From Uttarakhand, India to New York: Yogesh Singh Rawat’s Inspiring Culinary Leadership Journey

From Uttarakhand, India to New York: Yogesh Singh Rawat’s Inspiring Culinary Leadership Journey

By Author

Published on June 30, 2025

In the ever-evolving world of hospitality, stories of perseverance, global ambition, and operational excellence are what shape the next generation of hoteliers. One such remarkable story is that of Yogesh Singh Rawat, whose journey from the tranquil valleys of Uttarakhand, India, to the bustling fine dining scene of New York City stands as a powerful testament to hard work, adaptability, and leadership.

Laying the Foundation: A Journey Rooted in Indian Hospitality

Yogesh began his hospitality journey in India, gaining rich and diverse experience across some of the country’s most prestigious hotel brands. His formative years with ITC Hotels, Marriott International (Westin Hotels & Resorts), and Avasa Hotel, Hyderabad, helped him master the art of blending operational precision with authentic guest experiences.

From managing luxury Food & Beverage operations to leading large-scale banquets for corporate conferences, grand weddings, and social galas, Yogesh showcased an innate ability to handle both scale and personalization.

His commitment to continuous learning and professional development became evident early in his career. Some of his notable certifications include:

  • Operations Excellence Programme - Z.E.S.T from ITC-HMI, Manesar — focusing on operational efficiency and leadership excellence.

  • “Deconstructing Bartending – The Ultimate Bartending Certification” conducted at ITC Sheraton, refining his expertise in mixology and beverage service.

  • Remy Martin – Heart of Cognac Certification from Avasa Hotel, Hyderabad, which deepened his understanding of premium beverage offerings and service delivery.

These certifications didn’t just enhance his technical knowledge—they instilled in him the values of guest personalization, service discipline, and attention to detail, which now define his management style.

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The Global Leap: Bringing Indian Hospitality to New York

Taking a bold step, Yogesh transitioned from India’s hotel sector to the international hospitality landscape. Today, he serves as General Manager at the renowned Fine Indian Dining Group in New York City, overseeing some of the city's most celebrated Indian restaurants. (To know more about the Fine Indian Dining Group, visit: www.fineindiandining.com)

In his leadership role, Yogesh manages a diverse portfolio that includes restaurant operations, banquets, Food & Beverage conferences, incentive programs, and exclusive outdoor catering events across the United States.

His ability to blend Indian hospitality values with international service standards has been a game-changer for the group. He’s known for fostering cross-functional teams, driving revenue growth, and delivering exceptional guest satisfaction, making him a respected leader among both his peers and clientele.

Leading with Vision and Adaptability

What truly sets Yogesh apart is his adaptive leadership style. Known for maintaining calm and composure even under high-pressure situations, he leads with a solutions-driven mindset and proactive planning approach.

Whether it’s implementing innovative dining concepts, optimizing upselling strategies, or elevating service SOPs, Yogesh ensures every operational decision aligns with the group’s core values: guest delight and profitability.

His expertise also extends to team mentoring, where he invests in training programs and performance development, ensuring that every team member evolves in line with global hospitality standards.

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Looking Ahead: Elevating Indian Cuisine on the Global Stage

With Indian cuisine gaining heightened recognition worldwide, Yogesh is on a mission to redefine the fine dining experience for Indian food lovers abroad. His vision is to introduce innovative F&B concepts that honor India’s culinary heritage while staying relevant to international diners.

For the thousands of young hospitality professionals across India dreaming of making their mark globally, Yogesh Singh Rawat’s journey stands as an inspirational blueprint. His story is about roots, resilience, and reaching for the stars.

At Hospitalitynews, we proudly celebrate leaders like Yogesh—individuals who embody the true spirit of hospitality through culture, leadership, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. (Connect with Yogesh Singh Rawat on LinkedIn: CLICK HERE


Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Jammu Vijaypur Appoints Ashutosh Jayee as General Manager

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Jammu Vijaypur Appoints Ashutosh Jayee as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 19, 2025

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Jammu Vijaypur has announced the appointment of Ashutosh Jayee as its general manager. In his new role, Jayee will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s staff and operations, along with managing sales and marketing to strengthen the hotel’s overall performance.

Jayee previously served as the head of sales and marketing at Radisson Blu Jammu, where he contributed to driving commercial strategies and enhancing business development.

“Ashutosh Jayee is a talented and experienced hospitality professional and will play a key role in ensuring that the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Jammu Vijaypur continues providing guests with the same high-quality service and exceptional value that it has become known for in the community,” said Subash Singh Jamwal, owner of the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Jammu Vijaypur.

Jayee is a native of Jammu and a 2003 graduate of Thames Valley University in Cambridge, UK, where he received a B.A. (Hons) in Hospitality Management. He later completed his master’s in business administration and master’s in tourism management in 2010 and 2012 respectively.


Ramada by Wyndham Alleppey Appoints Sreejith Kottla as General Manager

Ramada by Wyndham Alleppey Appoints Sreejith Kottla as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 19, 2025

Ramada by Wyndham, Alleppey at Nehru Trophy Finishing Point, Punnamada, Alappuzha has announced the appointment of Sreejith Kottla as its general manager. In his new role, Kottla will be responsible for overseeing the hotel operations, ensuring guest satisfaction, maximizing revenue, managing staff and maintaining overall quality and financial performance. He will also focus on promoting Alleppey as a premier MICE destination.

Kottla previously served as the general manager for Joys Hotels & Resorts, a hotel group based in Thrissur, Kerala, where he managed hotel operations and sales. His experience in leadership, guest servicing and operational efficiency has consistently contributed to improved hotel performance and enhanced guest engagement.

“Kottla is a talented and experienced hospitality professional and will play a key role in ensuring that the Ramada By Wyndham continues providing guests with the same high-quality service and exceptional value that it has become known for in the Alleppey community,” said Reji Cheriyan, chairman of the Ramada By Wyndham, Alleppey.

Kottla is a native of Payyanur, Kerala, and a graduate of Srinivas College of Hotel Management in Mangalore, Karnataka, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in hotel management. He also holds an MBA from Xavier Institute of Management, Mumbai.


Hyatt Regency Chennai Appoints Anirudhya Basu as Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Chennai Appoints Anirudhya Basu as Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 19, 2025

Hyatt Regency, Chennai has announced the appointment of Anirudhya Basu as its director of food and beverage. A seasoned hospitality leader with over 17 years of experience across India’s finest luxury hotels, Basu brings extensive operational expertise, creative vision and a strong passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.

In his new role, Basu will spearhead all food and beverage operations across the hotel, including its restaurants, bars, banquets, in-room dining and culinary events. He will focus on strengthening the hotel’s dining identity, introducing innovative gastronomic concepts and ensuring that every guest experience reflects Hyatt’s warm hospitality and world-class excellence.

Basu’s career spans some of the country’s most prestigious hotel brands, where he has excelled in both operational precision and creative leadership. Most recently, he served as the multi-property director of food and beverage at Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre and Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad. In this role, he led multiple F&B outlets and large-scale banqueting operations, with his strategic initiatives significantly contributing to enhanced profitability and guest satisfaction.

Before joining Marriott, Basu held key leadership positions at Hilton Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, and Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces. His wide-ranging experience includes managing multi-outlet operations, high-volume banquets and premium dining concepts, and he has consistently set new standards in service quality and culinary excellence.

A graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata, Basu is known for his forward-thinking leadership style, team mentorship and his ability to blend innovation with hospitality in every project he leads.

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