Chef Giuseppe "Pino" Lavarra Appointed as New Culinary Director at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

Chef Giuseppe "Pino" Lavarra Appointed as New Culinary Director at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

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.

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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."

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.


Welcomhotel Guntur Welcomes Ravi Kant Sharma as Its New Food and Beverage Manager

Welcomhotel Guntur Welcomes Ravi Kant Sharma as Its New Food and Beverage Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 4, 2025

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur has announced the appointment of Ravi Kant Sharma as its Food and Beverage Manager. Known for his hands-on leadership and experience in luxury hospitality, he brings nearly nine years of expertise shaped across renowned hotel brands including The Oberoi Group and ITC Hotels.

Before taking on this new role, he served as Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at ITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Agra, where he handled a wide range of operational responsibilities, worked closely with the leadership team to strengthen service standards and departmental performance, and contributed to enhancing guest-focused F&B operations.

With his strong skill set, industry knowledge, and commitment to delivering exceptional service, he is set to enhance the dining experience at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur and continue the brand’s focus on thoughtful hospitality.


The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur Appoints Arjun Belliappa as General Manager

The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur Appoints Arjun Belliappa as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 3, 2025

The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur has announced the appointment of Mr. Arjun Belliappa as its new General Manager. With more than two decades of diverse hospitality experience, he is known for elevating guest satisfaction, improving operational efficiency, and driving strong business growth.

Mr. Belliappa began his career as a Hotel Operational Management Trainee with JW Marriott, Juhu, and later worked at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai. His career grew further during his seven-year journey with The Oberoi Group, where he contributed to operations at The Oberoi Mumbai, Trident Nariman Point, and Trident Gurgaon, eventually becoming Assistant Front Office Manager.

Over the years, he has held senior leadership roles with Park Hyatt Hyderabad, Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru, Mantri Square Mall, Lemon Tree Premier, Sunbird Trust, and Betta Living Resorts. These roles have given him valuable experience across luxury hotels, large-scale operations, and mission-driven hospitality projects.

Most recently, Mr. Belliappa served as General Manager at Hotel Lakend, Udaipur. His strong understanding of the local market helped him enhance service quality and overall business performance.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Mr. Arjun Belliappa said, “It is an honour to join The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur, a landmark property that captures the splendour of Rajasthan and a bygone era. I look forward to working with the team to create memorable guest experiences that uphold the brand’s legacy of warmth, luxury, and inclusion.”

Welcoming him to the group, Mr. Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said, “We are delighted to have Mr. Arjun Belliappa join The LaLiT family. His leadership, expertise, and dedication to excellence will further strengthen our commitment to offering unparalleled guest experiences at The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur.”

With this appointment, The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur continues its commitment to delivering refined hospitality rooted in heritage, warmth, and exceptional service.


TREVOC Group Strengthens Leadership with Appointment of Aman Bhasin as AVP – Sales

TREVOC Group Strengthens Leadership with Appointment of Aman Bhasin as AVP – Sales

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 3, 2025

TREVOC Group has strengthened its leadership team by appointing Aman Bhasin as Assistant Vice President – Sales as the brand continues to expand its premium real estate footprint in Gurugram. Aman brings over a decade of experience working with leading developers such as Whiteland Corporation, M3M India Pvt. Ltd. and Omaxe Ltd., where he built a strong track record in driving revenue growth and leading high-performing sales teams.

Speaking about the appointment, Gurpal Singh Chawla, Managing Director, TREVOC Group, said, “Aman’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for TREVOC as we scale our premium footprint across Gurugram. His deep market understanding, strategic sales mindset, and proven ability to build high-performance teams make him a valuable addition to our leadership.”

Sharing his excitement about joining the organisation, Aman Bhasin said, “TREVOC’s ambition to lead Gurugram’s next era of premium real estate development is fully aligned with my approach to delivering excellence and long-term value.”

With this appointment, TREVOC Group continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering high-quality and future-ready developments across Gurugram.

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