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Published on November 4, 2024
In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality News, Dipti and Mithilesh Shetty, co-founders of Mool: Kitchen & Bar and Mool: Kaapi Bar & Bakes, opened up about their dedication to preserving regional Indian culinary traditions. The Shettys have built Mool with the goal of bringing authentic, lesser-known Indian recipes to the forefront of the country’s bustling culinary landscape. With over 30 years of combined experience in the industry, their passion is palpable as they dive into their unique concept, journey, and ambitions for Mool.
When asked about the origins of Mool, Dipti and Mithilesh shared, “The concept behind Mool, which means 'from the source,' is deeply personal to us. As avid travelers and food enthusiasts, we’ve always been on the lookout for authentic culinary experiences. We observed that while many restaurants utilize regional produce, few actually serve Indian food in its traditional forms. To stay true to our vision, we decided to learn traditional recipes directly from homemakers across the country. This journey taught us not only about various ingredients but also the cultural significance behind each dish, allowing us to offer our guests in Mumbai a genuinely authentic experience.”
On how they ensure authenticity while appealing to a modern audience, Mithilesh added, “Our team prioritizes quality over profit. We source ingredients from their original sources—wild nettle from Uttarakhand, Hing from Rajasthan, and Sattu from Jharkhand. By collaborating with reputable vendors and sticking to local origins, we maintain consistency in our dishes, capturing our guests’ interest with true hyper-local flavors.”
Mool’s mission is more than just showcasing food; it’s about empowering local home chefs and highlighting India’s culinary richness. Dipti explained, “Our initial challenge was persuading local home cooks to share their treasured recipes with us. Once we built trust, we traveled across 15 regions, documenting each chef's story and signature recipe. Upon returning, we invited these home chefs to Mool to validate our preparation of their dishes, ensuring authenticity remains central to our offerings.”
Discussing Mool’s commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing, Dipti elaborated, “Sustainability is woven into our business model. We source ingredients from organic farms and directly from farmers, providing them with steady income. Additionally, we share a portion of each meal’s proceeds with the homemakers whose recipes inspire our menu, reinforcing our commitment to supporting their culinary traditions.”
Balancing fine dining elements with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere is part of Mool’s unique identity. “While we appear to be a fine dining establishment, we embrace an upmarket Fine Casual concept at our core. This blend of casual charm with a touch of sophistication lets our guests savor regional Indian culinary delights in a relaxed setting,” Mithilesh shared. “Eating with your hands is encouraged here, adding an intimate and authentic touch to the dining experience.”
The Shettys also discussed how seasonal ingredients and Indian festivals influence Mool’s offerings. “India’s festivals shape our menu,” Mithilesh noted. “From a Lohri menu in January to special dishes for Holi, Eid, and Diwali, we create festive menus celebrating India’s culinary heritage. This October, for example, we’re excited to offer a vegetarian Navratri Thali that highlights the goodness of millets.”
Looking to the future, Dipti and Mithilesh envision Mool expanding beyond metropolitan cities and potentially into international markets. “Our goal is to reach more audiences who appreciate authentic Indian cuisine,” said Mithilesh. “With a straightforward menu focused on lesser-known regional specialties, we’re confident that Mool can resonate with both NRI communities and international diners.”
The interview offered a profound look at the Shettys’ dedication to culinary authenticity and cultural preservation. It was a pleasure to delve into their journey and vision for Mool. You can check out the complete interview in the November issue of Hospitality News, available on our website.
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Published on June 1, 2026
As Indian destination weddings continue to gain global prominence, hospitality brands are creating experiences that seamlessly blend cultural traditions with international luxury. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality News, Yashwini Naik, Global Account Director – Sales at Shangri-La, shares her perspectives on the evolving landscape of luxury destination weddings and the vision behind Bandhan by Shangri-La.
During the interaction, Yashwini reflects on the inspiration that led to the creation of Bandhan by Shangri-La and how the brand has grown into a dedicated platform for Indian couples seeking culturally authentic celebrations across some of the world's most sought-after destinations.
She also discusses changing wedding preferences among modern Indian couples, the rising popularity of destinations such as Sri Lanka, and the growing demand for personalized, experience-led celebrations that go beyond traditional wedding formats. The conversation further explores how Shangri-La balances bespoke experiences with consistent service excellence across its global portfolio.
Sustainability, another key focus area, also features prominently in the discussion, with Yashwini highlighting how environmentally conscious practices are being integrated into luxury weddings without compromising grandeur or guest experience.
Looking ahead, she shares her vision for the future of Bandhan by Shangri-La and offers valuable insights into how Indian destination weddings are expected to evolve on the global stage.
Our conversation with Yashwini Naik provides a compelling look at the trends shaping one of hospitality's fastest-growing segments. Read the complete interview in the June edition of Hospitality News Magazine, available on our website and in print.
With over three decades of experience in hospitality and nearly 25 years with The Residency Hotels Group, Gopinath Balasundaram has played a pivotal role in shaping one of South India's most respected hospitality brands. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitality News, he shares valuable insights into the group's journey, leadership philosophy, and future vision.
During the interaction, Gopinath reflects on how The Residency Hotels Group has established itself as a benchmark for hospitality excellence through its commitment to “Hospitality with Heart,” blending personalised service, operational consistency, and continuous innovation. He discusses the group's longstanding focus on guest-centric experiences and the importance of preserving individuality across its portfolio while maintaining luxury standards.
The conversation also highlights the brand's investment in technology, modern infrastructure, and manpower development. From intelligent room automation systems and advanced guest comfort features to innovative service solutions, Gopinath offers a glimpse into how technology is enhancing the guest experience while supporting operational efficiency.
Sharing perspectives on international luxury hospitality, he speaks about the group's association with The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and how the property exemplifies refined luxury, sustainability, and globally recognised service standards.
Looking ahead, Gopinath outlines the group's ambitious growth roadmap, including major developments in Chennai, Madurai, Mysuru, and the Maldives. He also reflects on the defining milestones that shaped his leadership journey, including several successful hotel pre-openings and the evolution of the group's guest-first culture.
The discussion offers an insightful look into the changing dynamics of hospitality, the importance of innovation, and the opportunities that lie ahead for Indian hotel brands.
Our conversation with Gopinath Balasundaram provides readers with valuable perspectives on leadership, growth, and the future of hospitality. To read the complete interview, visit the June edition of Hospitality News Magazine on our website or explore the full feature in our print edition.
Published on May 4, 2026
Fine Acers, a recognised name in hospitality-led real estate, has partnered with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to introduce the Dolce brand in India, marking a significant step as the country’s tourism and hospitality sector is projected to reach USD 59 billion by 2028. Reflecting on this milestone, Dinesh Yadav, Founder & MD of Fine Acers highlights how the collaboration aligns with rising demand for premium leisure travel, destination weddings, and experiential stays. With existing resorts in Jaipur, Pushkar, and Goa, the company currently operates 200 rooms across three properties and plans to add 700 more keys over the next three years across Jaipur, Jawai, Udaipur, Pushkar, and Coorg, backed by an investment of around ₹600 crore. This expansion will take the total inventory to 1500 rooms across seven properties.
The introduction of Dolce by Wyndham comes at a time when India’s luxury hospitality segment faces a supply gap, with only around 29,000 luxury rooms available nationwide. Positioned to bridge this gap, Dolce integrates business, leisure, and large-scale event capabilities, making it ideal for high-demand markets like Goa and Udaipur, known for strong occupancy rates and wedding-driven demand. Fine Acers’ sale-and-leaseback model supports growth by enabling investors to purchase around 70% of its inventory, which is leased back and professionally managed, offering attractive returns without operational involvement, a model gaining traction among HNIs and NRIs seeking financial and experiential value. Backed by strong industry fundamentals, with hotel demand projected to grow at 10.8% annually against 8% supply growth, the company is expanding into high-demand destinations with a vision to surpass 1500 keys by 2030 and establish itself as a leading player in resort and lifestyle hospitality, while destination weddings and MICE remain central to the strategy, supported by India’s USD 130 billion wedding industry, driving memorable guest experiences and sustained growth.
This engaging exchange offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of India’s luxury hospitality sector and the strategic vision driving Fine Acers forward. It was truly a great conversation with Dinesh Yadav, and readers can explore the complete feature in the Hospitality News May Magazine, available on our website and in print.
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