American Pistachios Growers Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

American Pistachios Growers Appoints Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 13, 2024

American Pistachios Growers (APG) has named Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world’s top cricket players, as the brand ambassador for California-grown pistachios for the 2024-25 season. The announcement was made by APG’s India office, highlighting Bumrah’s association with the brand as a move to promote the nutritional benefits of pistachios among Indian consumers.

Garth Thorburn, the Minister Counselor for Agriculture at the US Embassy in India, expressed excitement about this partnership, stating, "Jasprit Bumrah's unwavering commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, makes him the ideal ambassador for American Pistachios Growers (APG).” He further mentioned that the collaboration is significant due to the number of Indian-origin pistachio growers in California, strengthening ties between the two nations. Thorburn added, “This partnership promotes a shared vision of health and wellness for people everywhere.”

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Bumrah, who is exclusively represented by RISE Worldwide, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration. “I’m delighted to partner with American Pistachio Growers. For an athlete, nutrition plays a huge role in performance, and I find pistachios to be a perfect snack. They are packed with protein and healthy fats, offering me sustained energy throughout the day. American pistachios are my go-to because they provide the nutrients I need to stay at my best,” said Bumrah.

Diet specialist and celebrity nutritionist Dr. Siddhant Bhargava also spoke about the health benefits of pistachios, particularly for athletes. “American pistachios are a powerful ally for athletes. They're rich in antioxidants that protect healthy cells from free radical damage and provide complete protein essential for muscle regeneration and repair. They also offer beneficial fats, fiber, and crucial nutrients that support peak performance and overall health,” he explained.

Sumit Saran, the Indian representative of APG, expressed pride in associating with Bumrah, acknowledging his remarkable achievements that have inspired many. Saran pointed out that India is a growing market for American pistachios, and although India does not produce pistachios, awareness of their health benefits is driving demand. “With Jasprit Bumrah, we are looking to take the information about American pistachio nutrition and health to health-conscious consumers across the country,” Saran added.

American pistachios are available on major e-commerce platforms and with leading dry fruit retailers across India. Consumers can find them by searching for "California pistachios," with several brands offering them in the country.


Rohan Sable Appointed CEO of Charcoal Concepts

Rohan Sable Appointed CEO of Charcoal Concepts

By Hariharan U

Published on May 15, 2026

Charcoal Concepts, the multi-brand restaurant platform under K Hospitality Corp, has announced the appointment of Rohan Sable as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership move for one of India’s leading food services groups.

In his new role, Rohan Sable will oversee the strategic direction, growth, and operations of a diverse portfolio of more than 45 restaurants across India and international markets including London, Colombo, Kuwait, and Dubai. His responsibilities include driving brand vision, business expansion, and operational excellence across marquee brands such as Copper Chimney, Bombay Brasserie, Bombay Borough, and Wagamama India, while also leading new concept development and incubation within the group.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and restaurant industry, Rohan brings a strong track record in operations, brand building, and business expansion. His career includes leadership roles such as Regional COO (South India) at PVR INOX Ltd and Area General Manager Delegate at Accor, along with extensive experience across both Indian and international hospitality formats.

His appointment comes at a time when Charcoal Concepts is entering an ambitious growth phase. The company aims to evolve into India’s premier multi-brand, multi-format, cuisine-driven restaurant powerhouse by 2033. The strategic roadmap includes scaling its footprint from its current presence of 35 outlets in India and 5 international outlets to over 272 outlets across India and global markets over the next eight years.

Under Rohan’s leadership, the company will focus on accelerating expansion, strengthening existing brands, and introducing new dining formats aligned with evolving consumer preferences. His approach is expected to balance operational discipline with innovation, ensuring scalability while maintaining strong brand identity and guest experience.

The leadership transition reinforces Charcoal Concepts’ commitment to innovation, growth, and delivering distinctive dining experiences across markets, further strengthening its position in India’s rapidly evolving food and beverage industry.

For more information, visit K Hospitality Corp


Banyan Tree Krabi Appoints Indian Cuisine Specialist Chef Chander Prakash

Banyan Tree Krabi Appoints Indian Cuisine Specialist Chef Chander Prakash

By Hariharan U

Published on May 15, 2026

Banyan Tree Krabi has announced the appointment of Chef Chander Prakash as part of its culinary team, strengthening the resort’s Indian dining offerings with authentic North Indian and Arabic cuisine expertise.

Chef Chander joins the luxury beachfront resort with over a decade of experience across India and Thailand, specialising in traditional Indian curries, biryanis, kebabs, tandoori preparations, and Arabic cuisine. At Banyan Tree Krabi, he will contribute to the culinary experiences at The Naga Kitchen, further expanding the resort’s international dining portfolio.

Speaking about his culinary philosophy, Chef Chander said cooking goes beyond preparing food and focuses on creating memorable dining experiences through fresh ingredients, balanced flavours, and attention to detail. He added that his culinary journey has always been deeply connected to traditional spices and the art of tandoor cooking.

Known for signature dishes such as Dal Makhani, Butter Chicken, and Paneer Butter Masala, Chef Chander brings extensive experience from premium hospitality brands across Thailand and India. Prior to joining Banyan Tree Krabi, he worked as Indian and Arabic Chef at Sinae Phuket and earlier at Keemala Hotel in Phuket. His previous experience also includes Hotel Germanus Springs in Kodaikanal and De Karavali restaurant in Bengaluru, where he developed his expertise in tandoor cuisine.

Commenting on the appointment, Porntip Narangsiya, Director of Food & Beverage at Banyan Tree Krabi, said the addition of Chef Chander would help strengthen the resort’s culinary identity through authentic Indian cuisine. She added that the resort welcomes a significant number of Indian guests, including destination weddings and celebratory groups, making elevated Indian dining an important addition to the overall guest experience.

Located along Tubkaek Beach in southern Thailand, Banyan Tree Krabi features 72 pool suites and villas overlooking the Andaman Sea. The luxury resort offers multiple dining experiences, wellness facilities, spa therapies, and curated luxury hospitality experiences rooted in wellbeing and personalised service.

The property has also received global recognition, earning Two MICHELIN Keys in 2024 and 2025, while being featured in Fodor’s Travel 2026 list of “The 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World.”

For more information, visit Banyan Tree Krabi


The Access Group appoints Shashikant Shimpi as Managing Director, India to drive Hospitality growth and APAC expansion

The Access Group appoints Shashikant Shimpi as Managing Director, India to drive Hospitality growth and APAC expansion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 15, 2026

The Access Group, one of the leading global providers of business management software, has announced the appointment of Shashikant Shimpi (Shashi) as Managing Director, India, for its Hospitality Division. The move marks an important step in the company’s APAC growth plans, with India being seen as a key market for both business expansion and technology development.

Shashi joined the company in May 2026 and will oversee The Access Group’s India operations. His role will focus on strengthening growth opportunities for STAAH, an Access company and one of the region’s hospitality technology platforms, while also supporting wider technology and innovation goals across APAC.

Bringing over 25 years of experience, Shashi has built a strong career in digital transformation, business growth, and client success. Over the years, he has established three Global Capability Centres from the ground up, scaling each to teams of more than a thousand professionals across multiple locations. Before joining The Access Group, he served as Global COO at RunDTC and also held leadership roles at Dentsu, Isobar, and Tata group companies.

Known for driving large-scale growth and creating long-term value, Shashi has experience in strategic planning, P&L management, and expanding businesses through both organic and inorganic growth. He was also recognised as Business Leader of the Year by the World Leadership Congress.

India continues to emerge as one of the fastest-growing travel and tourism markets globally. With both independent and chain hotels increasingly adopting modern technology to improve revenue management, distribution, and guest experiences, the company sees significant opportunity in the market. Through STAAH, The Access Group already has an established presence among hoteliers in India and plans to build further on that foundation with broader technology offerings.

Apart from market growth, India’s strong technology ecosystem and increasing expertise in AI-related fields make it an important location for future capability building. As part of his role, Shashi will also focus on developing strong talent that contributes to the division’s product and technology goals.

“India is an exciting near term growth market for us in the accommodation software space. Through STAAH, an Access company, we already have a substantial footprint with hoteliers across the country, and as we prepare to bring Access Evo to India, our AI-powered platform that empowers hospitality businesses to focus on what truly matters, from answering the biggest strategic questions to completing everyday tasks, having world-class leadership on the ground is critical. Shashi is exactly the right person to lead The Access Group in India," said Louise Daley, Head of Hospitality APAC, The Access Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Shashikant Shimpi, Managing Director, India, The Access Group, said, "Joining The Access Group at this point in its India journey is a tremendous opportunity. We have a strong foundation through STAAH, an Access company, and the broader Access platform opens up possibilities that support even greater options for our customers to grow their businesses and support their employees to do more. My priority will be to build a team that is deeply connected to The Access Group's mission, bring in the best talent India has to offer, and ensure our customers across the region have a technology partner they can genuinely rely on."

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