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By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 19, 2024
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, nestled in the captivating Empty Quarter, is delighted to announce the appointment of Italian national Giuseppe "Pino" Lavarra as its new Culinary Director. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Chef Pino, a Michelin-starred chef, brings a new era of culinary excellence and innovation to this iconic desert destination.
Chef Lavarra's culinary journey began with a rigorous three-year program at Ipssar A. Perotti, an esteemed Italian hospitality kitchen management school in Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy. In 1986, he took on his first role as Chef de Cuisine at The Marina Mandarin Singapore Hotel Group and Penang Mutiara Beach Resort's Restaurant, La Farfalla. Following this, he assumed a leadership position at Palazzo Sasso in Ravello, Italy, with Virgin Group Hotels as Executive Sous Chef.
His career then took him to the acclaimed 2 Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons in Oxford, UK, where he served as Sous Chef from 1998 to 1999. During this time, Chef Lavarra had the notable opportunity to hone his skills under the guidance of Celebrity Chef Raymond Blanc. Continuing his career trajectory, Chef Lavarra joined Park Hyatt The Carlton Tower's Grissini Restaurant in London but returned to Palazzo Sasso with Virgin Group in 2001, where he excelled as Executive Chef until 2013. During this tenure, he led the kitchen to earn 2 Michelin stars at the fine dining restaurant Rossellinis, and managed other outlets including The Lounge & Bar, Room Service, The Beach Club Restaurant, and Selected Banquets events.
In 2013, Chef Lavarra began a new chapter at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong as the Culinary Director of Tosca Restaurant, where he earned a Michelin star in just six months and held it until 2018. He subsequently held the position of Executive Chef at The Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Doha between August 2018 and 2023. In 2020, he had the honor of being selected to plan, set, and deliver an exquisite dinner for Mr. Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic, during his visit to Doha.
Chef Pino's journey also includes notable projects such as leading the opening of Zilos Restaurant in Jeddah earlier this year and contributing as Culinary Coach and Trainer for various international ventures, such as Nolita Restaurant in Naples and Dorothea in Budapest. Moreover, his role on Marriott International's Advisory Board for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa underscores his influence in shaping global culinary standards. His leadership excellence was also showcased during the Qatar FIFA World Cup, where he curated bespoke menus for VIP lounges and exclusive events, solidifying his reputation as a culinary luminary.
Jean-Paul Dantil, General Manager of Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara, commented on this new appointment, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Chef Pino Lavarra to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. His expertise and commitment to culinary innovation align perfectly with our vision of providing exceptional dining experiences amidst the breathtaking desert landscape." "We are particularly excited about the new restaurant concept he will be leading, set to launch in Q4. Chef Pino is currently immersed in every detail, from menu development to staff training, ensuring that our guests will enjoy a truly unique and unforgettable dining experience. We look forward to revealing more details very soon."
Jean-Paul Dantil, General Manager of Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara, commented on this new appointment, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Chef Pino Lavarra to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. His expertise and commitment to culinary innovation align perfectly with our vision of providing exceptional dining experiences amidst the breathtaking desert landscape."
"We are particularly excited about the new restaurant concept he will be leading, set to launch in Q4. Chef Pino is currently immersed in every detail, from menu development to staff training, ensuring that our guests will enjoy a truly unique and unforgettable dining experience. We look forward to revealing more details very soon."
Chef Pino's impressive list of accolades includes consecutive Michelin stars, Best Chef honors, 3 Forks Gambero Rosso, and Best Italian Restaurant distinctions. His strategic leadership, wealth of experience, and meticulous approach are expected to elevate the resort's reputation as a premier destination for luxury hospitality and gastronomy.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on March 17, 2026
Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.
In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.
Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.
As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.
“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.
Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Kimberly Fernandez as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With experience in media, communications, and hospitality marketing, she brings valuable knowledge to support the hotel’s efforts in strengthening brand presence and guest engagement.
In her new role, Kimberly will handle the hotel’s marketing, digital, communications, and public relations initiatives. Her focus will be on improving brand visibility while highlighting the property’s dining and wellness offerings. She will also work closely with teams across the hotel to create impactful campaigns, build media relationships, and share stories that reflect the unique experiences offered at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.
Kimberly’s professional journey includes working with well-known hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency Chennai, Novotel Ahmedabad, and Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley during its pre-opening phase. She has also gained experience outside the hospitality space with Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Care World TV. Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in media relations, brand communication, digital strategy, and event-led marketing.
As Marketing & Communications Manager, she will lead brand positioning, digital presence, content creation, media engagement, and strategic events. Her role will focus on creating meaningful connections with guests while strengthening Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s position as a preferred destination for stays, dining, and celebrations.
"I am excited to take on this role at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and look forward to building engaging campaigns that showcase the hotel’s signature experiences. My focus will be on strengthening our digital presence, amplifying our brand story, and deepening connections with guests and the community, while reflecting the care and hospitality that define Hyatt," said Kimberly Fernandez, Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.
By Hariharan U
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has added a strong culinary voice to its kitchen leadership with the appointment of Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef. The move reinforces the hotel's position as one of Mumbai's most respected luxury dining destinations, known for its signature brunches, elevated banquet offerings, and refined guest experiences.
Rahul comes with a well-rounded and impressive career behind him. His previous stints include Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Hyatt Pune, and Sahara Star Hotel, giving him exposure to the kind of high-pressure, high-standard kitchen environments that luxury hospitality demands. His expertise spans Japanese, Oriental, Western, and Awadhi cuisines, a genuinely broad range that speaks to the versatility required in a hotel of JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's scale and ambition.
What sets Rahul apart is how he thinks about the kitchen itself. He views it as both a creative studio and a performance space, where precision and artistry work together rather than in opposition. That philosophy translates directly into the kind of dining experiences he creates, ones that go beyond technical execution to leave a genuine impression on the guest.
His operational credentials are equally strong. He brings experience managing high-volume culinary events including those exceeding 25,000 covers, which is particularly relevant at a hotel with 95,781 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space and a reputation for setting benchmarks in banquet excellence.
In his new role, Rahul will focus on crafting elevated dining experiences across the hotel's portfolio, which includes Romano's, JW Café, BarQat, and AUTM, reinforcing JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's standing as a destination for luxury culinary experiences in the city.
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