Shilton Hospitality has announced the appointment of Antony Rohan Parish as corporate chef for its Watson’s Cantina brand, marking a strategic move to strengthen the brand’s culinary direction and operational consistency across outlets.

In his new role, Parish will lead Watson’s Cantina’s overall culinary strategy, with a focus on menu development, brand consistency, kitchen efficiency and guest-centric dining experiences. A key part of his mandate includes the creation of an authentic yet contemporary Latin American–inspired menu, aimed at further reinforcing the brand’s culinary identity.

Parish brings with him over 28 years of experience across hospitality, corporate food operations and international cruise lines. His career spans senior leadership roles in diverse environments, where he has overseen high-volume kitchens, multi-unit operations and large culinary teams.

His professional journey includes roles such as vice president – operations at Trip Villas International Pvt. Ltd., corporate chef at MRG Group, and senior sous chef with Carnival Cruise Inc., Miami. Across these positions, Parish has built a reputation for operational discipline, culinary innovation and team leadership.

Commenting on his appointment, Antony Rohan Parish said, “I am excited to join Shilton Hospitality and take on the responsibility of shaping Watson’s Cantina’s culinary journey. I look forward to working closely with the teams to build a strong, consistent and guest-focused food experience that supports the brand’s growth and vision.”

The appointment is expected to support Watson’s Cantina’s expansion plans while ensuring a cohesive dining experience rooted in bold flavours and contemporary Latin American influences

Homegrown coffee chain Barista Coffee has achieved a significant growth milestone with the opening of its 500th café at Shaguna More in Patna, marking a defining moment in the brand’s journey of building café culture in India. The launch also coincides with Barista completing 26 years of operations in the country.

Since its inception in 2000, Barista has evolved from one of India’s earliest organised coffee chains into a widely recognised café brand with a strong national footprint. Today, the brand operates 500 cafés across more than 165 cities, reflecting its consistent expansion beyond metro markets and its growing presence in tier 2 and tier 3 locations.

The decision to open the milestone café in Patna highlights Barista’s strategic focus on emerging urban centres, where rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanisation and an increasing appetite for premium café experiences are driving demand. These markets have become central to the brand’s next phase of growth.

Commenting on the achievement, Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista Coffee, said, “We are delighted to achieve another significant milestone in our growth journey with the launch of our 500th café in Patna. This launch reflects Barista’s continued commitment to the Indian coffee market and our steady expansion across regions. Over the last 26 years, quality and consistency have remained at the core of our brand, supported by the trust of our customers and the dedication of our teams and partners nationwide.”

With a balanced footprint across metros and smaller cities, Barista continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s leading homegrown coffee chains, while laying the foundation for sustained growth in the evolving café and beverage landscape.

The Himachal Pradesh government has issued a statewide advisory following an active western disturbance that is likely to cause heavy snowfall and rainfall across the state between January 26 and 28, officials said. All district administrations have been placed on alert to manage possible disruptions and ensure public safety during the period.

According to a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system is expected to bring a prolonged wet spell, with isolated spells of heavy snowfall in higher reaches and rainfall in lower and adjoining areas. The conditions may impact road connectivity, power supply and essential services across several districts.

Quoting the advisory issued by the Revenue Department, the state government has directed all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to activate District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) for round-the-clock monitoring and coordination. District administrations have been asked to review and update contingency and evacuation plans, particularly in snow-bound, flood-prone and low-lying urban areas.

The government has stressed the importance of timely dissemination of public warnings and travel advisories to ensure the safety of commuters and tourists. "All departments have been instructed to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness to deal with any eventuality arising due to heavy snowfall or rainfall," the HP government said in the advisory.

The Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed to pre-position snow clearance machinery, including JCBs and snow cutters, at strategic locations to minimise road blockages and restore connectivity at the earliest. Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) have also been directed to remain ready for immediate restoration of roads and critical infrastructure.

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has been asked to keep emergency teams on standby for quick restoration of power supply and to ensure adequate backup for essential services. The Jal Shakti Vibhag has been directed to maintain uninterrupted water and sanitation services, especially in high-risk and snow-bound regions.

Meanwhile, the Police and Tourism Departments have been instructed to regulate traffic on vulnerable routes and issue travel advisories to prevent tourists from entering high-risk zones. Coordination with transport authorities has also been emphasised to ensure commuter safety.

The state government has further directed all departments to maintain close coordination with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and submit daily situation reports during the period of the weather disturbance. Snow clearance and road restoration works are currently underway in Shimla and other parts of the state.

Due to snowfall in the upper reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba and Kinnaur districts, more than 600 roads have been blocked, causing difficulties for both locals and visitors. Efforts are ongoing to restore connectivity at the earliest.