The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has signed a three-year strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to strengthen hospitality education, promote regional culinary heritage and support tourism development across the state. The agreement was signed through the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) in Tirupati on 6 November 2026.

The partnership aims to connect hospitality education with industry requirements and the state's economic development priorities. It will focus on building a skilled workforce, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, promoting regional tourism and introducing emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into hospitality and destination management.

The collaboration brings together IIHM's academic and industry-integrated education framework with Andhra Pradesh's tourism and economic development objectives. It is intended to create opportunities for students and young professionals while strengthening the relationship between educational institutions, government bodies and hospitality businesses.

Speaking about the agreement, Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman of IIHM, said, "This partnership marks a momentous occasion where government vision seamlessly meets global hospitality expertise. By joining hands with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, IIHM is committed to creating a vibrant ecosystem that empowers young talent with world-class skills, integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI, and positions the state as a leading benchmark for global hospitality education."

Dr. Bose also highlighted the importance of regional food traditions and tourism in the partnership, adding, "Our alliance goes beyond conventional academic partnerships, it is about honoring the rich culinary heritage of Andhra Pradesh and reimagining its tourism potential. Together with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board, we are opening dynamic new avenues for innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment that will resonate across the region for years to come."

Four Key Areas of Collaboration

The three-year agreement identifies four broad areas for joint initiatives:

1. Hospitality Education and Skills Development

IIHM and the state will work towards introducing modern skill sets, international hospitality practices and advanced training methodologies. The focus will be on preparing students for evolving roles across the hospitality and tourism sectors.

2. Promotion of Andhra Pradesh's Culinary Heritage

The partnership will seek to document and promote regional culinary traditions, indigenous ingredients and traditional recipes. It also aims to encourage food entrepreneurship and bring greater visibility to Andhra Pradesh's cuisine.

3. Tourism Development and Destination Promotion

The organisations will explore ways to improve destination visibility and encourage sustainable tourism models. The proposed initiatives include developing immersive culinary and eco-tourism experiences across destinations in the state.

4. Education–Industry Integration

The agreement will establish opportunities for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders, with an emphasis on employment pathways, innovation and youth entrepreneurship.

Focus on AI, Research and Sustainable Tourism

As the partnership progresses, IIHM and the Government of Andhra Pradesh plan to introduce dedicated skill development programmes, organise culinary research initiatives and support sustainable tourism campaigns.

The collaboration also identifies artificial intelligence and emerging technologies as areas of focus, particularly in service operations and destination management. Their potential application could support more efficient hospitality operations and evolving visitor experiences.

By establishing connections between academia, local government authorities and industry networks, the agreement seeks to align hospitality training with changing market requirements while creating opportunities for regional businesses and aspiring professionals.

About IIHM

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) is a network of hospitality management institutes offering programmes in hospitality, tourism and culinary arts. With campuses in India and overseas, the institute focuses on industry-integrated education, international exposure and professional development.

Its initiatives also cover culinary diplomacy, entrepreneurship, sustainability and the application of artificial intelligence in hospitality education and operations.

The three-year partnership provides a framework for IIHM and the Government of Andhra Pradesh to work together on workforce development, culinary promotion and tourism initiatives, linking educational expertise with the state's wider hospitality and economic development objectives.

Building on Gurukripa's culinary legacy dating back to 1977, second-generation hospitality entrepreneur Akshay Shetty has launched Palate Specialty Caterers, a premium catering venture that brings restaurant-inspired menus and personalised dining experiences to weddings, corporate gatherings and private celebrations.

Launched in 2026 under Passion Projects Hospitality, Palate combines the group's longstanding food and beverage experience with contemporary culinary concepts, interactive food stations and customised menus. The venture aims to bridge the gap between conventional event catering and evolving dining preferences by bringing the creativity and presentation of restaurant dining to large-format celebrations.

The group's hospitality portfolio includes Gurukripa Restobar, with outlets in Powai and Thane, and Cray Craft Kitchen & Bar in Andheri, established in 2023. Palate builds on these existing operations while extending the group's culinary expertise into bespoke event catering.

From Restaurant Kitchens to Large-Format Celebrations

A key milestone for the venture came in March 2026, when Palate catered the Haldi ceremony of the granddaughter of V. R. Shariff, Founder and Chairman of Niton Valve Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Valvinox), who is widely recognised as the “Valve Man of India”.

The event involved bespoke catering for gatherings of up to 1,000 guests, demonstrating the venture's ability to manage large celebrations while offering customised food concepts and presentation.

Commenting on the launch, Akshay Shetty, Proprietor, Passion Projects Hospitality, said, “Gurukripa has been an integral part of our journey, shaping our understanding of how food brings people together. With Palate, we are taking this experience into a new space, creating bespoke culinary experiences that go beyond conventional catering. From intimate celebrations to large-format events, exclusive private gatherings and brand-led experiences, Palate brings together curated food concepts, artistic presentation and interactive dining to make every occasion distinctive.”

A Menu Built Around Variety and Interaction

Palate's culinary offering spans regional Indian specialities, South Indian favourites and international cuisines, including Asian and Continental dishes. The menus are tailored to the occasion, with an emphasis on variety, presentation and guest interaction.

Among the venture's distinctive creations is Tacos Uramaki, which presents sushi in a taco-style format. Chef Amir Khan's Biryani, a longstanding favourite from Gurukripa's existing menu, brings an established offering into the catering portfolio.

For dessert, Churros with Chocolate Canvas Art combines a familiar sweet treat with a visual element, allowing food presentation to become part of the guest experience.

The catering format also includes live culinary stations, grazing tables and customisable menus. Standardised recipes and live batch cooking are used to maintain consistency and quality across events, including larger gatherings.

Catering for Different Occasions

With the capacity to serve approximately 800–1,000 guests, Palate caters to weddings, corporate hospitality, intimate gatherings and large-format celebrations. Its approach combines customised food concepts with service and operational planning suited to events of varying sizes.

The launch represents a new direction for Passion Projects Hospitality, extending the experience built through Gurukripa and Cray Craft Kitchen & Bar into a dedicated catering business. By combining established culinary foundations with contemporary presentation and interactive dining, Palate aims to address the changing expectations of event hosts and guests.

About Palate Specialty Caterers

Palate Specialty Caterers is a premium catering venture under Passion Projects Hospitality, led by second-generation entrepreneur Akshay Shetty. Rooted in Gurukripa's culinary legacy, which dates back to 1977, and drawing on the group's contemporary hospitality experience through Cray Craft Kitchen & Bar, Palate offers bespoke catering for weddings, corporate gatherings, private celebrations and large-format events

Sommet Education, in collaboration with DLG (Digital Luxury Group), has released the Luxury & Hospitality Career Index 2026, a study examining the career journeys, employer preferences and professional development of graduates from Glion Hospitality & Luxury Business Education and Les Roches Global Hospitality Education.

The study draws on responses from 451 alumni surveyed between April and August 2026. It explores three key areas: employer experience, employer desirability and career outcomes, including professional seniority, job roles, international mobility and career preparedness.

Glion was ranked among the world's top three hospitality schools and Les Roches among the top two in the 2026 QS rankings, according to the announcement. The report provides insights into how graduates from both institutions are building careers across hospitality, luxury and the wider experience economy.

International Careers and Professional Growth

The findings highlight the international nature of alumni careers, with 53% of respondents working outside their home country. Meanwhile, 48% hold mid-level management positions or above, almost one in three work in senior management or executive roles, and 16% are owners or founders.

These results reflect career progression across different sectors, particularly as more than 40% of the respondents graduated in 2020 or later. The findings also point to an entrepreneurial trend, with a notable share of alumni establishing businesses or taking ownership roles.

Professional development is another key factor shaping employer preferences. According to the study, 78% of respondents said their current role helps them develop skills valuable for their long-term careers, while 76% said their employer has enhanced their professional profile. In addition, 71% agreed that their current employer has a strong industry reputation.

The study also highlights the skills alumni believe their education has helped them develop. Across Glion and Les Roches, 80% of respondents felt well or extremely well prepared for cross-cultural communication, 74% for understanding the luxury and hospitality industry, and 69% for building professional networks.

Commenting on the findings, Christophe Julliard, Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer at Sommet Education, said, “The Index demonstrates the breadth of careers that hospitality education can unlock today. Across Glion and Les Roches, we see graduates building international careers, progressing into leadership positions and entrepreneurial roles, and developing profiles that are valued by some of the world’s most recognised hospitality and luxury organisations. While each institution has its own identity and areas of strength, they share the ability to equip graduates with the international outlook, industry understanding and human skills required to build long-term careers in a rapidly evolving sector.”

Leading Hospitality and Luxury Brands Attract Graduates

The Index also examines the organisations alumni would most like to work for. Respondents could name up to three preferred employers, with Four Seasons ranking first with 106 mentions, followed by Marriott International with 79, Mandarin Oriental with 56, Aman with 53 and Rosewood with 37.

LVMH also featured among the overall top ten preferred employers. International hotel groups accounted for 65% of all employer mentions, highlighting the continued appeal of established hospitality brands among graduates.

The preferences differed between the two alumni communities. Among Glion graduates, Marriott ranked first, followed by Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental. LVMH/Cheval Blanc ranked fourth, while Chanel and Hermès also featured among the frequently mentioned employers, reflecting interest across both hospitality and luxury brands.

For Les Roches graduates, Four Seasons topped the list, followed by Marriott, Mandarin Oriental and Rosewood. Hilton, Hyatt and Accor also featured prominently, alongside LVMH/Cheval Blanc. The results highlight the range of career paths available to hospitality graduates, with opportunities spanning international hotel groups, luxury brands and businesses focused on customer experiences.

Preparing Graduates for Evolving Careers

The Index points to a professional landscape in which hospitality careers are becoming increasingly international and extending beyond traditional hotel operations. While employer reputation remains important, the findings suggest that career development and opportunities for long-term progression are also central to employee expectations.

As hospitality, luxury and lifestyle businesses place greater emphasis on customer experience, the demand for professionals with business knowledge, cross-cultural understanding, emotional intelligence and people skills continues to shape the sector. Employer feedback collected alongside the Index also highlights the perceived strengths of Glion and Les Roches graduates, including their international outlook, professionalism, service-oriented approach and practical hospitality knowledge.

These capabilities can support careers not only in hotel operations but also in luxury brand management, entrepreneurship, consulting, events, real estate and other experience-led industries. Developed by Sommet Education in collaboration with DLG, the Luxury & Hospitality Career Index 2026 offers a perspective on the career ambitions and professional experiences of the two institutions' alumni, highlighting how hospitality education connects graduates with opportunities across an expanding global industry.