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


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.

Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Kimberly Fernandez as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With experience in media, communications, and hospitality marketing, she brings valuable knowledge to support the hotel’s efforts in strengthening brand presence and guest engagement.

In her new role, Kimberly will handle the hotel’s marketing, digital, communications, and public relations initiatives. Her focus will be on improving brand visibility while highlighting the property’s dining and wellness offerings. She will also work closely with teams across the hotel to create impactful campaigns, build media relationships, and share stories that reflect the unique experiences offered at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.

Kimberly’s professional journey includes working with well-known hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency Chennai, Novotel Ahmedabad, and Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley during its pre-opening phase. She has also gained experience outside the hospitality space with Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Care World TV. Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in media relations, brand communication, digital strategy, and event-led marketing.

As Marketing & Communications Manager, she will lead brand positioning, digital presence, content creation, media engagement, and strategic events. Her role will focus on creating meaningful connections with guests while strengthening Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s position as a preferred destination for stays, dining, and celebrations.

"I am excited to take on this role at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and look forward to building engaging campaigns that showcase the hotel’s signature experiences. My focus will be on strengthening our digital presence, amplifying our brand story, and deepening connections with guests and the community, while reflecting the care and hospitality that define Hyatt," said Kimberly Fernandez, Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on March 17, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has added a strong culinary voice to its kitchen leadership with the appointment of Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef. The move reinforces the hotel's position as one of Mumbai's most respected luxury dining destinations, known for its signature brunches, elevated banquet offerings, and refined guest experiences.

Rahul comes with a well-rounded and impressive career behind him. His previous stints include Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Hyatt Pune, and Sahara Star Hotel, giving him exposure to the kind of high-pressure, high-standard kitchen environments that luxury hospitality demands. His expertise spans Japanese, Oriental, Western, and Awadhi cuisines, a genuinely broad range that speaks to the versatility required in a hotel of JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's scale and ambition.

What sets Rahul apart is how he thinks about the kitchen itself. He views it as both a creative studio and a performance space, where precision and artistry work together rather than in opposition. That philosophy translates directly into the kind of dining experiences he creates, ones that go beyond technical execution to leave a genuine impression on the guest.

His operational credentials are equally strong. He brings experience managing high-volume culinary events including those exceeding 25,000 covers, which is particularly relevant at a hotel with 95,781 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space and a reputation for setting benchmarks in banquet excellence.

In his new role, Rahul will focus on crafting elevated dining experiences across the hotel's portfolio, which includes Romano's, JW Café, BarQat, and AUTM, reinforcing JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's standing as a destination for luxury culinary experiences in the city.

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