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Published on October 1, 2023
In this exclusive interview, we had the opportunity to sit down with Rakesh Parameswaran, Senior General Manager of The Residency Towers, Chennai, where he provides valuable insights into his impressive career journey and his pivotal role at The Residency Towers.
Currently serving as the Senior General Manager of The Residency Towers, Chennai, since March 2020, Rakesh Parameswaran has demonstrated his leadership abilities over three years and seven months in this position. Prior to this, he served as the General Manager of The Residency, Chennai, for nearly three years, where he showcased his proficiency in hotel management. His extensive experience includes a notable stint as the General Manager of The Raviz Ashtamudi Resort & Spa at Raviz Hotels and Resorts. Rakesh has also contributed significantly to The Residency Hotels as the General Manager of Brands for three years and five months. His career includes roles at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, Le Meridien (Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc) Bangalore, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, and The Leela Palaces & Resorts. With a strong background in front office management and resort leadership, Rakesh Parameswaran is a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry.
What are your key responsibilities as the Senior General Manager of the hotel, and how do you prioritize them?
My top priority as Senior General Manager is to ensure that every guest has a memorable experience, whether they are checking in, using the restaurant, or attending a banquet. To achieve this, I focus on developing my team and building strong leaders. I also create a positive and fun work environment for my staff, so they can do their best. Additionally, I am responsible for strategizing the hotel's revenue and expense management, as well as overseeing its social media initiatives.
The hotel is divided into eleven departments, including front office, housekeeping, food and beverage services, food and beverage production, finance, and IT services. I oversee the operations of all of these departments to ensure the smooth running of the hotel.
What strategies do you employ to create a positive and inclusive work culture for your staff and to encourage professional growth within your team?
“Hospitality with Heart” is our brand principle, and Caring, Anticipating, Inspiring, and Evolving are our brand values. These values emphasize how we treat our associates within the company.
From the moment a new employee joins our team, we invest in their success. We provide five days of paid onboarding, as well as support for sports, academics, and financial needs. We also offer paternity and maternity leave, and bereavement support. Additionally, our buddy system pairs new employees with experienced mentors who help them adjust and learn.
Can you describe any recent successful initiatives or improvements you've implemented at The Residency Towers to enhance the guest experience?
We have recently opened our renovated rooftop restaurant called The Sky, a beautiful restaurant with an aqua terrace and a sea-side terrace. In the center is our premium bar, Dome.
We provide curated dining experiences, focusing on Oriental, Japanese, and Indian cuisine. Our delectable menu has been curated by our own chef. The ambience is great and the restaurant is a big hit among the crowd. We have also recently been awarded the Times Now Food Award for the restaurant. It is good to see that certain processes and research we did is working out well and our guests are liking it and appreciating it.
We also recently opened the club floor, which offers executive assistance for guests, similar to a butler operations program. We have boys and girls from hotel schools who joined us for this program. These assistants take care of the guests completely, right from check in to check out. This program has also received good reception from our guests.
Can you share any examples of unique guest experiences or memorable events hosted at The Residency Towers?
Events are an integral part of any hotel, but what makes them truly exciting are the families who want to surprise their loved ones. We are always happy to help our guests plan surprises, and we recently had the pleasure of hosting a 25th wedding anniversary celebration for a couple who were completely unaware of what was in store for them. The couple's children came to the hotel and planned everything in secret. They even went home as if nothing had happened, so their parents wouldn't suspect anything. We then picked the couple up from their residence and threw them a surprise party at the hotel. The little details of the evening were truly special, and it was clear that a lot of thought and care had gone into planning the celebration. We were honored to be a part of this special occasion, and we were thrilled to see how happy the couple was. On another occasion, we had the pleasure of hosting a completely vegan wedding for 300 people. This was a challenging task, but we were excited to rise to the occasion. We worked with the couple to create a custom menu that featured delicious and creative vegan dishes. We also served tea and coffee with almond milk, which was a big hit with the guests. We are always looking for new ways to challenge ourselves and to provide our guests with unique and memorable experiences. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with families and couples to create special events that they will cherish for years to come.
In a diverse and dynamic city like Chennai, how do you tailor the hotel's offerings and services to meet the needs of a broad range of guests?
When showcasing Chennai to guests, we first consider their expectations and then develop a menu, room designs, and experiences that will exceed them. For example, we serve coffee the way it is traditionally served in Chennai, by pouring the hot beverage between two glasses from great heights until the heat subsides. This seemingly small gesture infuses the Chennai culture into the guest experience, making it more authentic and memorable.
Are there any mentors or role models who have had a significant influence on your career or leadership style? If so, can you tell us about them?
The hotel industry provides the unique opportunity to meet leaders from all walks of life. I have been humbled by the opportunity to meet Mr. Abdul Kalam, whose demeanor and leadership have had a profound impact on me. Other industry leaders who have inspired me include Mr. Prabath Varma of the Taj Group of Hotels, Mr. Kush Kapoor of the Roseate Group of Hotels, Mr. Vijay Mohan of Club Mahindra, and Mr. Vijay Golrahalli. Each of these individuals has taught me valuable lessons about leadership and service excellence.
What do you find most rewarding about being the Senior General Manager of The Residency Towers?
As a Senior General Manager, I have the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life, each with their own unique requests and aspirations. Whether it's a corporate event, a wedding, a social function, or a romantic candlelit dinner, we are here to help our guests create memorable experiences. It is immensely satisfying to see the smiles on their faces when we deliver on our promises and exceed their expectations. Another rewarding aspect of my role is developing the next generation of leaders within my hotel. I find it both humbling and inspiring to mentor and coach my team members, helping them to reach their full potential.
This interview is exclusively published on Hospitalitynews.in.
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Published on May 1, 2025
Chef Vijay Pandey is not your typical chef. With roots in five-star hospitality and global culinary experiences, he now helms the kitchen innovation at Rebel Foods, India’s leading cloud kitchen network. As the Corporate Chef, he is the creative force behind multi-brand strategies that serve millions of customers every month.
“Each phase of my journey—luxury hotels, cruise liners, flight kitchens—taught me the value of precision, consistency, and authenticity,” shares Chef Vijay. These diverse experiences have equipped him to lead in the fast-paced world of food tech. At Rebel Foods, his mission is clear: deliver restaurant-quality meals at scale, without losing flavor or soul.
With a portfolio that spans everything from Indian classics to international flavors, Chef Vijay ensures every brand under Rebel Foods retains its unique identity. “Every dish goes through rigorous R&D, pilot tests, and customer feedback loops. That’s how we maintain authenticity while pushing culinary boundaries,” he explains.
His global exposure has played a key role in shaping today's menus. He’s excited by the rise of fusion cuisine and personalized dining. “Consumers now crave stories on their plate—Korean burgers with Indian spices, or Mediterranean flavors with local ingredients. We’re here to make that happen,” he says.
Behind the scenes, it's a blend of tech and taste. AI-powered tools help optimize recipes and predict trends, but the heart of innovation still lies with the chefs. “Technology brings scale and efficiency, but it’s the human touch that brings flavor and emotion,” he adds.
When it comes to delivery, every element is engineered—from packaging to plating—to ensure meals retain their restaurant appeal. “Recipe engineering and constant feedback are key,” he explains, adding that real-time data from over 350 kitchens help maintain quality at every touchpoint.
A strong advocate for wellness and mindful eating, Chef Vijay brings his passion for yoga into the culinary world. “We prioritize clean ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and balanced meals. Good food should nourish the body and the spirit,” he says.
From pioneering Lebanese menus at Manchester United Café Bar to building Faasos’ iconic burger wraps, Chef Vijay’s journey reflects creativity grounded in operational expertise. But perhaps his proudest achievement is shaping the future of food delivery in India—one bold flavor at a time.
Hungry for more insights from India’s top culinary leaders? Stay tuned to HospitalityNews by GuestVento for inspiring stories, industry innovations, and behind-the-kitchen moments that shape the future of food. Visit our website to read the full May edition, and direct message us for physical copies.
In an exclusive feature for HospitalityNews' May Edition, we had the privilege of engaging in a compelling conversation with Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), and one of the most respected voices in India's tourism industry. With decades of experience and a keen eye on global trends, Jyoti Mayal brings a wealth of knowledge to the table—touching upon everything from eco-tourism to digital transformation in travel.
Her insights are not only eye-opening but also signal the emerging priorities of Indian travellers and how the industry must evolve to meet them. From discussing how tourism boards are crafting immersive experiences tailored to Indian preferences, to highlighting India's rising status in medical tourism, every part of the conversation offered a deeper look into the rapidly changing world of travel.
She begins by sharing how Indian travellers have moved beyond the conventional. “Indian travelers today are more informed, curious, and experience-driven than ever before…” This evolving mindset, she says, is driving demand for personalization and pushing agencies to elevate their offerings.
Further in the discussion, she emphasizes the meaningful collaborations between international tourism boards and Indian travel professionals. She reveals how these partnerships are building cultural bridges and setting new standards in hospitality.
On India’s leadership in medical tourism, Mayal proudly notes the impact of the Heal in India initiative and how the THSC is playing a transformative role in creating a skilled and empathetic ecosystem.
From sustainability in wildlife tourism to seamless international travel experiences and AI-driven travel planning, her observations are a masterclass in future-focused thinking.
This enlightening conversation with Jyoti Mayal is a must-read for industry leaders, aspiring travel professionals, and anyone interested in where Indian tourism is headed.
Catch the complete interview in the May edition of Hospitality News, available on our website. You can also get a physical copy to keep this enriching feature in your collection. It was truly a great conversation—one that sheds light on the vision, strategy, and heart behind India’s travel transformation.
With a career spanning over 20 years in Sri Lanka’s vibrant travel and tourism industry, Suchitra Aluwihare stands at the forefront of redefining destination management. As the Chief Operating Officer of Hayleys Travels, one of Sri Lanka’s leading travel solutions providers, Mr. Aluwihare has played a vital role in shaping curated travel experiences that go beyond traditional tourism.
In this exclusive feature for HospitalityNews by GuestVento, Suchitra shares how Hayleys Travels combines technology, local expertise, and sustainability to craft journeys that are deeply personal and impactful. From immersive wildlife encounters to wellness-focused itineraries, the company’s unique offerings reflect a deep understanding of modern traveler preferences.
Under Mr. Aluwihare’s guidance, Hayleys has embraced responsible tourism as a core philosophy. From reforestation and marine conservation to partnering with local artisans and community-driven experiences, the goal is to ensure that every trip benefits both the traveler and the destination. His belief that “every journey should leave a positive footprint” drives much of the brand’s innovation.
The conversation also touches on Sri Lanka’s lesser-known destinations—from boat safaris in Gal Oya to dolphin watching in Kalpitiya—reminding readers that the island’s real magic often lies off the beaten path. Mr. Aluwihare’s passion for showcasing Sri Lanka’s hidden gems is matched only by his commitment to preserving them for future generations.
Want to know what sets Hayleys apart in a crowded market? Curious about how tech is shaping sustainable travel? Read the full interview with Suchitra Aluwihare in the latest May edition of HospitalityNews by GuestVento.
Head to our website to read the full e-magazine and DM us for physical copies!
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