Culinary Excellence Embarks at The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru: Welcoming Chef Roberto Apa

Culinary Excellence Embarks at The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru: Welcoming Chef Roberto Apa

By Author

Published on November 3, 2023

Bengaluru, October 31, 2023 – The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, a beacon of luxury and culinary sophistication, has announced the appointment of Chef Roberto Apa as the new Executive Sous Chef. With a career spanning over a decade, Chef Roberto brings a wealth of experience and culinary flair to this esteemed property.

Chef Roberto's journey in the culinary world is illustrious, marked by his tenure with globally recognized brands such as Marriott International. Before joining The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, he honed his skills at Scalini Restaurant in Doha, where he served as the Executive Chef.

On his appointment, Chef Roberto expressed his commitment to culinary excellence. “My goal is to create memorable dining experiences that leave a lasting impression on our guests. The property's dedication to offering the best in class resonates with my approach to culinary art," he stated.

A graduate from IPSAR Lucio Petronio and ALMA of National Academy of Italian Cuisine, Chef Roberto combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for quality and innovation. His expertise in managing large kitchen operations without compromising on excellence makes him a valuable addition to the team.

Chef Roberto's culinary philosophy is deeply rooted in his heritage and experiences. “Each dish I create carries a piece of Italian culture, intertwined with family traditions and my global culinary experiences. I believe in reinventing these recipes through innovative techniques, ensuring each meal tells a story,” he remarked.

The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru eagerly anticipates the unique flavors and creative dishes Chef Roberto will introduce, confident that his appointment will further enhance their already distinguished culinary reputation.

About The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts:

Headquartered in Mumbai, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts represents the pinnacle of Indian luxury hospitality. With eleven award-winning properties across India, the brand is celebrated for its unique blend of art, culture, and cuisine in each location. Recognized globally for its service and excellence, The Leela has been voted the World’s Best Hotel Brand in consecutive years by Travel + Leisure, USA. The brand continues to expand its presence with upcoming projects, including a leisure resort in Ashtamudi, Kerala. As a member of the Global Hotel Alliance and in marketing alliance with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, The Leela continues to set benchmarks in luxury hospitality, offering experiences that encapsulate the rich heritage and ethos of India.


ibis and ibis Styles India Appoint Arish Mehta as Portfolio Director of Revenue Management

ibis and ibis Styles India Appoint Arish Mehta as Portfolio Director of Revenue Management

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

ibis and ibis Styles hotels in India have announced the appointment of Arish Mehta as Portfolio Director of Revenue Management, effective December 2025. Based in New Delhi, Arish will lead the revenue management strategy across the ibis and ibis Styles portfolio in India, with a mandate to drive sustainable growth, enhance commercial performance, and strengthen collaboration across sales, operations, and digital teams.

Arish brings over 13 years of extensive experience with Accor, during which he has played a key role in shaping revenue and commercial strategies across rooms, food and beverage, and MICE segments. In his most recent role as Director of Revenue Management at a flagship Accor hotel in Mumbai, he oversaw the total revenue strategy for a 268-room property with four F&B outlets and large banquet facilities. Under his leadership, the hotel achieved a 29 percent year-on-year growth in room revenue, along with notable improvements in occupancy, average daily rate, and market share in a highly competitive premium segment.

Previously, as Cluster Revenue Manager, Arish managed revenue strategies for a portfolio of ibis hotels across major Indian cities. In this role, he consistently improved hotel performance and market rankings through disciplined pricing strategies, robust demand analysis, and effective inventory management. He also played an active role in mentoring junior revenue managers and contributing to Accor’s internal talent development initiatives.

Commenting on the appointment, Animesh Kumar, Commercial Head – ibis and ibis Styles India, said that as the ibis and ibis Styles network continues to expand across the country, strong portfolio-level revenue leadership is essential. He added that Arish’s deep understanding of the brands and markets, combined with his analytical strength and collaborative approach, makes him a valuable addition to the leadership team.

In his new role, Arish will focus on unlocking synergies across the ibis and ibis Styles brands, strengthening total revenue performance, and implementing a consistent, data-led revenue management approach across all markets.

Sharing his thoughts, Arish Mehta said he is excited to take on the portfolio role and contribute to the continued growth of ibis and ibis Styles in India. He noted that sustainable revenue performance comes from aligning data, systems, and people with a clear commercial vision, and he looks forward to building long-term impact across the portfolio in an evolving hospitality landscape.

With this appointment, ibis and ibis Styles India reaffirm their commitment to robust commercial leadership and long-term value creation across their growing hotel portfolio.


MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts Strengthens Sales Leadership with Three Key Appointments

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts Strengthens Sales Leadership with Three Key Appointments

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts has announced a significant strengthening of its sales leadership with the appointment of three seasoned hospitality professionals as Deputy General Managers – Sales & Marketing. These strategic appointments underline the brand’s continued focus on market expansion, revenue growth, and relationship-driven leadership across key regions in India.

Akhil Tanwar joins as Deputy General Manager – Sales & Marketing at the MAYFAIR Regional Office North, Delhi. With over 22 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Tanwar brings deep expertise in sales strategy, corporate partnerships, and destination-led business development. His career spans leading hospitality brands including Clarion, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jaypee Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, IHCL (Taj Hotels), and most recently Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre, where he served as Associate Director of Sales.

Ashwani Kumar, also appointed as Deputy General Manager – Sales & Marketing at the MAYFAIR Regional Office North, Delhi, brings 17 years of diverse experience across hospitality, events, and integrated sales platforms. He began his career with The Oberoi, New Delhi in Food & Beverage Events and has since worked with Weddingz.in, Ramada by Wyndham Neemrana, and The Lalit Group of Hotels, Delhi, where he last held the position of Associate Head of Sales.

Madhuri Nilesh Dixit takes on the role of Deputy General Manager – Sales & Marketing for the MAYFAIR West Region, based in Mumbai. With over 16 years of rich hospitality experience, Ms. Dixit is known for her strong capabilities in sales strategy, business development, and brand positioning. Her professional journey includes leadership roles at JW Marriott Goa, Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, Lonavala, and Fairmont Jaipur. She is widely recognized for her strategic acumen and relationship-focused leadership style that enhances brand visibility across key markets.

Together, these appointments mark an important milestone in MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to building a future-ready sales organization. The leadership team is expected to play a pivotal role in driving sustained growth, deeper market penetration, and long-term partnerships for the brand.

MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts warmly welcomes Akhil Tanwar, Ashwani Kumar, and Madhuri Nilesh Dixit and looks forward to their contributions in advancing the group’s growth and success.


Machan Resorts Appoints Ankit Kotriwal as Head of Finance

Machan Resorts Appoints Ankit Kotriwal as Head of Finance

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

Machan Resorts has announced the appointment of Ankit Kotriwal as Head of Finance, based at the company’s Mumbai Head Office. This strategic leadership addition comes as the brand continues to strengthen its financial governance and support its long-term growth and sustainability objectives.

A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Ankit brings over 15 years of extensive experience across leading global consulting and corporate organisations. His professional journey includes associations with reputed firms such as Ernst & Young and KPMG, where he built strong expertise in financial controls, audits, compliance, risk management, and strategic financial planning.

image

With exposure spanning India, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East, Ankit has developed a deep understanding of multinational financial systems, regulatory frameworks, reporting standards, and scalable business operations. His global perspective is expected to further enhance Machan Resorts’ financial discipline and operational efficiency.

In his new role, Ankit will be responsible for driving the overall financial strategy of Machan Resorts, strengthening internal controls, optimising operational efficiencies, and supporting the organisation’s expansion and sustainability roadmap.

Commenting on the appointment, Sanat Hooja, Partner, Machan Resorts, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ankit to the leadership team. His depth of experience across global consulting firms and corporates, coupled with his strong understanding of financial systems and controls, will play a crucial role as we continue to strengthen our internal processes and support the company’s growth journey.”

Sharing his thoughts, Ankit Kotriwal said, “I am excited to join Machan Resorts at this important phase of its growth. The brand’s strong focus on sustainability and experiential hospitality resonates deeply with me. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to build robust financial frameworks that support long-term value creation.”

Known for his structured and detail-oriented approach, Ankit also values continuous learning. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, reading, writing, and programming, reflecting a balanced blend of analytical thinking and creativity. He will report directly to the Leadership Team.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.