ROOH, San Francisco’s celebrated progressive Indian restaurant, has announced the appointment of Chef Ashish Tiwari as its new Executive Chef. Bringing with him over 16 years of international culinary expertise, Chef Ashish is set to infuse fresh innovation, creativity, and excellence into the restaurant’s acclaimed kitchen.

Chef Ashish is renowned for his inventive approach to modern Indian cuisine, blending traditional techniques with contemporary artistry while emphasizing the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. His talent and creativity have been widely recognized, including the “Best Menu” award at the International Food Festival, which showcased his flair for curating diverse and flavorful dining experiences.

Before joining ROOH, Chef Ashish served as Executive Chef at ANDAAZ Banquets and Caterers in New Jersey, USA, where he oversaw large-scale culinary operations with a strong focus on flavor, hygiene, and guest satisfaction. Earlier in his career, he worked as Brand Chef at Azure Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., where he successfully elevated culinary standards across multiple restaurant brands.

His journey also includes key roles at prestigious Indian hospitality establishments such as The Leela Ambience, The Claridges, and The Oberoi Hotels, where he was instrumental in enhancing menus, mentoring culinary teams, and redefining dining experiences for discerning guests.

Commenting on his new role, Chef Ashish said, “Joining ROOH San Francisco is both an honor and an exciting new chapter in my career. I look forward to crafting dishes that celebrate India’s culinary heritage while presenting them through a modern, globally inspired lens.”

With Chef Ashish at the helm, ROOH San Francisco is set to strengthen its position as a leading destination for progressive Indian dining. Guests can expect fresh ideas, creative menu additions, and an elevated dining experience that continues to harmonize tradition with innovation.

Israel made a remarkable impact at BLTM 2025 by winning the Best Booth Decoration Award, reaffirming its strong position in India’s travel and MICE market. The pavilion, creatively inspired by Jerusalem’s Old City walls, Tel Aviv’s buzzing beaches, and the iconic Dead Sea, drew over 5,000 visitors and hosted more than 500 B2B meetings during the three-day showcase at the India International Convention Centre (IICC).

The inauguration was led by Galit Hoffman, Consul- Tourism Affairs for India, IMOT, in the presence of Shri Kapil Mishra, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, NCT of Delhi, who applauded the pavilion’s energy and design.

Israel’s showcase at BLTM focused on positioning the country as a holistic destination. For the MICE segment, it highlighted advanced convention facilities, modern infrastructure, and tailor-made incentive itineraries. Destination weddings emerged as a key highlight, with Israel offering couples a blend of history, modernity, and natural beauty from Jerusalem’s heritage sites to beachside venues and desert landscapes. On the leisure side, the destination presented diverse options such as desert treks, skiing on Mount Hermon, floating in the Dead Sea, or enjoying Tel Aviv’s vibrant coastal life.

Adding to the momentum was the debut of Noah Tours, a leading Israeli DMC, which connected with corporates, wedding planners, and agents to promote customised experiences.

Speaking about the participation, Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, IMOT India, said, “BLTM gave us the opportunity to present Israel’s true breadth, as a destination that blends business with leisure, heritage with innovation, and snow with desert. For Indian travellers, Israel is not only efficient for events but also inspiring and unforgettable.”

Echoing this, Galit Hoffman noted, “India and Israel share strong and long-standing ties, and tourism plays an important role in strengthening those bonds. With India as Israel’s top Asian market and ranking 11th globally, we see tremendous potential in deepening our cooperation through MICE, destination weddings, and strategic partnerships that connect people and economies.”

With this recognition, Israel has not only showcased its creativity but also reinforced its position as a dynamic and versatile travel destination for the Indian market.

Palace Hotel Tokyo is ringing in the holiday season with its festive stay package, ‘A Tokyo Christmas’. Designed to capture the magic of Christmas in the heart of the city, the package blends luxurious accommodation, indulgent dining, and a guided tour of Tokyo’s celebrated winter illuminations.

Guests booking the experience can choose between the Premier Suite or Executive Suite for a two-night stay, complemented by Club Lounge privileges that include afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés, and a choice of daily breakfast either in-room or at the lounge. Adding to the holiday cheer, each suite will feature a 5.9-foot decorated Christmas tree, along with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut, festive cookies, and an in-house crafted Christmas cake.

The holiday spirit extends throughout the hotel with sparkling décor and a 16-foot Christmas tree in the lobby. A highlight of the package is the four-hour ‘Tokyo Illuminations’ tour, chauffeuring guests across the city to admire iconic light displays along Marunouchi Naka Dori, Omotesando, Shibuya, and more. Guests can also explore Christmas markets at Roppongi and Azabudai Hills, with a professional photographer capturing memories along the way.

Dining takes centre stage at Grand Kitchen, the hotel’s all-day restaurant, which offers a six-course Christmas menu featuring delicacies like abalone, snow crab, steamed flounder with caviar, and premium Japanese beef. Guests may also opt for Michelin-starred dining at Esterre by Alain Ducasse or experience traditional Japanese menus at Wadakura, GO, or Tatsumi. For those preferring the comfort of their suite, an assortment of exquisite Christmas cakes from Sweets & Deli – from pistachio mousse creations to strawberry shortcake and the signature Marron Chantilly are available.

To complete the festive spread, Sweets & Deli also presents European-style Christmas breads such as stollen, kouglof, and panettone, infused with Japanese flavours like yuzu marzipan, kinako, and matcha with chestnuts.

For more details: www.en.palacehoteltokyo.com/offer/a-tokyo-christmas

About Palace Hotel Tokyo:

Situated in the prestigious Marunouchi district, Palace Hotel Tokyo offers 284 rooms and suites, evian SPA, and ten restaurants and bars, including Michelin-starred Esterre by Alain Ducasse and Amber Palace. With a legacy of over 50 years, the hotel continues to uphold its reputation for refined Japanese hospitality and holds Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star status for both its property and spa.