Flames of Tradition: Chef Vinod Kumar’s Mastery Over Tandoor and Timeless Taste

Flames of Tradition: Chef Vinod Kumar’s Mastery Over Tandoor and Timeless Taste

By Author

Published on June 20, 2025

In an age when molecular gastronomy dazzles and precision-driven plating steals the limelight, Chef Vinod Kumar stands rooted like a flame—steady, fierce, and quietly illuminating a legacy of flavor. Revered for his soulful connection with the tandoor, Chef Vinod has become a name synonymous with tradition, mastery, and the kind of cooking that doesn’t just please the palate but stirs the soul.

With a culinary journey that began in 1984, Chef Vinod’s path was shaped under the guidance of his late mentor, Chef Madan Lal Jaiswal, who imparted not just skills but a philosophy: “In the tandoor, you don’t just cook—you listen. Every crackle tells a story.” From his early days at Nirula’s in New Delhi to helming award-winning kitchens like ChaanDi at the Hilton Jaipur, and currently being a key figure in the Fine Indian Dining Group, Chef Vinod’s rise has been marked by excellence, authenticity, and accolades including multiple Times Food Awards for “Best Indian Restaurant.”

Internationally, his culinary prowess has represented India at prestigious events from Paris to Tokyo to Trinidad, yet he continues to draw inspiration from the fire-kissed ovens of home. The tandoor, for him, isn’t merely a cooking tool—it’s a storyteller, a vessel of memory, and a crucible of transformation. Whether it’s the gentle charring of Seekh Kebabs or the bold flavor of Smoked Lamb Chops, every dish that passes through his tandoor carries both heritage and innovation.

Among his signature dishes is the majestic Raan-e-Sikandar, a showpiece that embodies his culinary ethos—simple ingredients treated with respect, technique rooted in legacy, and flavors allowed to speak without interference. A baby lamb leg is marinated overnight in yogurt, rum, ginger, garlic, and warm spices before being slow-roasted and finished in a clay oven, then served with mint chutney, lemon wedges, and naan. It’s not merely a recipe—it’s a ritual.

Raan-e-Sikandar by Chef Vinod Kumar

Ingredients

  • Baby lamb leg – 1
  • Salt – to taste
  • Red chili powder – 20 g
  • Ginger-garlic paste – 30 g
  • Shahi jeera (black cumin) – 5 g
  • Malt vinegar – 100 ml
  • Rum – 60 ml
  • Bay leaves – 1
  • Cinnamon stick – 1
  • Coriander roots – 3 to 4
  • Yogurt – 200 g

Method

  1. Clean and pat dry the lamb leg. Prick all over with a fork or make shallow cuts.
  2. Rub with salt and malt vinegar. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  3. Mix ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, salt, and rum into a thick paste.
  4. Coat the lamb well with the paste. Cover and marinate in the fridge overnight (at least 8 hours).
  5. Preheat the oven to 250–300°C.
  6. Place the lamb in a tray and cover with silver foil.
  7. Roast for 2.5 to 3 hours, basting occasionally with its juices.
  8. Cool the lamb slightly, then roast it in a clay oven pot for 15 to 20 minutes.
  9. Rest the meat, then slice and serve hot with mint chutney, sliced onion, lemon wedge, and naan.

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Chef Vinod believes in restraint over excess, soul over spectacle. He seasons his tandoor with mustard oil and charcoal, not for show, but to deepen flavor. He warns against over-marinating meats, stressing that a 6–8 hour soak is perfect for tender texture and vivid taste. His techniques—like finishing dishes with dhungar, a touch of burning charcoal and ghee—don’t just add flavor; they honor generations of culinary wisdom.

“Every time I open the tandoor lid,” he says, “I open a door to my roots.” And for those lucky enough to taste his food, that door opens wide into a world of warmth, heritage, and unforgettable flavor.


Fairfield by Marriott Hyderabad Appoints Chef Jogarao Pujari as Executive Chef

Fairfield by Marriott Hyderabad Appoints Chef Jogarao Pujari as Executive Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on November 14, 2026

Fairfield by Marriott Hyderabad has appointed Chef Jogarao Pujari as its new Executive Chef, bringing an experienced culinary professional with over 18 years of industry experience to lead its food and beverage operations.

In his new role, Chef Jogarao will oversee culinary operations across the hotel's food and beverage outlets, with responsibilities spanning menu planning and development, new culinary concepts, food quality and presentation. He will also lead and mentor the kitchen team while focusing on operational efficiency and guest dining experiences.

His career includes associations with several hospitality brands, including Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam, Radisson Blu Plaza Hyderabad, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and HICC, The Raintree Hotels Chennai, and Hotel Marine Plaza Mumbai.

He also brings international experience from a four-year association with Costa Cruise Lines, Italy, where he gained exposure to cruise culinary operations. In the corporate food service segment, he has worked with Sodexo India Services, most recently serving as Executive Chef for its Deloitte account in Hyderabad.

A specialist in banquet operations and large-scale catering, Chef Jogarao has managed events serving up to 100,000 guests, including major corporate engagements and prestigious occasions. His experience across diverse cuisines and high-volume food service environments adds to his operational and culinary expertise.

Beyond professional kitchens, Chef Jogarao is also familiar to Telugu-speaking audiences through his television appearances. He has hosted more than 600 live cooking shows on ETV Abhiruchi, sharing his culinary knowledge and passion for non-vegetarian cuisine with viewers across the Telugu-speaking states.

His appointment brings together experience in hotel kitchens, cruise operations, corporate catering and television, as he takes charge of the culinary function at Fairfield by Marriott Hyderabad.

About Fairfield by Marriott Hyderabad

Fairfield by Marriott Hyderabad offers contemporary accommodation and hospitality services for business travellers, with a focus on comfortable stays, thoughtful amenities and convenient dining options. The property follows the Fairfield brand's approach to simplicity, comfort and welcoming service.


Pramod Kumar Joins Anya Hotel as Housekeeping Manager

Pramod Kumar Joins Anya Hotel as Housekeeping Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on November 13, 2026

Anya Hotel has appointed Pramod Kumar as its new Housekeeping Manager, strengthening the hotel's housekeeping leadership with an experienced hospitality professional. Kumar joined the property on November 11, 2026, bringing 19 years of experience in housekeeping operations across reputed hotel brands.

His professional experience includes associations with Radisson, Marriott, Hilton, ITC Hotels, The Park Hotels and Westin. Most recently, he was associated with Radisson Individuals in Gopalpur, Odisha.

Over the course of his career, Kumar has developed expertise in housekeeping operations management, budgeting, cost control, quality assurance, guest satisfaction, team leadership and departmental coordination. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing housekeeping operations and maintaining the hotel's standards of cleanliness, service quality and guest comfort.

Kumar also brings strong communication, problem-solving, teamwork and time-management skills to the position. His approach combines operational efficiency with a focus on maintaining quality and working collaboratively with colleagues across departments.

Outside work, he enjoys listening to music, practising yoga and swimming. His personal philosophy is summed up in a simple belief: “Work is worship.”

With his experience across multiple hospitality brands and a background in managing housekeeping functions, Kumar's appointment adds to Anya Hotel's focus on operational consistency and guest satisfaction.


Priyanka Gandhi Appointed Director of Guest Experiences at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

Priyanka Gandhi Appointed Director of Guest Experiences at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 13, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has appointed Priyanka Gandhi as Director of Guest Experiences, strengthening its focus on personalised service, guest satisfaction, and associate development.

With over two decades of experience across hospitality, aviation, food service, and education, Priyanka brings a strong understanding of customer experience, service culture, and people development. Throughout her career, she has focused on improving service standards and helping teams create meaningful interactions with guests.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee key areas such as personalisation, service excellence, service recovery, relationship building, and associate development. She will also lead learning and performance initiatives to maintain consistency across the guest journey while supporting the hotel's wider business objectives.

Before joining JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Priyanka held leadership positions across customer experience, learning, quality, and training at several organisations, including Foodlink F&B Holdings, Artium Academy, Air India, Go First, The St. Regis Mumbai, Jet Airways, and Kingfisher Airlines.

She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, with expertise in instructional design, quality assurance, service audits, and process improvement. Her experience across different service sectors adds to her understanding of guest expectations and team performance.

Commenting on her appointment, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Every guest interaction is an opportunity to create a connection that goes beyond the service itself. I believe exceptional experiences begin with empowered people who have the right skills, mindset, and confidence to make a difference. I look forward to working with the team at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar to build on its strong culture of service and create experiences that guests remember long after their stay."

Priyanka's appointment further strengthens JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's commitment to delivering thoughtful, personalised, and consistent guest experiences.

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