felt the timings should have gone back to the pre-Covid hours. Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) senior vice-president Pradeep Shetty said, “We welcome the Maharashtra government’s decision of extending the time of operations for restaurants till midnight. The additional two hours will provide much-needed succor to the beleaguered hospitality industry. The sector has been one of those most affected by Covid restrictions. However, we wish an extension had been granted till the pre-Covid deadline of 1.30 am and, considering the onset of the wedding season, it had been accompanied by the lifting of restrictions on banquets, weddings and events. The current limit of a hundred guests for weddings and social events is prohibitive and unviable under present circumstances.”AHAR president Shivanand Shetty said, “We will comply with the order, but it would have been better if timings had been extended till 1.30am as it is festival time and people like to spend time outside with friends and relatives. Restoring timings to pre-Covid days will help the industry recover quickly from the state of disorder it has been pushed into for the past 18 months.”Viren Shah of the Retailers Federation said that although most standalone shops in the city shut by 10pm, the 11pm deadline will help malls do some additional business.

Marriott News | The Spotlight on Iceland’s Capital City Shines Even Brighter with The Arrival of the Reykjavik Edition

With typical élan, Ian Schrager has captured the spirit of Iceland and set a new standard of luxury in its capital city.

A flourishing culinary hotspot with cool cafés, a rollicking nightlife and an epic music scene, the spotlight is shining brightly on Iceland’s hip capital city and, with typical finesse, the arrival of The Reykjavik EDITION further cements EDITION Hotels' uncanny ability to land in just the right place at the right time. “Reykjavik is a really cool, young city -perfect for our brand,” says Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique hotel concept, PUBLIC and EDITION creator. “We think this is Reykjavik’s time and we’re right here at the very heart of it and at the perfect time.”

Opening in preview on November 9th, 2021, The Reykjavik EDITION will set a new standard as the city’s first truly luxury hotel experience, combining the best of the Icelandic capital with the personal, intimate and individual experience that the EDITION brand is known for. The result is a vibrant and sophisticated urban hub with 253 rooms, an outstanding line-up of bars, signature restaurant and nightclub and, in true EDITION style, the introduction of a new kind of modern social wellness concept. In the land of hot springs, mineral waters and natural fjords, this creative innovation, visceral emotional experience and authenticity of Ian Schrager, together with Marriott International’s long-standing operational expertise and global reach, results in a totally distinct offering that further boosts Reykjavik’s growing allure as a world class international cosmopolitan destination.

Iceland is an aspirational destination for many, in-between North America and Western Europe - increased flight routes, and its otherworldly landscape, drawing visitors from far and wide. The Reykjavik EDITION is the first true luxury brand entering the market which has facilities and services like no other. First appearing on the map when American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer won the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik in 1972, Schrager, who was following the event at the time, says he was taken aback by the country’s unspoiled, natural beauty. Indeed, marooned in the North Atlantic Ocean, just beneath the Arctic Circle, Iceland is quite literally in the making, its constantly evolving landscape the result of rumbling volcanoes, bubbling hot springs, erupting geysers and shifting tectonic plates. All of this has resulted in a spectacular, mystical medley of bright green moss-carpeted lava fields, soaring glaciers and rugged mountains sliced by deep, river-cut valleys. “In Iceland, you’re getting to see things you won’t see anywhere else,” says Schrager. “More so than any other place in the world, it’s a real opportunity to get in touch with earth and nature and we’re proud to further expand the EDITION brand in an incredible place with an incredibly exciting hotel that gives you a true sense of place.”

Using his Midas touch, Ian Schrager has carefully conceived, concepted and programmed the hotel to create alchemy and sense of magic exclusive to this hotel. The Reykjavik EDITION designed in partnership with local architecture firm, T.ark and New York-based studio, Roman and Williams with guidance of ISC (Ian Schrager Company) design, subtly captures the spirit of Reykjavik while avoiding the clichés and remaining firmly rooted in the EDITION brand’s strong sense of refined sophistication and style. On a harborside perch, against glorious mountain views, the hotel is in a flawless location at the heart of the city: adjacent to Harpa, the landmark concert hall and conference center - whose multicolored glass façade was designed by the celebrated Icelandic and Danish artist Olafur Eliasson - and just minutes from Laugavegur, the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavik.

From the outside, The Reykjavik EDITION is a striking addition to this downtown neighborhood. Its ebony façade of shou sugi ban timber has been charred to be blacked using an ancient Japanese technique, and blackened steel frames is a clear nod to Iceland’s dramatic lava landscape. The simple, clean-lines of the building itself have been angled to make the most of the views and its lively harborside setting with a double-entrance lobby accessible either from the pedestrian Harpa plaza, or the Harbor. The latter - in a grand sense of arrival similar to The Times Square EDITION - features a canopy, its underside illuminated by 12,210 glass LED nodes.

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New Opening | World’s first Warner Bros. Hotel to open its doors to guests in November

The Warner Bros Abu Dhabi hotel on Yas Island will be operated by Hilton under the Curio Collection brand

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of magnetic experiences in collaboration with Warner Bros., home to one of the most well-known and successful collections of brands and characters in the world, announced today that The WB Abu Dhabi hotel on Yas Island, operated by Hilton under the Curio Collection brand, will open its doors to guests on 11 November 2021, inviting guests to see their favorite stories and characters brought to life through unique hospitality experiences that only the rich history and storied legacy of Warner Bros. could offer.

Featuring one of the finest collections of Warner Bros. archives, guests at the world’s first Warner Bros. hotel will be treated to a journey of discovery through film and television, enjoying Warner Bros.’ rich history and library of timeless productions at every touchpoint from arrival to check-out. While dining in one of five restaurants on the property, you can listen as the piano from “Westworld” plays a familiar tune. Visitors can stroll through the lobby or admire the 360-degree city and sea views alongside their favorite props and costumes from Warner Bros. films and TV shows.  And kids and families can ring up one of their favorite Looney Tunes characters for a room service treat brought to them by the Wascally Wabbit, Bugs Bunny himself.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, said: “We are proud to be launching another first with the opening of the only Warner Bros. hotel in the world. This new story-driven hospitality experience is set to excite guests from all over the world, further reinforcing Yas Island’s position as a global entertainment, leisure and business destination and supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambition to attract greater numbers of local and international tourists. We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and Hilton with this unique one-of-a kind experience.”

Pam Lifford, President of WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences said: “Opening the doors to the first ever Warner Bros. branded hotel is a moment that we have long dreamed of, and it’s truly magnificent. The Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment team and our incredible partners at Miral and Hilton, designed this with fans in mind and have curated an outstanding hospitality experience that gives guests from around the world a unique way to further connect with the iconic Warner Bros. brands, franchises, and characters they love. The WB Abu Dhabi truly is the perfect experience to enjoy and relax while visiting Warner Bros. World right next door!

Guests of The WB Abu Dhabi hotel begin their story as they pull up to the hotel and are greeted by digital screens that span the height of the building, playing original content created for the hotel. Before entering the hotel visitors won’t want to miss the iconic “Friends” fountain, guests will then enter the lobby and be drawn to the hotel’s uniquely designed lobby columns. As guests continue their journey, the storytelling experience is further enriched with guest room corridors displaying a curated gallery of artwork.

Each of the hotel’s 257 rooms is furnished with touches that tie to the legacy of rich storytelling that makes Warner Bros. unique. The curated guestroom artwork will be inspired by three themes. The first theme, “From Script to Screen,” highlights standout moments from Warner Bros.’ movies and shows and documents the journey from the written page to the final shot. The second theme, “Artist Confidential,” celebrates a variety of talent in front of and behind the camera in some of Warner Bros.’ favorite productions. The third theme, “The Vault” features rarely seen images from Warner Bros.’ most memorable archives.

Complementing the hotel’s unique design is an extensive and world class food and beverage program featuring five dining options catering to both adults and children. Craft Services, located in the lobby lounge, offers a relaxing coffee break after a busy day, while Sidekicks is the perfect place for socialising and interacting while enjoying a flavorful international menu. For those lounging by the pool in cabanas and sunbeds, The Matinee provides a casual dining option. Additionally, guests looking to indulge in an elegant dining experience, can visit The Director’s Club, or enjoy an experience at The Overlook, a fabulous lounge with a relaxing infinity pool and beautiful 360-degree city, theme park and sea views.

Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, Middle East Africa & Turkey, Hilton said: “Hilton is proud to be continuing our partnership with Miral as part of the ongoing transformation of Yas Island into a world class entertainment destination.  We look forward to the WB Hotel joining our Curio Collection soon, following on from Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island as the second of our three hotels to be opening on Yas Island with Miral.”

The hotel is home to a host of leisure amenities for guests to enjoy, whether that’s lounging by the family pool area, working out in the fitness center, relaxing in the spa, exploring the artwork and props or shopping in the Warner Bros. store, the Prop Shop. For younger guests, the Kid’s Club will offer a vibrant and playful space designed to bring Warner Bros. characters to life. Some of WB’s world-renowned characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and others will participate in entertaining activities throughout the hotel providing guest memories that will last a lifetime. The hotel also caters for business meetings and events with a large ballroom and expansive meeting room facilities.

The WB Abu Dhabi is located adjacent to the award-winning Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the world's largest indoor theme park which features six truly immersive lands, including DC's Metropolis and Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza, along with 29 state-of-the-art exhilarating rides, interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment. The hotel is also a walking distance from Yas Waterworld and a 5- minute drive to all other Yas Island unique attractions and experiences.

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NEWS | Jellyfish Watersports & Kerala Tourism to kickstart Chaliyar River Paddle from 12th November

Jellyfish Watersports & Kerala Tourism to kickstart Chaliyar River Paddle from 12th November

The 7th edition of Chaliyar River Paddle will be held from November 12th to November 14th, 2021 with a message to go ‘plastic negative’.

The three-day paddling event organized by Jellyfish Watersports in association with Kerala Tourism promotes an eco-friendly watersports experience that connects younger and grownups to our waters.

The 68 km paddle will start from Nilambur, located on the foothills of Western ghats in Malappuram, and conclude at Beypore in Kozhikode district, where the river meets with the Arabian Sea.

The Chaliyar River Paddle offers opportunities at various levels from beginners to non-swimmers to well-established water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, tourists, children, and people from all walks of life. The event naturally promotes our rivers, their beauty, authentic Malabar cuisine, and offers a unique opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. Local music bands will be joining hands to promote their talent and offers a relaxing evening to the paddlers. Food will be catered by the best local restaurants such as Calicut Paragon. 

Covid safety protocols will be followed throughout the event and a Covid vaccination certificate is a prerequisite to participate in the event. This year, given the situation, this event will be promoted as a phoenix event to boost tourism activities in Kerala. The event will offer an expedition, camping, and a source to the sea paddling experience, using Kayaks, SUP's, Raft and this year on 3rd day, the organizers are introducing sculling (rowers) and dinghy sailboats making it a wider range of non-motorized, human-powered watercraft used.

“Chaliyar River Paddle has been focused on saving our rivers from urban pollution and promote recreational kayaking for everyone. It is a plastic negative event, hence the paddlers will help clean the river while kayaking. We have partnered with a local NGO, who will provide the participants a collection bags and carry the waste to their recycling and waste management facility. They will also educate participants on proper segregation, responsible consumption, and waste management. It is all about getting the Kerala tourism sector to bounce back from the Covid pandemic along with spreading awareness about the environment and particularly the rampant plastic pollution in the river,” says Kaushiq Kodithodika, Founder, Jellyfish Water Sports.

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New Opening | IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts Holiday Inn Express brand in Jaipur

IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts Holiday Inn Express brand in Jaipur

The company continues to build on its growth momentum in India by                        strategically expanding the brand portfolio across key cities

New Delhi, October 2021:  IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with notable real estate developer, Dinesh Kumar Choudhary (HUF) for a new hotel – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh located at Gopalpura Byepass,  in the capital of Rajasthan. The brownfield hotel featuring 141 keys is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2023. 

Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and one of the most popular leisure destinations, both for domestic and international travelers. It is an integral part of the Golden Triangle, a prominent tourist circuit connecting the national capital Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and is also a preferred wedding destination in India. Furthermore, the city houses numerous industries and is considered as the economic capital of Rajasthan. With the new signing of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh, the city will now have three IHG hotels between Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express, catering to varied guest profiles. 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be located on the Gopalpura Bypass road, at a convenient 15-minute drive from the airport. The hotel will also be at a short driving distance from the city center, business district, tourist attractions, as well as key dining and shopping destinations. With excellent visibility and access, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will provide a convenient stay experience to both business and leisure travelers.

The newly signed hotel will feature well-appointed modern guest rooms and all the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay experience. The hotel will also have the brand’s signature ‘Great Room’, ‘Small Bar’, a specialty restaurant, and a lounge to relax and unwind. Other essential facilities will include a fitness room and meeting spaces for business and social gatherings.  

Commenting on the new development, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Jaipur and solidify our presence in the state of Rajasthan. With a rich culture, history and cuisine, Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. With diverse guest profiles visiting the city, there is an increasing need for mainstream accommodation, and we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be a great choice for travelers looking for a simple and engaging hotel stay experience. 

He added: this new signing is also in line with our strategy to expand our ‘essentials collection’ across key markets in India and further strengthen our mainstream presence in the country, in line with market demands.” 

Mr. Dinesh Kumar Choudhary, Head of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) added, “We are excited to partner with an internationally and domestically known and trusted hospitality brand like IHG. With a combination of an excellent location, the power of IHG’s distribution system, strong loyalty programme and expertise in the hospitality segment, we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will emerge as a popular choice amongst the travellers visiting Jaipur.”

Holiday Inn Express is one of IHG’s fastest-expanding hotel brands. It is designed for smart travelers who are looking for a simple, yet engaging place to reconnect and refresh. 

IHG® currently has 41 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 50 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years. 

Numbers as of June 30th, 2021.

About IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with the purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 16 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs, IHG has nearly 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline. 

• Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo

• Premium: HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, voco Hotels

• Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels

• Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites,  Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites 

I

Hilton News | Hilton Introduces Industry-Leading Tech Enhancements

Hilton Introduces Industry-Leading Tech Enhancements, Improving Guest Experience with Shareable Digital Room Keys, Automated Complimentary Room Upgrades and Confirmed Connecting Rooms

MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton today announced the latest in a series of technology innovations that enhance the guest experience across the company’s 18 world-class hotel brands.  In a first for a major hospitality company, Digital Key Share will allow more than one guest to have access to their room’s Digital Key, which turns the free Hilton Honors app on their smartphones into a room key.

Hilton also announced an enhancement to a highly valued Hilton Honors benefit, providing members with early confirmation of a favorite perk – complimentary room upgrades.  Eligible Gold and Diamond Hilton Honors members will be notified of their space-available upgrade 72 hours prior to arrival, enabling the member to choose their upgraded room directly when they check-in via the Hilton Honors app. 

These two enhancements join the recently launched Confirmed Connecting Rooms, another industry first that allows individuals to easily and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms at the time of booking. 

“We’ve always had our guests at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to listen, evolve and innovate to give them more choice and control over their hotel stay,” said Chris Silcock, executive vice president, and chief commercial officer, Hilton. “Our approach to technology always starts with the guest experience, and as travel returns, we are pleased to provide Hilton guests with enhancements to their stay that are seamless, flexible, and allow them to focus on what matters most – creating new memories.”

Sharing Your Digital Key with Travel Companions

Since its 2015 launch, Hilton’s Digital Key has expanded rapidly.  The technology is now available at more than 80% of Hilton’s portfolio, or close to 5,400 of Hilton’s more than 6,600 properties worldwide.  It has been used to open more than 135 million guestroom doors, and has reduced plastic waste by 125 tons, furthering Hilton’s Travel with Purpose commitment to cut its environmental footprint in half by 2030.  In the coming months, Digital Key Share will roll out globally to all hotels currently offering Digital Key technology.

How it Works: The primary guest can share their active Digital Key with up to four additional people or devices from the Hilton Honors app.  For the secondary guest to gain access to the Digital Key, they must receive an invitation from the primary guest, be logged into the Hilton Honors app and pass a security check that happens instantly in the background.  Guests who accept a share will have access to the room throughout the duration of the stay and, for security purposes, cannot further share the Digital Key. 

Enhancing the Complimentary Room Upgrade Benefit for Elite Members

Celebrating elite Gold and Diamond Hilton Honors members with complementary, space-available upgrades at the time of check-in is one of the program’s most important perks, and now, Hilton Honors is enhancing this valued benefit even further.  When possible, Hilton will notify Gold and Diamond members of their complimentary upgrade 72 hours prior to arrival.  This will enable the member to choose their upgraded room directly via the Hilton Honors app.  

How it Works: Eligible members will receive an email and a Hilton Honors app push notification alerting them of their complimentary upgraded room.  Once received, if the hotel offers Digital Check-In, the member can easily choose the location of their upgraded room through the app 36 hours prior to arrival.  All stays under seven nights are eligible for this confirmation, and it will be available in the coming months at all Hilton brands globally where space-available upgrades are currently offered, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Signia by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton. 

Easily Book and Instantly Confirm Connecting Rooms 

Earlier this year, Hilton launched a solution for a long-time travel planning frustration and was the first major hotel company to introduce a booking experience that allows individuals to easily book and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms.  This innovative technology, Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton, is rolling out globally and is available when booking on Hilton.com or through the Hilton Honors app at participating hotels within any of the portfolio’s 18 brands. 

How it Works: Individuals can book and instantly confirm connecting rooms in three easy steps. First, the guest selects the number of desired rooms, along with the destination and dates.  Then, when selecting a room, the guest checks the box to indicate “connecting rooms.”  Finally, the guest selects their desired connecting rooms and books their stay with instant confirmation. 

These innovations are a continuation of Hilton’s mission to further the digital welcome experience for valued guests and Hilton Honors members.  These enhancements increase flexibility for travelers so they can relax and enjoy their destination, whether traveling for business or leisure, with family or friends. Learn more at HiltonHonors.com.

Eclat Insights | The Compound Effect In Service Design

The idea is from the book 50 Activities For Achieving Excellent Customer Service by Darryl Doane.

I love compounding. The quote 'Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world' is attributed to Einstein. Until recently, I thought of it merely in terms of finance or rather growing money. When you think of it in terms of life, productivity, personal, team or business growth, it is even more potent. 

3 lines of What The Idea Is

• The compound effect is the strategy of reaping huge rewards from small, seemingly insignificant actions.

• Small choices + consistency + time = significant results #formulasforlife

• Using learning from each interaction, each incident, to shape future interactions and responses.

Why is it relevant to Hospitality & Service Industries

The number of interactions one of your guests has with your team over a 24 hour period could vary from type of service to type of guest, but for simplicity let's say it is just 2. Just 2 interactions, in 24 hours, per guest.

If you serve 100 guests a day, that is 200 interactions, which is 73,000 interactions in a year.

Imagine if you could record the learning from each of those interactions, and keep improving all future moments of truth.

Real-World Example

A guest asks a steward if there are any vegan options because he can't find them on the menu. You may not have vegan options or the options may not be visible easily. This is a service design flaw.

First, the steward helps the guest, if he can himself or by talking to the chef/manager.  

He makes a note of the request.

At the end of the shift, he hands over that to the manager or adds it to an online list.

A vegan menu is then created by the chef/manager.

When other guests inquire about a vegan menu, instead of pointing to some dishes on the menu, the guest is offered a special, standalone vegan menu.

If every interaction that is warranted a new, different response from the standard operating practices is recorded and actioned, you get a compound effect.

Actionable Insights

1. Ensure your team captures any situation, request, demand, question, that is not already framed and featured in your SOPs.

2. It could be as simple as where is the restaurant to who owns this place? No management judgement should be used to document. No filtering. 

3. Make it simple for your team to record all such incidents. Create a voicemail box, a simple email address, pen & paper, anything that they can do to capture the details where they work. If there is too much effort required to do so, it will not happen.

4. Create a Chief-Moment-Of-Truth Officer position to ensure that all such records are accessed, actioned and added to SOPs. p.s. Your SOPs are supposed to be living, breathing entities and not something that is filled away in vaults. 

 5. Reward the people who add/create more knowledge for everyone. 

Want to make this WOW? 

• Have a competition. See who can add the maximum new service intentions.

• Create customer personas to go through all your SOPs and see how to improve the experience.

The 5-second rule! - Do something about this right now!

Look at the last customer complaint you got. Was it something new? If it was, make sure you create a response for it and add it to your SOP.

We love creating amazing service processes. If you want to ideate on any of your processes write to me at p.bedi@eclathospitality.com. It's free coz it is fun for us.

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 | Cygnett Hotels & Resorts to add nine new properties to its portfolio

The new properties will come up in Dehradun, Jaipur (2 hotels), Bhiwadi, Dalhousie, Solan, Kolkata, Rajkot, and Goa

Cygnett Group of Hotels and Resorts plans to launch 9 new properties across multiple cities in different regions of India over the next six months. The new properties will come up in Dehradun, Jaipur (2 hotels), Bhiwadi, Dalhousie, Solan, Kolkata, Rajkot, and Goa.

The Cygnett Group is in the process of finalizing another 6 hotels, details of which will be announced soon. Like all Cygnett Group hotels, the new properties will target both business and leisure travelers. “There is a lot of pent-up demand, especially in the smaller cities and towns, and we want to aggressively capitalize on that demand,” said Sarbendra Sarkar, MD & Founder Cygnett Hotels & Resorts.

Speaking about the growth opportunities in India, Sarkar said, “We believe that the disruption created by the COVID-19 pandemic is now behind us and people have begun traveling again. The economy is steadily coming back on track and therefore the demand is accelerating, especially in non-metro cities.”

Pointing out that occupancy rates in Cygnett Group hotels have been going up for the past few months, Mr. Sarkar said that recovery in the hospitality sector has been faster than expected after the devastation caused by the pandemic.

Sarkar added that Cygnett properties are currently running at 70% occupancy as against India's average of 52% occupancy. He also highlighted the challenge of a declining Average Daily Rate (ADR). “ADR has gone down by 30% this season. That’s a little worrying for the industry,”  Sarkar said, adding that it would take another 8-10 months for the ADR to up to the pre-pandemic levels.

Initiative | Radisson Hotel Group becomes world’s first hotel group to offer carbon negative meetings

For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment

Radisson Hotel Group is set to become the world’s first hotel group to make all meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative. For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment.

For meetings booked between 18 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and taking place before 31st March 2022, Carbon Negative. Planet Positive will set a new sustainability standard in the global hospitality industry. The program allows clients to host meetings in a sustainable way by offsetting double the CO2 emissions from meetings and events free of charge to the client, making meetings that take place during this period at participating hotels carbon negative.

Carbon Negative. Planet Positive reinforces the Group’s 100% Carbon Neutral meetings offering, in place across the Group’s 1,600 hotels worldwide since 2019. The initiative forms part of the Group’s wider Responsible Business program which targets reducing the Group’s carbon footprint by 30%, and which aims to set science-based targets. Since the launch of the 100% Carbon Neutral Meetings program, the Group has offset over 30,300 tons of CO2 at no cost to its clients, which is the equivalent to removing more than 6,500 fuel driven cars1 off the road.

Carbon Negative, Planet Positive meetings complement the Group’s Hybrid Meetings solutions which launched in 2020 and offer owners and guests the flexibility and space optimization they require to better meet the rapid lifestyle changes of today’s travelers. Hybrid Meetings are available across more than 100 hotels in EMEA and contribute to a lighter scope 3 footprint for the client.

“The upcoming COP26 conference will see world leaders come together to discuss climate change which needs all our attention. At Radisson Hotel Group, we are constantly reviewing how we as a global business can influence positive climate action, and how we can encourage the hospitality industry to push the boundaries on green meetings and events. We are proud to be pioneering this initiative and trust that meeting organizers around the globe recognize the positive impact they can have on the environment as face-to-face meetings increase,” says Eric de Neef, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Branding & Commercial Officer.

“Carbon Negative. Planet Positive allows you to make your meetings carbon negative and your impact planet positive. With the return of business travel, now is the time to have a positive impact. For Radisson Hotel Group, it is important that we offset carbon emissions according to the highest quality standards and in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is why we select offsetting projects that are not only good for the environment, but also socially relevant. This initiative plays a key role in helping us achieve our Responsible Business targets to protect people, planet, and community,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications.

For each meeting, the carbon footprint is calculated using the HCMI methodology2 and then offset through projects which are Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) recognized. These projects combat climate change and contribute to sustainable development in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and include a clean cooking and safe water program in Kenya, wind farm projects in Turkey, India, and the US to generate green electricity, a forest protection program in Peru to reduce deforestation sustainably, and a biogas project in rural China. In addition, members of Radisson’s Radisson Rewards loyalty program can also choose to redeem their loyalty points to offset their stay.

New Launch | The Leela Gandhinagar introduces bespoke staycation packages

The Leela Gandhinagar has introduced three bespoke staycation packages for families of all kinds, that are sure to create memories during this festive time.

For a family that enjoys spending time together and yet loves individual spaces, the hotel offers the ‘Togetherness’ package. This includes a family stay in interconnecting rooms and more space for a memorable time together.

To add a luxurious indulgence to your stay, book the ‘Suite Life’ package. This offers families with children a lavish stay - a Royal Suite for parents and Premier Club Room for the children. The stay is complemented with a special high tea and a delectable spread.

Rekindle romance with your special one while staying at this luxurious hotel. Book the ‘Intimate Escape’ package for a extravagant stay, including a seven-course dining experience, exclusive access to Royal Club Lounge and afternoon tea / coffee.

All three packages come inclusive of meals, advantage of early check-in and late check-out and a host of other services.

“Following the successful opening of the hotel, we have been receiving great feedback and a lot of warmth from our guests. Our special inaugural package drove very good response with staycations for guests from the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. We are sure that our festive-special packages will serve as great options for our guests to enjoy a festive indulgence while staying with us.” said Jaideep Anand, Vice President and General Manager, The Leela Gandhinagar.

The Leela Gandhinagar is the first luxury hotel in India to be built on the airspace of a conventional railway station, 22 metres above the ground. The 318-room property combines modernity with subtle inspirations from local Gujarat architecture and culture and sits proudly atop the railway tracks.
The hotel also offers the finest in gourmet fare at various dining alternatives spanning a host of cuisines, served in picturesque environs.

To ensure that every guest stay is not only the most memorable but also the safest, the hotel has implemented enhanced safety and hygiene protocols under ‘Suraksha by The Leela’ - a comprehensive safety program in partnership with Bureau Veritas. The Leela Gandhinagar also has a 100% vaccinated workforce reassuring guests of complete safety in their care.

Appointment | Nishesh Seth joins as an Executive Chef of Crowne Plaza Jaipur

Crowne Plaza Jaipur Hotel, a member of Intercontinental Hotels Group appoints Nishesh Seth as their new Executive Chef. The 5-star property, which has set the benchmark for a culinary experience in the pink city since its inception is pleased to welcome one of the best chefs in the industry to the city.

Executive Chef, Nishesh Seth brings with him a wealth of hospitality experience in several luxury brands like Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Marriot International. He moves to Crowne Plaza Jaipur from Crowne Plaza Gurugram, to enhance the culinary experience at the hotel. He sincerely believes that cooking is magical as it has the power to elevate one’s senses.

“I know that people in Jaipur love their food which makes me even more excited to treat them with an ultimate experience,” says Executive Chef Nishesh Seth, who is set to head all of the hotel’s culinary operations including its two Signature restaurants “The Royal Root” and “House of Han”

Welcoming Nishesh Seth to Crowne Plaza Jaipur, Mr. Nalin Mandiratta – Area General Manager, IHG South West Asia and General Manager – Crowne Plaza Jaipur says, “We are very pleased about Nishesh Seth joining our team. He is a very talented, hard-working professional and highly passionate about his work. His extensive experience is going to be a real asset to our hotel. Our guests can look forward to many wonderful culinary experiences.”

Marriott News| Residence Inn by Marriott Debuts in Playa del Carmen, Bringing Residential Comfort and Personalized Service to the Heart of Riviera Maya

The 149-Room Hotel sets a benchmark for longer stay accommodations in the popular holiday destination

Residence Inn by Marriott Playa del Carmen has officially opened its doors, with a prime location on the Federal Highway Cancun, Chetumal, and close proximity to world-renowned beaches and breathtaking views. With a global presence of over 860 hotels in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Central America, Residence Inn is the world leader of the longer stay lodging segment, arriving for the first time in Playa del Carmen.

The hotel also marks the arrival of the third Residence Inn in Mexico, debuting at a time when guests are looking for alternative lodging options to a traditional hotel stay for longer stays. Residence Inn Playa del Carmen is the ideal destination for executives and leisure travelers who are in the city for both business and leisure with more room to spread out, for family and even pets.

Located in the Playacar complex, Residence Inn Playa del Carmen offers 149 pet-friendly spacious suites combining comfort and style with fully equipped kitchens complete with a refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, dishwasher, residential-size appliances, dishes, and cookware. Guests can settle into their home away from home with separate areas for living and sleeping paired with personalized service and amenities including complimentary American breakfast for all guests.

Cancun and Playa del Carmen continue to be top destination choices for national and international travelers visiting Mexico. The region has become an aviation hub attracting top-of-the-line tourism and hospitality investments, a key driver in the growth of the region. Previously, there were no longer-stay hotel options in the area, so our new hotel comes just at the right time,” said Arturo Cruz, Sales Director of Residence Inn by Marriott Playa del Carmen. “Conveniently located 58 kilometers from the Cancun Airport, our guests have the option of enjoying the beaches, dining in a relaxed setting, and soaking in the comfort of our expansive suites so they can feel right at home.”

The hotel offers additional amenities including a complimentary grocery delivery service, The Market is open 24 hours for grab-and-go options, a self-service laundry room, a mobile app, a fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, and complimentary high-speed WiFi.

Residence Inn Playa del Carmen offers 54.27 square meters of event and meeting space filled with natural light and built-in multimedia technology.

New Opening | Pride Group of Hotels opens Pride Chira Meadows Ecoresort & Wellness Spa

Pride Group of Hotels has launched Pride Chira Meadows Ecoresort & Wellness Spa in the coastal hill station of Konkan, Dapoli.

Located 7 km from the beaches the mesmerizing resort can be accessed easily by road or train. It is in close proximity to places of tourist interest namely Velas, Ade, Kelshi, Murud Beaches, and temples like Keshavraj and Vyaghreshwar.

Announcing the opening, Atul Upadhyay, Vice President, Pride Group of Hotels said," We are delighted to launch Pride Chira Meadows Ecoresort & Wellness Spa in Dapoli. The resort is built on principles of sustainable ecotourism, nature conservation, and the wellness of our guests. Our professional team, with profound years of experience, is here to ensure that your stay is a merry experience for you and the surrounding nature alike. Our resort is a must-visit for travelers with a passion for camping in nature, adventure sports, wildlife, and natural history tourism."

Pride Chira Meadows Ecoresort & Wellness Spa has well-appointed Deluxe, Super deluxe, and Chalet rooms offering a peaceful stay in Konkan. The luxury, ambiance, and personal attention at the resort resonates with the pampered soul in you, and the location, its history, and the experiences it offers evoke the wanderlust hidden beneath. The resort is the go-to choice for banquets and events in Dapoli. It flaunts a conference hall, a meeting hall, and a lawn that make for a holistic banqueting experience for weddings, conferences, exhibitions, get-togethers, meetings, and more.

Dining options include Coastal Aroma, our in-house diner, a fine-dine, coastal cuisine-inspired restaurant that serves exotic dishes, and Botanical Café that embraces the farm-to-table concept. Rooms are equipped with LED TV, mini bar, tea/ coffee maker, Wi-Fi, heater, private balcony, individual air conditioning, and comfy beds.

With its presence around 34 great locations across India, Pride Group of Hotels boasts of 3213+ Rooms, 70 Restaurants, 92 Banquets, and Conference Halls, reinforcing itself as a one-stop destination for MICE. Currently, Pride Hotels operates and manages a chain of hotels under the brand name “Pride Plaza Hotel” an Indian Luxury Collection, at Aerocity – New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, “Pride Hotel” at Bangalore, Chennai, Nagpur, Pune, Indore, Udaipur & (soon) Bharuch, Haldwani along with “Pride Resorts” at Goa, Puri, Jaipur, Rajkot, Bharatpur, Gangtok, Dapoli, Mussoorie & (soon) Aatapi, Rishikesh, Daman, Bhavnagar, Dwaraka, Nainital, Jim Corbett and also Mid-Market Hotels under “Pride Biznotel” at Anand & (soon) Jabalpur, Agra, Bhopal, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Somnath & Haldwani.

Appointment | Sumit Gogia joins Four Points by Sheraton New Delhi Airport as General Manager

Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi, owned and managed by Shanti Hospitality Management Services, has appointed Sumit Gogia as General Manager. He will be responsible for the successful functioning of the hotel’s operations along with sales and marketing and revenue management.

An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Panipat, Gogia’s has 21 years of hospitality experience. He began his career with Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Over the years, he has been associated with various luxury hotels like The Imperial, Shangri-La, The Leela Ambience Gurgaon, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (Gurgaon as well as New Delhi).

Before joining Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi, he was with The Heritage Village Resort & Spa, Manesar, as General Manager. His expertise lies in F&B, Operations and Sales and Marketing, as well as being a successful leader for his team. He is also an active member of HRAH (Hotel & Restaurant Association of Haryana) as Hon. Secretary.

New Opening | Lords Hotels & Resorts launches its first hotel in Lucknow

The hotel continues its growth in new markets with the opening of Elora Lords Eco Inn at Lucknow

Lords Hotels & Resorts launches its first hotel under Lords Eco Inn brand in the Heart of Uttar- Pradesh -Lucknow. Lords have set its footprints in 53 cities 12 states and 2 countries as of now and continue its growth in new markets with the opening of Elora Lords Eco Inn at Lucknow. This is the first property of the brand in the city of Nawabs.

The hotel is located adjacent to Hazartganj with proximity to the Airport and the railway station offering 32 well-appointed rooms with Lords Signature Blue Coriander Multi-cuisine family restaurant, Banquet Hall, Board room, and upcoming rooftop lounge. The hotel underwent extensive renovation to be part of brand standards and now is a smart business hotel with the latest amenities and facilities.

The hotel can cater to both leisure and business travelers as well as local corporates apart from hosting corporate/social functions. The hotel has easy access to major sightseeing places such as Vidhan Sabha, Roomi Darwaza, Chhota Imambara, Bara Imambara, and British Residency.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by lighting of the lamp by Kavita Arora – promoter Elora Lords Eco Inn and the felicitation was done by Pushpendra Bansal – Chief Operating Officer and Vikas Suri – Sr. Associate Vice President of Lords Hotels and Resorts.

Pushpendra Bansal mentioned “We are excited to have our presence in the state of Uttar Pradesh and look forward to expanding further with 3 more properties by early 2022. We are also hopeful to further extend our unmatched services with similar alliances in the near future.

Kavita Arora, further added “We are proud to partner with Lords Group and bring their True Value Hospitality to Lucknow. It is with a success record of managing hotels we see bright prospects in the growth of our hotel.

Vikas Suri, further commented, “We look forward to providing the best service, quality, hygiene and true value experience to our guests which we are known for.

Marriott News | Marriott International Announces David Rodriguez to Retire as Global Chief Human Resources Officer

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced today that Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer David Rodriguez, Ph.D. will step down from his role at the end of October and retire at the end of 2021 after a distinguished 23-year career with the company. The company also announced that long-time Marriott Human Resources executive, Ty Breland, Ph.D., has been named to succeed Rodriguez.

“David’s impact on Marriott – our business, our associates and our culture – has been significant,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “He has partnered with our company’s leaders to take Marriott to new heights, always with a focus on the heart of our business – our people. Among David’s many accomplishments, I think the one that has touched the most lives is his work to build our TakeCare culture. David believes that the surest path to sustainable success is to promote the wellbeing of our people. His intuitive sense of what our associates need, coupled with his work analyzing best human resources practices, is the foundation of Marriott’s award-winning approach to associate wellbeing. David will be sorely missed, but his work will live on in Marriott’s people-first policies and practices, and the genuine care that exists among our associates across the world.”

Rodriguez began his career at Marriott in 1998 as a Senior Vice President, Human Resources, where he played a key role in creating the talent and organizational capabilities to fuel Marriott’s international expansion. In 2003, he was appointed Executive Vice President with responsibility for corporate HR as well as for the human resources function for North America Lodging. Rodriguez was named a corporate officer in 2000, and in 2006, he was named to his current role leading Marriott’s global talent strategy. Rodriguez was instrumental in co-founding Marriott’s Board of Directors’ Inclusion and Social Impact Committee (formerly known as the Committee for Excellence), which oversees efforts undertaken by the company to promote associate wellbeing and inclusion and to address environmental, social and governance issues. Rodriguez also serves as Marriott’s Chief Diversity Officer.

Under Rodriguez’s leadership, Marriott is the only hotel company to be named to Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work For list every year since its inception in 1998, the first hotel company to be ranked #1 by DiversityInc, and the only hotel company to be named to the organization’s Hall of Fame. During Rodriguez’s tenure, Marriott has been recognized by America’s Best Employers for Women (Forbes), 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S. (LATINA Style), Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality (Human Rights Campaign Foundation), and Best Places for Disability Inclusion (Disability: IN), among many other accolades.

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.