Shaping Hospitality Through RICCH Values

Shaping Hospitality Through RICCH Values

Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 4, 2024

Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa, located just outside Bangalore, is a luxury resort known for its world-class hospitality and business facilities. Offering expansive convention halls, wellness amenities, and impeccable hospitality, it provides a seamless blend of relaxation and productivity, catering to both tourists and corporate clients.

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Rakesh Kumar is an experienced hospitality professional with over 17 years of expertise in the industry, currently serving as Associate Director of Rooms at Clarks Exotica Bengaluru. In this role, which he has held since April 2018, Rakesh oversees room operations, ensuring seamless guest experiences and driving service excellence across departments.

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Prior to this, Rakesh served as Front Office Manager at Clarks Exotica for four and a half years. With a deep understanding of front desk management, he has contributed to smooth operations across multiple hotel brands, including roles at Fairfield by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott.

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His career began with frontline roles at esteemed hotels such as Westin Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Garden Inn, and The Grand Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, where he honed his skills in guest services and hospitality operations. With experience spanning multiple regions, including Bangalore, New Delhi, and Ahmedabad, Rakesh has consistently proven his ability to lead teams, improve operations, and deliver memorable guest experiences.

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"We have a core value and we call it RICCH—Respect-Integrity- Compassion-Creativity-Health. We don’t believe in framing our core value on notice board rather all the team members display the same on daily basis not only at work place rather in personal life as well," says Rakesh Kumar about Clarks Exotica's Culture.

"We believe in nurturing talent from within. Our comprehensive career development programs provide employees with clear pathways for advancement. We understand that a happy, motivated workforce directly translates into better guest experiences," he comments about the employee development and retention in Clarks Exotica. 

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He shares more insights on guest experience, sustainable practices, leadership challenges and much more in this exclusive interview.

Catch the complete interview at the November Issue of the HospitalityNews Magazine, available now online. You can now purchase the hardcopy of the magazine either as a single issue or subscribe for 12 months. For more details, visit Magazine.


The Sommeliers Association of India Is Crafting a New Narrative for Indian Wine

The Sommeliers Association of India Is Crafting a New Narrative for Indian Wine

Nishang Narayan

Published on June 2, 2025

The Sommeliers Association of India (SAI) isn’t just another wine club—it’s a movement. Founded in 2024 by Amrita Singh and world-renowned sommelier Mattia Antonio Cianca, SAI is India’s first national sommelier association aligned with the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI).

Their mission? To elevate Indian wine education, represent India at global sommelier contests, and create pathways for young professionals to thrive in the global hospitality space.

Inside the Article: The SAI Vision That’s Changing the Game

  • Why the absence of an Indian representative at the 2023 ASI Best Sommelier of the World contest led to the birth of SAI.
  • How international certifications like the ASI Diploma (now introduced in India) are setting new benchmarks for excellence.
  • The powerful impact of being affiliated with global platforms like JancisRobinson.com, GuildSomm, and ASI.

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  • Why pairing wine with Indian cuisine isn’t just possible—it’s revolutionary. Think regional curries, spice blends, and global wines in harmony.
  • How SAI membership is opening up access to mentorships, global internships, and exclusive wine training events across India.
  • What the future holds—positioning India as a major player in wine education, tourism, and fine-dining excellence on the global map.

The full article on SAI is out now in our June 2025 edition of Hospitality News!
Discover how this non-profit is shaking up India’s wine scene, nurturing sommelier talent, and making wine a celebration of both taste and tradition.


Shivam & Riddhi Bhagat: 200 Years of Bhagat Halwai, Served Fresh

Shivam & Riddhi Bhagat: 200 Years of Bhagat Halwai, Served Fresh

Nishang Narayan

Published on June 2, 2025

As Bhagat Halwai completes over 200 years of legacy, the iconic Agra-based sweet brand is finding its modern voice through two young, passionate leaders: Shivam Bhagat, Director, and Riddhi Bhagat, Strategic Director.

Stepping into the family business at just 19, Shivam has remained rooted in tradition while redefining how mithai connects with a new generation. Meanwhile, Riddhi brings her hospitality background and entrepreneurial drive into play—crafting mindful, wholesome offerings like “Binge on Baked,” a health-forward brand under the Bhagat Halwai umbrella. Together, they’re proving that legacy doesn’t have to mean outdated—it can mean dependable and dynamic.

Inside the Interview: How They’re Reimagining Mithai for Today’s India

In this heartwarming and forward-looking interview, Shivam and Riddhi share:

  • How a 1795 legacy brand stays fresh through seasonal specials, premium ingredients, and a blend of nostalgia and novelty.
  • Why health-conscious consumers are now at the center of product innovation—from sugar-free mithai to organic ingredients and locally sourced produce.
  • The big festive game plan—including how Bhagat Halwai scales operations, curates gifting options, and delivers joy at scale.
  • How Bhagat Halwai builds lifelong relationships, turning everyday customers into loyal patrons through flavour, service, and trust.
  • The role of creativity and strategy in taking heritage brands beyond sweets—into savouries, multi-cuisine offerings, and modern snacking.

The full interview with Shivam & Riddhi Bhagat is now out in our June 2025 issue of Hospitality News!

Don’t miss this inspiring story of two next-gen leaders keeping tradition alive—while boldly stepping into the future of food.

Read the full feature now at: https://hospitalitynews.in/e-magzines  


Flavours with Purpose: Chef Peter’s Pan-Asian Journey

Flavours with Purpose: Chef Peter’s Pan-Asian Journey

Chef Te Yuan Peter Tseng

Published on June 2, 2025

In this exclusive feature for Hospitalitynews, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Chef Te Yuan Peter Tseng, the visionary Culinary Director of Pricol Gourmet Pvt. Ltd., and the creative force behind the vibrant flavours at Soy Soi. Known to many as Chef Peter, he brings a deep sense of purpose and artistry to his cuisine, which reflects across every plate at Soy Soi and Little Soi.

In this engaging conversation, Chef Peter walks us through his culinary philosophy—one rooted in simplicity, tradition, and balance. His defining dish, Hainan Chicken Rice, reflects his belief that a humble plate, when done right, can speak volumes. As he puts it, a dish may appear minimal, but if it strikes harmony in taste and technique, it represents something much deeper.

Chef Peter also shares what makes Soy Soi stand apart in the competitive world of Pan-Asian dining. With a bold departure from the expected, the restaurant curates lesser-known regional street foods from across Southeast Asia, blending authenticity with innovation. It’s not just about flavour—it’s an experience woven together with ambience and hospitality.

The conversation dives deeper into his creative process, career-defining moments across cities like Chennai, Dubai, and Bangkok, and his vision for where Pan-Asian cuisine is headed in India. His take on “freestyle Asian” dining presents a promising outlook for evolving palates in the country.

What stands out is his thoughtful approach to leadership—where kitchen culture, mentorship, and staff well-being are prioritised as key ingredients to success.

This inspiring conversation with Chef Peter is more than a feature—it’s a masterclass in culinary creativity and team building.

To explore the full interview, grab your June Edition of Hospitalitynews or read it on our website today.