Serving with Heart: Chef Ganesh Moolya's Approach to Cooking

Admin

Published on August 4, 2023

As a trainee Chef, Chef Moolya has been directly mentored by Miss Madhu Krishnan, the first lady chef of India. And for five years, he was a Chef De Partie at Royal Caribbean International Cruises before becoming a Sous Chef at Royal Orchid Hotels. He was an executive sous chef for Country Inns & Suites by Radisson, and four years later, he became an executive chef at Tamaral Al Jubail. He served as an executive chef at Manipal and Jammu and Kashmir before taking over Clarion Hotel President, Chennai, as the executive chef for the past 11 months.

Here is his exclusive interview for Hospitality News.

What inspired you to become a Chef?

Being a chef is a unique and respectable profession. When I started my journey in hotel management, I had no interest in becoming a chef. However, during my initial training, I got to experience the life of a chef and see how much admiration and respect they receive from others. The way they carry themselves with grace and how people respect them left a strong impression on me. Now that I became a chef, I get to feed people every day, and the feedback I get for my food gives me energy like anything else.

What food gives you satisfaction?

Basic foods like Dhal Kichdi. Anything basic and simple. I like to keep things and foods simple. These simple foods have a lot of health benefits and energy components. Consuming these foods is satisfying. Taking these recipes to the next level to create something eye-appealing to feed my customers is even more satisfying.

What is the one ingredient that you believe is the most important in your kitchen?

Salt. He laughs. Aside from salt, I would say rice. Rice serves as a fundamental energy source in our diet. It forms the basis of many dishes and is a staple in various cuisines worldwide. Every energy source of our food starts from rice. Rice and every other grain.

What is your process for curating a menu?

Understanding your customer base is the primary thing when it comes to designing a menu. You cannot serve your personal favourites to an audience and expect them to like everything. I consider my crowd’s preferences and the regional best cuisines and design my menu in such a way that their taste buds get satisfied, with the uniqueness we add to our preparations.

The second thing to consider is the value for money. If I am paying for something, I expect the best in return. In the case of restaurants, it is not only about the food. It is the service we give, how we serve it, who is serving, and why are they serving that way, everything like these counts. It is by following those, we stand apart from the competition.

The ingredient availability is the third and possibly most important thing to consider. I should be aware of the ingredients which are seasonal and regular in the region I am serving to deliver the best dishes to my customers.

Can you share any memorable experience or achievement in your career that you are particularly proud of?

I was one among the first batch of people who got selected for the Royal Caribbean International Cruises, and even more, I was the only Indian among the batch. I got selected and went through the training, completed the training and presented the ‘Certified Culinarian’ from the American Culinary Federation. I was standing there as a proud Indian when presented with the certificate in front of chefs from different countries. It still gives me goosebumps.

What is the signature dish of Ganesh Moolya?

This is the dish I prepared for my first trial. I prepared a French Cuisine. It was Herb Crusted Sea Bass. I gave my twist to it by adding orange juice to the sauce. You can call it Herb Crusted Sea Bass with Orange and Saffron, and so far, it is my favourite. It gives me comfort to cook that dish. It is very healthy as well. It has protein, carbohydrates, starch and fibres. As you can see, it is balanced. And the tanginess of the orange and the flavour of food just jumps out in your first bite.

What sets your property apart from its competitors?

Clarion Hotel President is the oldest legacy in this place I came to know about ever since I started here. The owners here are very proud and happy to serve customers and consider every detail seriously. Whatever we are doing, and whatever services we are providing, we take priority in making sure that every guest is leaving our place satisfied.

How do you de-stress?

I like music, and I love to travel. Whenever I feel like I need to calm myself and relax, I would take my bike and go for a drive. I would go to different places and immerse myself in nature’s beauty. I would take my family and go for a vacation, and it is my therapy.

Can you share a piece of advice for Aspiring Chefs?

I started my career back in 2007. We are standing here in 2023. There is a big generation change that happened over this period. But one thing remains the same. Whoever starts their career with passion, shines big. Instead of looking at the hospitality industry as a regular 9 to 5 job, you can reach heights if you enter the field with passion and interest. It is with that mindset you’ll succeed. Developing a keen eagerness to learn and being open to accepting new things are attitudes that lead to achievements in life.

Sidh N.C. Charts India’s Outbound Future with MILT 2025

Sidh N.C

Published on August 1, 2025

In conversation with Hospitalitynews, Sidh N.C., Co-Founder and Managing Director of QNA International, offers an exclusive look into how the 12th Annual MILT Congress is set to redefine the outbound travel narrative for India.

The event was held from 24 to 25 July 2025 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, MILT 2025 isn’t just another luxury travel summit. As Sidh puts it, “We’ve redesigned the event to create a strategic ecosystem where India’s top corporate buyers engage directly with the world’s most visionary travel and hospitality brands.”

The conversations at MILT 2025 revealed a clear shift in what luxury means to indian outbound travelers. It is no longer confined to opulent hotels or grand venues. Today's high value indian traveller seeks depth, intention, and emotional connection in their journeys.

From Gen Z-driven aspirations to immersive spiritual getaways, the Indian traveller is evolving rapidly. In this compelling discussion, Sidh outlines how the outbound market is no longer about checklists and sightseeing, but emotional value, hyper-personalisation, and authentic storytelling.

Social media emerged as a major driver of outbound travel decisions, especially among millenials and Gen Z. MILT 2025 highlighted how platforms like Instagram and YouTube are influencing not just where people travel, but why. Travel content creators, Vloggers, and digial storytellers are the new age travel agents offering immersive glimpses into destinations that were once discovered through brochures

With nearly 40% of outbound trips now business related, MILT Congress is becoming the axis where leisure meets innovation, and where destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East position themselves not just to attract but understand the Indian mindset

He dives into the growing influence of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the rise of women-led travel, and the seamless merging of technology, sustainability, and cultural connection.

What’s coming next? A travel revolution driven by meaning, not just mobility—where every booking is a story and every destination a deeper experience.

Want More?

You can explore the full in-depth interview and exclusive coverage in the August edition of Hospitalitynews—available both on our website and as a beautifully curated print magazine. Don’t miss your chance to engage with the future of travel, one conversation at a time.

Dinesh Yadav on Investing Where Memories and Returns Grow Together

Dinesh Yadav

Published on August 1, 2025

In a world where real estate is often seen as a numbers game, Dinesh Yadav, Founder and Managing Director of Fine Acers, is rewriting the rules. In an exclusive feature with Hospitalitynews, Dinesh shares how his brand is pioneering a new kind of investment, one where returns meet relaxation, and assets double as family getaways, wellness retreats, and legacy spaces.

Through Fine Acers and its collection of thoughtfully designed resorts, Dinesh is turning the traditional real estate model on its head. What makes his vision stand out? It’s the ability to offer more than just appreciation, it’s about creating value that’s deeply personal and profoundly profitable.

What if your investment could host your next family celebration?
What if it could be both a peaceful retreat and an income generator?

In this engaging discussion, Dinesh walks us through the inspiration behind the branded resort investment model, an idea born from observing global trends and Indian investor behaviour. As he points out, second homes in India have long existed, but they often come with challenges. Fine Acers addresses these pain points by offering fully managed, premium properties that balance lifestyle aspirations with stable returns.

From the rise of wellness tourism to the increasing demand for senior-friendly and destination wedding-ready spaces, Fine Acers is tapping into what modern investors truly seek,purposeful ownership. Backed by the post-pandemic travel revival and changing mindsets, this is more than a trend; it’s the evolution of real estate itself.

It was a thought-provoking conversation with Dinesh Yadav, one that sheds light on how emotional connection and financial intelligence can coexist in modern investments.

Discover the complete interview in the August issue of Hospitalitynews, now available on our website. Don’t forget to grab your physical copy to explore more inspiring stories that are shaping the future of hospitality and living.

Scaling Love: Pawan Gupta on Building a $10M Wedding Dream

Pawan Gupta

Published on August 1, 2025

In the ever-evolving world of hospitality and wedding planning, few names have made as bold and rapid an impact as Pawan Gupta, the Co-Founder and CEO of The Wedding Company. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, he takes us behind the scenes of the brand's journey, right from its inception as Weddings by Betterhalf to its present transformation into a full-fledged luxury wedding platform scaling toward a $10 million milestone.

With over 50 Indian cities and international hotspots like Bali and Phuket in their portfolio, The Wedding Company is not just planning weddings, it’s revolutionizing the way they happen. In this candid exchange, Pawan unpacks the brand’s proprietary software, automation strategies, AI-powered planning, and most importantly, the human touch that turns each celebration into a heartfelt experience.

What happens when technology meets tradition?
Can weddings be both luxurious and efficient?
How does a rebrand shift a company's entire market position?

Pawan answers these and more, offering deep insights into vendor matchmaking, hospitality-first execution, global partnerships, and the emotional intelligence required to manage culturally rooted celebrations. With a strong foundation in tech and a team trained in warmth and precision, The Wedding Company has become a force to reckon with scaling love, memories, and moments across continents.

This feature captures a rare glimpse into the mind behind a fast-scaling wedding empire. The blend of structure, soul, and strategy discussed here is bound to inspire entrepreneurs, hoteliers, and dreamers alike.

It was a great conversation we had with Pawan Gupta, one that beautifully highlights how hospitality and innovation can create unforgettable celebrations.

Catch the full interview in the August issue of Hospitalitynews Magazine, available now on our website and grab your physical copy to explore more inspiring stories from the world of hospitality and beyond.