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

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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.

Shaping Colombo’s Luxury Hospitality Landscape: A Conversation with Andreas Streiber

Andreas Streiber

Published on March 1, 2026

In an exclusive interaction with Hospitality News, seasoned hospitality leader Andreas Streiber offered a thoughtful and compelling perspective on leadership, guest experience, and the evolving role of luxury hotels in dynamic city destinations. As the General Manager of Shangri-La Colombo, Andreas brings with him over 25 years of global experience with the Shangri-La Group, shaping his people-first philosophy and deeply rooted approach to service excellence.

Drawing from a career that spans multiple international markets, Andreas reflected on how global exposure has influenced his leadership style. He emphasised adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and empathy as critical elements in managing diverse teams and meeting the expectations of an increasingly global guest profile. According to him, understanding cultural nuances and fostering inclusive team environments are essential to delivering meaningful and authentic hospitality experiences.

Speaking about Shangri-La Colombo, Andreas described the property as more than just a luxury urban hotel. As a landmark development and the first new luxury hotel to open in Colombo in over three decades, it represents confidence in the city’s future as a global destination. He highlighted the hotel’s unique balance of contemporary elegance and Sri Lankan heritage, positioning it as a social and cultural hub for both international travellers and local communities.

Operational excellence remains a cornerstone of his leadership. Andreas shared insights into the importance of strong training programmes, quality control, and the strategic use of guest feedback to ensure consistency across service and performance. He also underlined the role of accountability and teamwork in delivering seamless guest experiences in a large luxury environment.

Food and beverage, he noted, plays a powerful role in shaping a hotel’s identity. By blending authentic local flavours with global culinary influences, the hotel aims to create dining experiences that are both culturally rich and emotionally engaging.

Looking ahead, Andreas outlined his vision for Shangri-La Colombo, one centred on deeper guest engagement, an inclusive and empowered team culture, and long-term leadership in sustainable luxury hospitality.

This insightful exchange offered a rare glimpse into the mindset of a leader shaping one of Colombo’s most iconic hospitality destinations. It was truly a great conversation, and we invite you to explore the complete interview in the Hospitality News March magazine, available on our website and in the physical print edition.

Shreya Malpani on Building the Future of Experiential Entertainment

Shreya Malpani

Published on March 1, 2026

As India’s leisure and entertainment industry enters a more experience-driven era, leadership clarity and operational precision are becoming defining factors of success. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality News, Shreya Malpani, Director at the Malpani Group, shared powerful insights into how immersive destinations are being built for the modern Indian consumer.

Representing a new generation within the Group’s legacy, she is closely involved with brands such as ImagicaaWorld and Dave & Buster’s in India. Her vision signals a shift from traditional arcade-led formats to integrated, design-forward ecosystems where food, technology, and play converge seamlessly.

At the heart of her leadership philosophy lies clarity of vision and uncompromising experience standards. She emphasised that while multiple formats may operate under one umbrella, alignment in guest experience principles is non-negotiable. For her, strategy cannot remain disconnected from operations. Brand storytelling, team culture and on-ground delivery must move in sync to ensure experience integrity at scale.

Marketing, she explained, must evoke emotion before promoting offers. Campaigns are built around how guests should feel, ensuring that the promise communicated externally is consistently delivered internally. Emotional recall, according to her, is the true measure of brand strength in entertainment.

Reflecting on launching Dave & Buster’s in India, she highlighted a critical learning: global formats must be contextualised. Indian consumers are aspirational yet discerning, requiring a fine balance between international benchmarks and local cultural relevance. Authenticity and operational discipline, she noted, are essential to sustaining credibility.

On balancing creativity with operational excellence, she advocates “disciplined creativity”- encouraging bold ideas within structured systems that protect brand standards. Innovation, when supported by process, becomes sustainable.

Looking ahead, she sees integrated, multi-format destinations, personalization, immersive technology, and community-driven programming shaping the future of leisure in India.

It was a great conversation we had with her, one that reflects ambition, structure, and a clear direction for experiential growth. To explore the complete interaction, read the full feature in the HospitalityNews March Magazine on our website and secure your physical copy for an in-depth industry perspective.

People, Purpose, and Culinary Leadership

Chef V. Bharathan

Published on February 1, 2026

In an exclusive featured interaction with Hospitality News, Executive Chef V. Bharathan offers rare insights into the values and discipline that have shaped his remarkable journey in hospitality. From beginning his career at the very entry level of Food & Beverage service to leading complex culinary operations at Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 1, his story reflects resilience, consistency, and purpose-led leadership.

Now serving as Executive Chef at Avolta India, Chef Bharathan speaks candidly about the formative years that taught him patience, humility, and endurance, and the mentors who shaped his belief that leadership must be firm on standards yet humane in practice. He also reflects on balancing authenticity and innovation while cooking for fast-moving, diverse traveller audiences, ensuring comfort without compromising culinary identity.

The conversation further explores his pioneering work in fireless and knifeless kitchen systems, developed to enhance safety, efficiency, and team confidence in high-volume airport environments. Equally compelling are his thoughts on inclusive employment, where dignity, trust, and opportunity emerge as the true pillars of hospitality.

This thoughtful exchange goes beyond food, revealing a leader driven by character, discipline, and conscience. It is a meaningful conversation that captures the evolving essence of culinary leadership in India today.

Readers can explore the complete interview in the Hospitality News February Magazine, available on our website and in the physical print edition.