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.

Crafting Destinations with Character: Ramit Sethi on Redefining Boutique Hospitality

Ramit Sethi

Published on August 1, 2026

Boutique hospitality is steadily redefining the way travellers experience destinations, placing greater emphasis on authenticity, meaningful connections, and memorable stays. Among the brands leading this shift is Seclude Hotels, known for transforming unique homes into immersive hospitality experiences that celebrate heritage, local culture, and personalised service.

In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality News, Ramit Sethi, Co-founder and Director of Seclude Hotels, shares the vision that has shaped the brand's remarkable journey. From the inspiration behind the successful Creators Club initiative to Seclude's commitment to responsible tourism, Sethi discusses how the company continues to build experiences that extend far beyond accommodation.

The conversation also explores Seclude's role in strengthening local tourism ecosystems by creating employment opportunities, collaborating with surrounding communities, and encouraging travellers to discover offbeat destinations through authentic experiences. Drawing from his corporate leadership background and entrepreneurial journey, Sethi reflects on the guest-first philosophy rooted in seva bhav that continues to guide every decision at Seclude.

Readers will also discover how the brand's carefully curated 'Rent Your Home' model helps preserve the individuality of every property while ensuring consistent quality and personalised hospitality. In addition, Sethi shares Seclude's long-term vision for purposeful expansion, explaining why the company prioritises destinations with heritage, character, and unique stories over rapid growth. The discussion further highlights why Seclude's boutique properties have become preferred venues for intimate weddings, milestone celebrations, anniversaries, and family reunions, where every occasion becomes part of a memorable story.

Packed with insights on boutique hospitality, destination development, experiential travel, creator-led marketing, and evolving guest expectations, this exclusive feature offers an engaging perspective on one of India's most distinctive hospitality brands.

It was a truly insightful conversation with Ramit Sethi, offering valuable perspectives on the future of experiential hospitality and destination-led travel. To read the complete exclusive interview, pick up the August edition of Hospitality News magazine or visit our website to explore the full feature.

Exclusive Feature: Sanjeev Kumar FIH on Building the Future of Hospitality with HOSPI Sigma™

Sanjeev Kumar FIH

Published on August 1, 2026

As India's hospitality industry accelerates into a new era of growth, conversations around talent, operational excellence, and future-ready leadership have never been more important. While the sector continues to expand with strong government support and increasing investment, one question remains at the heart of its success, how can hospitality professionals be better prepared for the realities of modern hotel operations?

In this exclusive feature for Hospitality News August Magazine, we had the opportunity to engage with Sanjeev Kumar FIH, Founder of HOSPI Sigma™, whose decades of leadership across some of the world's most respected hotel brands have shaped a unique perspective on hospitality capability and operational excellence.

Drawing from over 30 years of experience spanning Taj Hotels, ITC Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (now Marriott International), Premier Inn, and international leadership assignments, Kumar shares the journey that led to the creation of the world's first Unified Lean Six Sigma-based capability framework designed exclusively for hospitality. His insights go beyond conventional training, exploring how structured thinking, operational discipline, and decision-making under pressure can transform hospitality professionals at every stage of their careers.

The feature also explores the industry's widening skills gap, the growing importance of capability-based learning, HOSPI Sigma™'s expanding collaborations with hospitality institutes and hotel groups, and how the framework aligns with India's ambitious vision for hospitality education and workforce development.

Adding further depth to the conversation, the leadership team behind HOSPI Sigma™ discusses the importance of globally recognised professional development, stronger academia-industry collaboration, inclusive talent development, and building an ecosystem that prepares professionals for long-term success.

Rather than revealing every insight here, this feature offers only a glimpse into a conversation that examines where hospitality education stands today and where it must go next. From operational challenges to leadership philosophy, and from structured capability development to the future of hospitality talent, the discussion presents valuable perspectives for hotel leaders, educators, students, and industry professionals alike.

It was a privilege to engage in such a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation with Sanjeev Kumar FIH and the HOSPI Sigma™ leadership team. To explore the complete feature and gain deeper insights into their vision for transforming hospitality capability, read the full interview in the Hospitality News August Magazine, available on our website, or experience it in the print edition by getting your physical copy.

Exclusive Conversation with Rahul Makhija: Leading Hospitality Through People, Purpose, and Innovation

Rahul Makhija

Published on August 1, 2026

With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Rahul Makhija, General Manager at Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited, has consistently championed a guest-first philosophy while leading The Park Navi Mumbai with a vision rooted in innovation, service excellence, and meaningful hospitality.

In an exclusive featured conversation with Hospitality News, Rahul Makhija shares valuable insights drawn from his extensive leadership journey, offering readers a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics shaping India's hospitality landscape. From building resilient hospitality businesses and creating personalised guest experiences to navigating global uncertainties, embracing sustainability, and responding to changing food, beverage, and nightlife trends, the conversation explores the priorities that define modern hotel leadership.

The interview also highlights how The Park Navi Mumbai continues to strengthen its presence as Navi Mumbai evolves into one of India's fastest-growing business and infrastructure destinations. Rahul Makhija discusses the hotel's role in supporting this transformation through world-class hospitality, talent development, community engagement, and experiences that reflect the brand's distinctive lifestyle philosophy.

Readers will also discover his perspectives on balancing innovation with operational excellence, understanding changing guest expectations, leveraging technology without compromising the human touch, and creating long-term value for guests, employees, partners, and stakeholders alike. His thoughtful responses offer meaningful takeaways for hospitality professionals, industry leaders, aspiring hoteliers, and business enthusiasts seeking to understand the future direction of the sector.

Whether it is adapting to global market conditions, delivering memorable guest journeys, or building a more responsible and sustainable future, every response reflects a leadership approach centred on trust, consistency, and continuous evolution. The conversation offers practical insights into how hospitality brands can remain relevant while staying true to their identity in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

It was truly a meaningful and insightful conversation with Rahul Makhija, whose perspectives reinforce the importance of people, purpose, and innovation in shaping exceptional hospitality experiences.

To read the complete exclusive interview, explore the Hospitality News August Magazine on our website or grab your physical copy and discover the full conversation along with many more inspiring stories, industry insights, and exclusive features from the world of hospitality.