Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Appoints Vikash Kumar as Assistan

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Appoints Vikash Kumar as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Hariharan U

Published on December 25, 2025

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty has announced the appointment of Vikash Kumar as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, further reinforcing the hotel’s focus on operational excellence and elevated guest experiences across dining and events.

In his new role, Vikash will oversee food and beverage operations, banquet performance and service delivery, supporting the hotel’s continued emphasis on consistency, quality and guest-focused innovation. With over a decade of experience across F&B service, banquet operations and large-scale event planning, he brings a strong blend of operational depth and people-led leadership.

Vikash began his hospitality journey in 2014 with Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Center and Courtyard by Marriott, where he developed a solid foundation in food and beverage service and guest engagement. Over the years, he progressed through several leadership roles, gaining hands-on experience in managing high-volume operations and complex event environments.

He joined the Hyatt family in September 2022 as Events Planning Manager at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, where he played a key role in executing high-profile events and strengthening banquet operations. He later moved to Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center as Banquet Manager and was promoted to Assistant Food & Beverage Manager in March 2025.

A graduate in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Vikash is known for his disciplined, collaborative approach and his commitment to building high-performing teams. His return to Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty reflects the hotel’s continued focus on nurturing internal talent and developing leaders aligned with Hyatt’s values of care, consistency and service excellence.

About Grand Hyatt

Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels bring travel dreams to life by celebrating the iconic in small details and magnificent moments. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef, further strengthening its culinary leadership in Bengaluru.

With over 17 years of experience, Chef Balachandar brings a strong foundation built across global kitchens and fine-dining environments. Known for his intuitive understanding of flavours and operational expertise, he has consistently delivered dining experiences that balance creativity with precision.

Over the years, he has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Conrad Bengaluru, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, The Leela Palace Chennai, and InterContinental Dubai Festival City. His journey reflects both versatility in cuisine and the ability to lead high-performing kitchen teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Gaurav Sinha highlighted that Chef Balachandar brings a deep understanding of both the art and discipline of the kitchen. He noted that the chef’s ability to blend global influences with strong technique will further enhance the hotel’s culinary offerings.

Sharing his perspective, Chef Balachandar said that kitchens thrive on energy, collaboration, and constant evolution. He expressed his intent to build vibrant, ingredient-driven menus while creating dining experiences that guests can connect with.

In his new role, he will oversee culinary operations across the hotel, working closely with teams to shape menus, refine techniques, and elevate offerings across restaurants and banquet spaces.

Part of Marriott International, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru continues to position itself as a leading luxury destination, offering diverse dining experiences alongside premium hospitality for both business and leisure travellers.

Summit Hotels Appoints Shova Lama as PRO for Sikkim Operations

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shova Lama as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Sikkim, reinforcing its focus on strengthening regional engagement across the Northeast.

In her new role, Shova Lama will lead efforts to build stronger relationships with government departments and public institutions in the state. Her responsibilities include facilitating room bookings for official travel, coordinating hospitality arrangements for government-led events and conferences, and driving institutional business opportunities for the group.

Beyond government engagement, she will also work closely with local communities and organisations to position Summit’s properties as preferred venues for weddings, social gatherings, and private celebrations. This approach aligns with the brand’s broader strategy of deepening its presence in the regional events and social hospitality segment.

A key part of her role will involve supporting compliance and operational processes, including government registrations and empanelment requirements. Additionally, she will contribute to the company’s expansion plans by liaising with stakeholders across neighbouring states, identifying potential properties that can be integrated into the Summit portfolio through a lease model.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka highlighted the importance of the Northeast in the brand’s growth journey. He noted that Sikkim remains one of the company’s strongest operating regions and emphasised that strengthening ties with government bodies, local communities, and regional stakeholders is essential as the network continues to expand.

The appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is actively growing its footprint across the Himalayan and Northeast regions, focusing on destinations where tourism demand, institutional travel, and social events are witnessing steady growth.

With this move, the company aims to build stronger local connections while supporting its long-term expansion strategy across one of India’s most promising hospitality markets.

Lenexis Foodworks Appoints Arvind R P as Chief Executive Officer

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

Lenexis Foodworks has announced the appointment of Arvind R P as its Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step in the company’s next phase of growth.

A leading player in India’s Desi Chinese QSR segment, Lenexis Foodworks operates a portfolio of brands including Chinese Wok, Big Bowl, and The Momo Co., with over 260 outlets across the country.

Arvind brings more than 25 years of cross-sector leadership experience spanning QSR, FMCG, beauty, fashion, and automotive sectors. Known for his strong P&L leadership and expertise in brand transformation, he has consistently driven digital-led growth and built high-performance teams.

Prior to joining Lenexis Foodworks, he served as Chief Business Officer (South) at McDonald's India, where he played a key role in accelerating business growth and strengthening brand strategy.

In his new role, Arvind will lead Lenexis Foodworks’ expansion strategy, focusing on scaling its portfolio brands, enhancing operational efficiency, and building a future-ready organisation. The company is currently targeting an ambitious milestone of 500 stores by 2028, while strengthening its leadership across Desi Chinese cuisine, bowl-format dining, and the rapidly growing momo category.

Commenting on the appointment, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal said, “We are delighted to welcome Arvind to Lenexis Foodworks at a pivotal stage in our journey. As we scale our brands and strengthen our presence across India, his deep experience in building consumer businesses, driving P&L growth, and creating digital-first organisations will be invaluable.”

Sharing his thoughts, Arvind R P said, “Lenexis Foodworks has built a strong foundation with a portfolio of distinctive brands and embodies the ambition of a new-age Indian food services platform. I am excited to join the team at this pivotal stage and help accelerate growth.”

With this leadership move, Lenexis Foodworks reinforces its vision of building one of India’s most distinctive and scalable QSR platforms, driven by innovation, operational excellence, and consumer-centric offerings

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