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.


Sandhya Johari Balances Hospitality Marketing Excellence with Motherhood at The Orchid Hotel Mumbai

Sandhya Johari Balances Hospitality Marketing Excellence with Motherhood at The Orchid Hotel Mumbai

By Hariharan U

Published on May 10, 2026

In the fast-evolving world of hospitality marketing, where guest experiences are shaped as carefully as the destinations themselves, Sandhya Johari has carved a distinctive space through her thoughtful blend of strategy, storytelling, and consumer insight.

As the Marketing Manager at The Orchid Hotel Mumbai, Sandhya plays an important role in strengthening the hotel’s brand presence across multiple touchpoints. From integrated marketing campaigns and digital storytelling to media relations, strategic collaborations, and experiential initiatives, her work contributes significantly to the hotel’s positioning within Mumbai’s luxury hospitality landscape.

Recognised for her collaborative leadership style and sharp understanding of evolving consumer behaviour, Sandhya works closely with teams across departments to ensure that every campaign reflects the hotel’s core values of sustainability, warmth, and refined hospitality. Her ability to balance creative storytelling with strategic execution has helped reinforce The Orchid Hotel’s identity as one of the city’s recognised hospitality destinations.

With more than a decade of experience across hospitality, dining, and lifestyle brands, Sandhya’s professional journey reflects versatility and a strong understanding of audience engagement. Before joining The Orchid Hotel, she contributed to communication strategies for brands such as Ribbons & Balloons and Yellow Banana Food Company’s popular dining concepts PopTates and Urban Tadka. Her experience with globally recognised luxury dining brands Hakkasan and Yauatcha under KA Hospitality further deepened her expertise in premium brand positioning and guest experiences.

Earlier in her career, her association with Mirah Hospitality across Citrus Hotels and Manchester United Café Bar shaped her perspective on experiential branding and lifestyle-driven consumer engagement. Over the years, she has consistently led impactful PR campaigns, strategic collaborations, and culturally relevant brand narratives that resonate strongly with modern audiences.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sandhya is also a devoted mother, balancing the demands of a fast-paced hospitality career alongside family life with remarkable grace. Her journey reflects the modern working woman who leads with both ambition and empathy, creating meaningful experiences professionally while nurturing relationships personally.

This Mother’s Day, Sandhya Johari stands as an inspiring example of leadership, resilience, and creativity, continuing to shape brands, experiences, and relationships with the same warmth and thoughtfulness that define her approach to life and work.


Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Appoints Saurav Datta as Director of Sales & Marketing

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Appoints Saurav Datta as Director of Sales & Marketing

By Hariharan U

Published on May 8, 2026

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty has announced the appointment of Saurav Datta as Director of Sales & Marketing, strengthening the hotel’s leadership team as it continues to expand its market presence.

Bringing over 23 years of experience across luxury and upper-upscale hospitality brands, Saurav combines operational expertise with strong commercial acumen. His professional journey includes more than a decade in hotel operations, followed by 13 years in sales and marketing leadership roles.

Saurav began his Hyatt journey at Grand Hyatt Mumbai in 2004 within Food & Beverage operations before transitioning into sales and marketing. Over the years, he has held leadership roles across prominent hospitality brands including Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Le Méridien Hyderabad, and Le Méridien Nagpur, contributing to revenue growth and market expansion initiatives.

He rejoined Hyatt in 2023 at Hyatt Regency Chennai, where he played a significant role in shaping commercial strategy while also supporting Hyatt Pune as Acting General Manager.

In his new role at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, Saurav will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing strategy with a focus on driving revenue growth across key segments and strengthening the property’s positioning within the competitive luxury hospitality landscape.

Speaking on his appointment, Saurav Datta said, “I look forward to working with the team to further strengthen the hotel’s market presence while delivering meaningful guest experiences that define the Grand Hyatt brand.”

Known for his collaborative leadership style and strategic approach, Saurav has consistently delivered strong business performance while building high-performing teams across multiple hospitality markets.

His appointment reflects Hyatt’s continued focus on strengthening leadership capabilities and driving long-term growth across key destinations in India.


Hyatt Regency Pune Appoints Ray Jonathan Dopaishi as Director of Finance

Hyatt Regency Pune Appoints Ray Jonathan Dopaishi as Director of Finance

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 8, 2026

Hyatt Regency Pune has welcomed Ray Jonathan Dopaishi as its new Director of Finance. With more than 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ray brings strong expertise in financial strategy, compliance, operational excellence, and business performance.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with globally recognised hospitality brands including Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Accor. Known for his focused and results-driven approach, Ray has built a reputation for maintaining high standards in financial management while supporting long-term business growth.

He also brings valuable experience in improving operational processes, strengthening financial controls, and developing high-performing teams. His leadership style is aligned with Hyatt’s values and vision, further supporting the hotel’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for both guests and colleagues.

At Hyatt Regency Pune, Ray will lead the finance function with a focus on enhancing financial performance, ensuring compliance, and contributing to the property’s continued growth journey.

The hotel management believes his industry expertise and strategic approach will play an important role in strengthening operational efficiency and supporting the brand’s future goals.

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