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Published on July 3, 2024
Kedarnath Shetty, co-founder of Baliboo, discusses their menu development philosophy, use of local ingredients, and exciting upcoming plans for the restaurant in this Exclusive Interview.
Conceptualized by the dynamic duo of Divya Kadam and Kedar Shetty, Baliboo boasts a stunning ambiance that reflects the lush beauty of the tropics. Think inviting interiors, a touch of modern elegance, and a warm, inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for a truly unforgettable experience.
But Baliboo’s magic extends beyond its aesthetics. The meticulously crafted menu is a delightful fusion of cultures, offering a taste of the exotic alongside familiar favorites. Whether you're a dedicated vegetarian, a confirmed carnivore, or someone with dietary restrictions, Baliboo caters to all with thoughtfully tailored options. Locally sourced ingredients ensure freshness in every bite, while the culinary team's passion for flavor shines through in each dish.
The restaurant also boasts an impressive beverage program, featuring refreshing cocktails and mocktails that perfectly complement the food. From classic favorites to innovative concoctions bursting with tropical fruits and spices, there’s a drink to tantalize every taste bud.
What inspired the concept behind Baliboo, and how does it differentiate itself in Mumbai’s dining scene?
Inspiration Behind Baliboo: The concept behind Baliboo was inspired by the vibrant cultures and diverse culinary traditions encountered by founders Divya Kadam and Kedar Shetty during their extensive travels. They envisioned creating a dining destination that encapsulates the joy and excitement of discovering new flavors and experiences. This vision is brought to life through Baliboo's innovative menu, which features a seamless blend of global cuisines with a unique twist, creating an unforgettable gastronomic journey for our guests.
Differentiation in Mumbai’s Dining Scene: Baliboo sets itself apart in Mumbai's bustling dining scene through its commitment to culinary ingenuity and heartfelt hospitality. Each dish is meticulously crafted, balancing creativity and tradition to offer a unique taste experience. The ambiance at Baliboo is vibrant and inviting, reflecting the joyous revelry of taste and life's vibrant essence that we aim to celebrate with every visit. Our dedication to exceptional service and creating memorable dining experiences ensures that Baliboo remains a standout choice for food enthusiasts in Mumbai.
Could you share some insights into the design philosophy of Baliboo and how it reflects the essence of a tropical paradise?
Baliboo’s design philosophy centers on creating a tropical paradise within the heart of Mumbai. Inspired by the serene beauty and vibrant culture of tropical destinations, our interior features lush greenery, natural wood elements, and bright, airy spaces. This design reflects our commitment to offering an escape from the urban hustle, allowing guests to unwind and immerse themselves in a tranquil, exotic ambiance while enjoying our unique culinary creations.
How do you ensure that the menu at Baliboo offers a harmonious blend of Asian, Continental, and Indian flavors while catering to diverse dietary preferences?
At Baliboo, we ensure a harmonious blend of Asian, Continental, and Indian flavors by carefully curating our menu to highlight the best of each cuisine while maintaining balance and coherence. Our chefs meticulously source high-quality ingredients and craft dishes that celebrate diverse culinary traditions. Additionally, we offer a variety of options catering to diverse dietary preferences, including vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb choices, ensuring that every guest finds something delightful to enjoy.
Baliboo emphasizes inclusivity with its vegetarian, vegan, and dietary-specific options. How do you approach menu development to accommodate these needs without compromising on taste and quality?
At Baliboo, we approach menu development with a focus on creativity and innovation to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and dietary-specific needs. Our chefs experiment with diverse ingredients and cooking techniques to ensure every dish is flavorful and satisfying. By using fresh, high-quality produce and carefully balancing spices and textures, we create dishes that cater to dietary preferences without compromising on taste and quality. This commitment ensures that all our guests enjoy a memorable dining experience.
The cocktail menu at Baliboo offers a wide range of unique libations. What inspired the creation of signature cocktails like Scarlet and Rosetta?
The creation of signature cocktails like Scarlet and Rosetta at Baliboo is inspired by our desire to craft beverages that reflect the vibrant, tropical essence of our dining experience. Scarlet, with its bold, rich flavors, draws inspiration from exotic fruits and spices, while Rosetta combines delicate floral notes and refreshing botanicals. Both cocktails are designed to complement our diverse menu and enhance the overall sensory experience for our guests.
With the strong emphasis on local sourcing, how does Baliboo contribute to enhancing the community's culinary experience?
At Baliboo, we emphasize local sourcing to contribute to the community’s culinary experience by partnering with local farmers and suppliers. This ensures fresh, high-quality ingredients while supporting the local economy. By incorporating locally-sourced produce into our dishes, we celebrate regional flavors and create a sustainable dining experience that resonates with our community’s tastes and values.
Can you share any upcoming initiatives or events that patrons can look forward to at Baliboo?
At Baliboo, patrons can look forward to an exciting lineup of upcoming initiatives and events, including themed culinary nights, live music performances, and exclusive tasting menus that showcase seasonal ingredients. We are also planning interactive cooking workshops and mixology classes, providing guests with unique and engaging experiences that celebrate our commitment to culinary innovation and community engagement.
What legacy do you hope the restaurant leaves in Mumbai's dining landscape, and what future vision do you have for its continued success?
At Baliboo, we hope to leave a legacy of culinary excellence and innovative dining experiences in Mumbai’s dining landscape. We aim to be remembered for our exceptional food, heartfelt hospitality, and vibrant ambiance. Our future vision includes expanding our reach while maintaining our commitment to quality and creativity, continuously evolving our menu, and deepening our connection with the community through diverse, memorable experiences.
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Published on September 1, 2026
What does it take to create a hospitality experience that guests remember long after they leave? Is luxury defined by the setting, the service, or by the ability to make every guest feel genuinely understood? For Dushyant Singh, Hotel Manager, Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, A Tribute Portfolio Resort, the answer lies somewhere deeper, in the art of thoughtful hospitality.
With more than two decades of experience with Marriott International, Dushyant brings a leadership perspective shaped by diverse cultures, markets, hotel operations and multiple successful openings. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, he takes us behind the philosophy guiding Mulberry Shades and shares how the resort is evolving as a wellness and lifestyle destination.
From leadership and financial performance to personalised service, Dushyant explores the delicate balance between commercial discipline and creating experiences that build loyalty. His insights reveal why engaged teams, empowered associates and genuine human connections remain central to delivering meaningful hospitality.
The conversation then moves into one of the most significant shifts in luxury travel - the growing demand for wellness and experiential stays. Dushyant discusses how Mulberry Shades, located at the foothills of Nandi Hills, is responding through wellness retreats, culinary experiences, outdoor activities and personalised itineraries designed to help guests reconnect with themselves, nature and loved ones.
But the future of hospitality is not only about wellness. Technology is rapidly transforming the guest journey, raising an important question: Can hotels embrace automation and digital convenience without losing the human warmth that defines hospitality? Dushyant offers his perspective on how technology can support teams while keeping genuine interaction at the centre.
He also shares his vision for Mulberry Shades and the opportunities ahead - from corporate well-being programmes and bespoke celebrations to fitness, mindful activities and nature-based experiences.
Our conversation with Dushyant Singh offers a thoughtful look at how luxury hospitality is evolving and what it takes to remain relevant in a changing travel landscape. It was a great conversation exploring leadership, innovation, wellness and the future of guest experiences.
Discover the complete interview with Dushyant Singh in the September issue of Hospitalitynews, available on our website, and explore the physical edition for the full story and more insights from the world of hospitality.
India’s hospitality landscape is entering a phase of transformation, where evolving traveller expectations, technology, emerging destinations and operational resilience are reshaping the way brands approach growth. At the forefront of this conversation is Mohammed Parvez, CEO of Essentia Hotels & Resorts, whose leadership reflects a strong focus on quality, innovation and meaningful guest experiences.
In an exclusive interview with Hospitality News, Parvez shared his perspective on how his understanding of hospitality has evolved from operational excellence to creating memorable experiences and meaningful connections. “My understanding of the hospitality industry has grown from focusing mainly on service delivery and operational excellence to recognising its bigger purpose of creating memorable experiences and meaningful connections,” he says.
Looking at the wider industry, Parvez believes India’s hospitality sector is positioned for sustained growth, supported by rising domestic travel, improved infrastructure, increasing disposable incomes and growing demand for experiential stays. His insights also highlight how emerging destinations are creating opportunities beyond traditional tourism hubs.
But how are hospitality brands responding to the rapidly changing expectations of today’s travellers? At Essentia Hotels & Resorts, Parvez explains that the focus extends beyond accommodation, with business travellers seeking seamless, technology-driven solutions and leisure guests looking for authentic experiences, wellness and connections with local culture.
The conversation also explores some of the industry's pressing challenges. From rising fuel costs and market uncertainties to talent retention and changing guest expectations, Parvez discusses the importance of operational efficiency, smart cost management, sustainable practices and agility in building long-term resilience.
Technology emerges as another important part of this transformation. While digital tools are increasingly helping hotels streamline operations and personalise guest engagement, Parvez emphasises that technology must remain an enabler rather than a replacement for human connection.
And as Essentia Hotels & Resorts continues to grow, what does leadership mean in an increasingly competitive market? For Parvez, the answer comes down to three principles: people, purpose and sustainable value creation. Keeping guests at the centre while empowering teams, encouraging innovation and maintaining operational excellence remains central to his vision.
It was a great conversation with Mohammed Parvez, offering valuable perspectives on leadership, technology, growth and the evolving meaning of hospitality. Discover the complete interview with Mohammed Parvez in the September edition of Hospitality News, available on our website, and get your physical copy to explore the complete collection of stories shaping hospitality and beyond.
What truly makes a guest feel at home in an increasingly competitive hospitality landscape? Is it personalised service, operational excellence, flexibility, or the ability to understand what a traveller needs before they ask? For Wajeed Bagwan, General Manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru, the answer lies in bringing these elements together while never losing sight of the people at the heart of hospitality.
With more than three decades of experience across India and the Middle East, Wajeed has built his career around hotel operations, F&B, pre-openings and leadership. His professional journey includes some of the industry's leading names, including Taj, Oberoi, The Leela and Radisson Hotel Group, along with the successful opening, rebranding and refurbishment of five award-winning hotels in Dubai.
In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, Wajeed takes us beyond the day-to-day functioning of a hotel to explore the thinking behind successful hospitality businesses. He shares insights into leadership, operational agility and the challenge of balancing business performance with consistently high guest satisfaction.
The conversation also explores one of the industry's evolving travel segments: bleisure. With travellers increasingly combining business with leisure, Wajeed discusses how Marriott Executive Apartments Bengaluru is responding through spacious accommodation, flexibility, wellness facilities and personalised services.
Food, too, remains an important part of the conversation. Wajeed shares his perspective on how regional influences, global flavours and thoughtfully curated dining experiences can transform a stay into a memorable journey.
As the industry looks increasingly towards responsible growth, sustainability takes its place among the priorities shaping modern hotel operations. Wajeed discusses the property's approach to energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and sustainable sourcing, while highlighting the importance of involving both associates and guests.
Our conversation with Wajeed Bagwan offers a compelling look at the priorities shaping hospitality today — from people and performance to changing traveller expectations and responsible operations. It was a great conversation filled with practical insights from an experienced hospitality leader.
Discover the complete interview with Wajeed Bagwan in the September issue of Hospitalitynews, available on our website. You can also explore the physical copy of the magazine for this and other conversations shaping the hospitality industry.
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