A Glimpse into F&B at The Residency Towers with Sujith Kumar S

A Glimpse into F&B at The Residency Towers with Sujith Kumar S

Admin

Published on October 4, 2023

What motivated you to pursue a career in hospitality, and what led you to your current role at The Residency Towers?

I chose a career in hospitality because of my passion for exploring diverse cuisines and destinations, as well as my love of meeting people. My current role at The Residency Towers compliments my personality perfectly. This is my second stint at the company, and I am very familiar with its brand foundation and philosophy. I applied for this role because it offers a unique opportunity to combine my operational expertise with my passion for project refurbishment. It is a wonderful experience that is helping me to grow professionally.

Could you describe the typical responsibilities and daily tasks that fall under the purview of an FNB Manager in a hotel of this caliber?

As an F&B manager, I ensure that all of our outlets are ready to serve guests according to their requirements and needs, with an extreme focus on customer service and the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently to make the guest experience memorable. Apart from day-to-day operations, every day is a challenge because we never know what to expect, but that's also what makes the job so rewarding and there's always something new to learn.

What strategies do you employ to optimize cost control and resource management in the FNB department while maintaining quality standards?

As a brand, we implement and ensure that cost-control strategies are maintained in many areas, such as food, beverage, water, and power. For example, we control the portioning of food at our restaurants and bulk book ingredients in batches to minimize waste. In other areas, we have adopted paperless practices, such as using digital software to collect customer feedback and providing digital menus in rooms and restaurants. Additionally, we have installed sensor lights in public areas and sensor taps in washrooms to reduce our energy and water consumption. These measures help us to achieve significant cost savings.

How do you stay updated with the latest food and beverage trends, and how do you incorporate them into your menu offerings?

I stay up-to-date on the latest F&B trends by actively following major brands and bloggers digitally, and by attending events happening in Chennai and other major metros like Bangalore and Mumbai. I also have the opportunity to oversee the F&B operations at our flagship resort in the Maldives, which has helped me to understand the diversity of international cuisines. I use this knowledge to collaborate with our culinary director to develop experimental and process-driven menus that reflect the latest trends.

What steps do you take to maintain compliance with food safety and health regulations in your FNB operations?

We have partnered with a third-party vendor called Parikshan to conduct quality audits of our food and beverage operations six days a week for three hours each day. Their audit covers the receiving area, where they check the quality of incoming materials, the first-in-first-out process, and the upkeep of our cold rooms and storage areas. They also provide us with regular reports on any areas where improvement is needed. In addition to these audits, we test the quality of our water every month. We also have one certified FasTrack trainer per 10 staff members.

In your opinion, what sets The Residency Towers apart from other hotels in Chennai in terms of its food and beverage offerings?

The Residency Towers was opened in 2003, when major brands were beginning to enter the Chennai market. Despite the competition, the hotel's F&B outlets have remained consistently popular. The hotel's buffet restaurant, Main Street, is always packed with customers. The popular Bike & Barrel resto bar has a 24-hour license, and the hotel is also known for its huge banqueting space with ample car parking.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in the hospitality industry, and how has it shaped your personal and professional life?

This industry has helped me immensely to develop my people management skills. I currently manage and train around 90 associates from different parts of the country, which gives me more confidence and a composed way of handling things. At the same time, I have built strong relationships with our regular customers, who appreciate the recognition and genuine feeling of home away from home that we offer.

This interview is exclusively published on Hospitalitynews.in.


The Art of Thoughtful Hospitality Experiences

The Art of Thoughtful Hospitality Experiences

Dushyant Singh

Published on September 1, 2026

What does it take to create a hospitality experience that guests remember long after they leave? Is luxury defined by the setting, the service, or by the ability to make every guest feel genuinely understood? For Dushyant Singh, Hotel Manager, Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, A Tribute Portfolio Resort, the answer lies somewhere deeper, in the art of thoughtful hospitality.

With more than two decades of experience with Marriott International, Dushyant brings a leadership perspective shaped by diverse cultures, markets, hotel operations and multiple successful openings. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, he takes us behind the philosophy guiding Mulberry Shades and shares how the resort is evolving as a wellness and lifestyle destination.

From leadership and financial performance to personalised service, Dushyant explores the delicate balance between commercial discipline and creating experiences that build loyalty. His insights reveal why engaged teams, empowered associates and genuine human connections remain central to delivering meaningful hospitality.

The conversation then moves into one of the most significant shifts in luxury travel - the growing demand for wellness and experiential stays. Dushyant discusses how Mulberry Shades, located at the foothills of Nandi Hills, is responding through wellness retreats, culinary experiences, outdoor activities and personalised itineraries designed to help guests reconnect with themselves, nature and loved ones.

But the future of hospitality is not only about wellness. Technology is rapidly transforming the guest journey, raising an important question: Can hotels embrace automation and digital convenience without losing the human warmth that defines hospitality? Dushyant offers his perspective on how technology can support teams while keeping genuine interaction at the centre.

He also shares his vision for Mulberry Shades and the opportunities ahead - from corporate well-being programmes and bespoke celebrations to fitness, mindful activities and nature-based experiences.

Our conversation with Dushyant Singh offers a thoughtful look at how luxury hospitality is evolving and what it takes to remain relevant in a changing travel landscape. It was a great conversation exploring leadership, innovation, wellness and the future of guest experiences.

Discover the complete interview with Dushyant Singh in the September issue of Hospitalitynews, available on our website, and explore the physical edition for the full story and more insights from the world of hospitality.


Shaping the Future of Hospitality Through People and Purpose

Shaping the Future of Hospitality Through People and Purpose

Mohammed Parvez,

Published on September 1, 2026

India’s hospitality landscape is entering a phase of transformation, where evolving traveller expectations, technology, emerging destinations and operational resilience are reshaping the way brands approach growth. At the forefront of this conversation is Mohammed Parvez, CEO of Essentia Hotels & Resorts, whose leadership reflects a strong focus on quality, innovation and meaningful guest experiences.

In an exclusive interview with Hospitality News, Parvez shared his perspective on how his understanding of hospitality has evolved from operational excellence to creating memorable experiences and meaningful connections. “My understanding of the hospitality industry has grown from focusing mainly on service delivery and operational excellence to recognising its bigger purpose of creating memorable experiences and meaningful connections,” he says.

Looking at the wider industry, Parvez believes India’s hospitality sector is positioned for sustained growth, supported by rising domestic travel, improved infrastructure, increasing disposable incomes and growing demand for experiential stays. His insights also highlight how emerging destinations are creating opportunities beyond traditional tourism hubs.

But how are hospitality brands responding to the rapidly changing expectations of today’s travellers? At Essentia Hotels & Resorts, Parvez explains that the focus extends beyond accommodation, with business travellers seeking seamless, technology-driven solutions and leisure guests looking for authentic experiences, wellness and connections with local culture.

The conversation also explores some of the industry's pressing challenges. From rising fuel costs and market uncertainties to talent retention and changing guest expectations, Parvez discusses the importance of operational efficiency, smart cost management, sustainable practices and agility in building long-term resilience.

Technology emerges as another important part of this transformation. While digital tools are increasingly helping hotels streamline operations and personalise guest engagement, Parvez emphasises that technology must remain an enabler rather than a replacement for human connection.

And as Essentia Hotels & Resorts continues to grow, what does leadership mean in an increasingly competitive market? For Parvez, the answer comes down to three principles: people, purpose and sustainable value creation. Keeping guests at the centre while empowering teams, encouraging innovation and maintaining operational excellence remains central to his vision.

It was a great conversation with Mohammed Parvez, offering valuable perspectives on leadership, technology, growth and the evolving meaning of hospitality. Discover the complete interview with Mohammed Parvez in the September edition of Hospitality News, available on our website, and get your physical copy to explore the complete collection of stories shaping hospitality and beyond.


The Business of Making Guests Feel at Home

The Business of Making Guests Feel at Home

Wajeed Bagwan

Published on September 1, 2026

What truly makes a guest feel at home in an increasingly competitive hospitality landscape? Is it personalised service, operational excellence, flexibility, or the ability to understand what a traveller needs before they ask? For Wajeed Bagwan, General Manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru, the answer lies in bringing these elements together while never losing sight of the people at the heart of hospitality.

With more than three decades of experience across India and the Middle East, Wajeed has built his career around hotel operations, F&B, pre-openings and leadership. His professional journey includes some of the industry's leading names, including Taj, Oberoi, The Leela and Radisson Hotel Group, along with the successful opening, rebranding and refurbishment of five award-winning hotels in Dubai.

In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, Wajeed takes us beyond the day-to-day functioning of a hotel to explore the thinking behind successful hospitality businesses. He shares insights into leadership, operational agility and the challenge of balancing business performance with consistently high guest satisfaction.

The conversation also explores one of the industry's evolving travel segments: bleisure. With travellers increasingly combining business with leisure, Wajeed discusses how Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru is responding through spacious accommodation, flexibility, wellness facilities and personalised services.

Food, too, remains an important part of the conversation. Wajeed shares his perspective on how regional influences, global flavours and thoughtfully curated dining experiences can transform a stay into a memorable journey.

As the industry looks increasingly towards responsible growth, sustainability takes its place among the priorities shaping modern hotel operations. Wajeed discusses the property's approach to energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and sustainable sourcing, while highlighting the importance of involving both associates and guests.

Our conversation with Wajeed Bagwan offers a compelling look at the priorities shaping hospitality today — from people and performance to changing traveller expectations and responsible operations. It was a great conversation filled with practical insights from an experienced hospitality leader.

Discover the complete interview with Wajeed Bagwan in the September issue of Hospitalitynews, available on our website. You can also explore the physical copy of the magazine for this and other conversations shaping the hospitality industry.