Jom John Appointed Multi-Property Director of Sales for Marr

Courtyard by Marriott and Port Muziris, Kochi Airport, Appoint Jom John as Multi-Property Director of Sales

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 7, 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport and Port Muziris, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, have announced the appointment of Jom John as their new multi-property director of sales. John, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, brings a wealth of knowledge in driving sales strategies and fostering market growth. His impressive career spans renowned brands such as Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Welcoming him to the leadership team, Narayan Tharoor, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport and Port Muziris, stated, "With his proven expertise and vision, we are confident in Jom's ability to expand our market reach and achieve new milestones. His leadership will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our service standards and guest satisfaction.”

Expressing his excitement for the new role, Jom John shared, "I am honoured to step into this position and continue my journey with Marriott International. I look forward to leveraging my experience to strengthen our market position and create memorable experiences for our guests."

Jom's appointment marks a significant move toward further growth and success for both Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport and Port Muziris. His strategic insight will support the properties in achieving new goals and elevating the guest experience.

Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport

Strategically located near Cochin International Airport, Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport offers modern accommodations, vibrant surroundings, and exceptional hospitality. The hotel provides a variety of dining options, flexible event spaces, and convenient connectivity to key destinations.

Port Muziris by Marriott Airport Hotel Kochi

As Asia's first Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Port Muziris stands out for its artistic luxury and boutique ambiance, just steps away from Cochin International Airport. Guests can enjoy culinary delights at the acclaimed Lila's Kitchen and experience unmatched elegance, with unique event spaces catering to every need.

Chrome Asia Hospitality Appoints Chef Chirag Makwana as Corporate Executive Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on April 8, 2026

Strengthening its culinary leadership, Chrome Asia Hospitality has appointed Chef Chirag Makwana as Corporate Executive Chef. In his new role, he will oversee the culinary direction across key brands, including Late Checkout and Lyla BKC, while also spearheading new dining concepts set to launch in 2026.

Chef Chirag brings with him a globally influenced culinary perspective, rooted in bold simplicity and experiential dining. His appointment marks a significant step in evolving the group’s food narrative, aligning with its vision of creating experience-led hospitality formats.

At Late Checkout, a high-energy, cocktail-driven destination known for its inventive bar program and global influences, Chef Chirag introduces a refined Japanese-European culinary direction. His approach blends precision with bold flavours, crafting dishes that complement the bar experience while standing out as a key attraction on their own.

At Lyla BKC, his focus shifts towards a more relaxed, all-day dining format. Here, the menu is designed to offer comfort and refinement, creating dishes that encourage repeat visits while staying true to the brand’s identity. Across both venues, his philosophy centres on building menus that resonate with contemporary diners while maintaining distinct culinary voices.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Chef Chirag began his culinary journey in his mother’s kitchen before moving to Canada at the age of 18 for formal training. He graduated with honours in Culinary Management from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute and went on to work alongside renowned chefs such as Massimo Capra, Michael Bonacini, and Tony De Luca. He also holds the prestigious Red Seal Chef Certification.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Chef Chirag said that his approach to food focuses on clarity of flavour and intent, taking simple elements and elevating them to create something exciting. He highlighted that while Late Checkout explores a bold Japanese-European direction designed to complement the bar experience, Lyla BKC focuses on comfort-driven dishes that guests return to.

Commenting on the appointment, Co-Founder Pawan Shahri emphasised that a strong culinary voice is essential for building memorable dining experiences. He noted that Chef Chirag’s combination of technical expertise and creative instinct makes him well-suited to lead the next phase of growth for the group.

With this strategic appointment, Chrome Asia Hospitality continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering distinctive dining experiences where food, beverage, and ambience come together seamlessly under a unified creative vision.

About Chrome Asia Hospitality:

Founded in 2019 by Pawan Shahri and Nikita Shahri, Chrome Asia Hospitality is a full-scale hospitality company focused on building experience-driven restaurant concepts across India. The group’s portfolio includes popular dining destinations such as Late Checkout, Gigi Bombay, Lyla Bombay, EVE, Shy, and Donna Deli, reflecting a global-first approach to food, design, and culture.

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef, further strengthening its culinary leadership in Bengaluru.

With over 17 years of experience, Chef Balachandar brings a strong foundation built across global kitchens and fine-dining environments. Known for his intuitive understanding of flavours and operational expertise, he has consistently delivered dining experiences that balance creativity with precision.

Over the years, he has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Conrad Bengaluru, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, The Leela Palace Chennai, and InterContinental Dubai Festival City. His journey reflects both versatility in cuisine and the ability to lead high-performing kitchen teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Gaurav Sinha highlighted that Chef Balachandar brings a deep understanding of both the art and discipline of the kitchen. He noted that the chef’s ability to blend global influences with strong technique will further enhance the hotel’s culinary offerings.

Sharing his perspective, Chef Balachandar said that kitchens thrive on energy, collaboration, and constant evolution. He expressed his intent to build vibrant, ingredient-driven menus while creating dining experiences that guests can connect with.

In his new role, he will oversee culinary operations across the hotel, working closely with teams to shape menus, refine techniques, and elevate offerings across restaurants and banquet spaces.

Part of Marriott International, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru continues to position itself as a leading luxury destination, offering diverse dining experiences alongside premium hospitality for both business and leisure travellers.

Summit Hotels Appoints Shova Lama as PRO for Sikkim Operations

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shova Lama as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Sikkim, reinforcing its focus on strengthening regional engagement across the Northeast.

In her new role, Shova Lama will lead efforts to build stronger relationships with government departments and public institutions in the state. Her responsibilities include facilitating room bookings for official travel, coordinating hospitality arrangements for government-led events and conferences, and driving institutional business opportunities for the group.

Beyond government engagement, she will also work closely with local communities and organisations to position Summit’s properties as preferred venues for weddings, social gatherings, and private celebrations. This approach aligns with the brand’s broader strategy of deepening its presence in the regional events and social hospitality segment.

A key part of her role will involve supporting compliance and operational processes, including government registrations and empanelment requirements. Additionally, she will contribute to the company’s expansion plans by liaising with stakeholders across neighbouring states, identifying potential properties that can be integrated into the Summit portfolio through a lease model.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka highlighted the importance of the Northeast in the brand’s growth journey. He noted that Sikkim remains one of the company’s strongest operating regions and emphasised that strengthening ties with government bodies, local communities, and regional stakeholders is essential as the network continues to expand.

The appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is actively growing its footprint across the Himalayan and Northeast regions, focusing on destinations where tourism demand, institutional travel, and social events are witnessing steady growth.

With this move, the company aims to build stronger local connections while supporting its long-term expansion strategy across one of India’s most promising hospitality markets.

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Courtyard by Marriott and Port Muziris, Kochi Airport, Appoint Jom John as Multi-Property Director of Sales

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