ITC Grand Chola Elevates Chef Nikhil Nagpal as Executive Chef

ITC Grand Chola Elevates Chef Nikhil Nagpal as Executive Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 12, 2026

 ITC Grand Chola has announced the elevation of Chef Nikhil Nagpal as its new Executive Chef. The luxury property, known as one of India’s largest hotels with more than 11 food and beverage brands and iconic banquet venues, has chosen a leader who has been part of its journey from the very beginning.

Chef Nikhil was a member of the hotel’s opening team and has grown within the ITC Hotels ecosystem over the years. A homegrown talent, he began his journey at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal, and later completed his professional training at the Welcomgroup Management Institute, the group’s in-house management training division. His career reflects ITC Hotels’ strong culture of developing talent and building leaders from within.

Since the inception of ITC Grand Chola, Chef Nikhil has been closely involved in shaping its wide-ranging culinary experiences. From managing large-format banquets to contributing to award-winning signature restaurants, he has supported several concepts and innovations that have defined the hotel’s food and beverage offerings. His creative direction has also played a major role in the growth of Avartana, ITC Hotels celebrated progressive Southern Indian restaurant known for its balance of authenticity, artistry, and modern technique.

As Executive Chef, he will continue to lead Avartana’s culinary direction while taking charge of all restaurant and banqueting operations at the hotel. His focus will remain on elevating guest experiences through thoughtful innovation, precision, and sustainable practices in line with ITC Hotels’ vision of responsible luxury.

Commenting on the elevation, Mr. Shaariq Akhtar, General Manager, ITC Grand Chola, said: “Chef Nikhil’s journey at ITC Grand Chola is a true example of leadership built from the ground up. Having been part of the opening team, he brings unmatched depth, creativity, and balance to this role. As the brand custodian of Avartana and a trusted leader in our culinary operations, he is ideally placed to guide our teams and take our food and beverage ambitions to the next level. We have exciting new F&B concepts on the horizon and we look forward to his continued contributions in this new chapter.”

On his new appointment, Chef Nikhil Nagpal said: “Being part of ITC Grand Chola since day one has been an incredibly rewarding journey. The hotel represents scale, diversity, and excellence, and I look forward to working with our talented teams to further strengthen our culinary offerings, while continuing to build on the legacy and innovation that Avartana stands for.”

With one of India’s largest luxury banqueting facilities and a strong portfolio of acclaimed dining destinations, ITC Grand Chola continues to raise the bar in the hospitality space. Chef Nikhil Nagpal’s elevation further highlights the brand’s long-standing commitment to nurturing internal talent and strengthening its culinary leadership for the future.


Bharti Family Office Appoints Rohan Pewekar as CEO of Hospitality Arm

Bharti Family Office Appoints Rohan Pewekar as CEO of Hospitality Arm

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Bharti family office’s hospitality and dining arm has announced the appointment of Rohan Pewekar as its Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he will lead the strategy and overall operations of the group’s restaurant business, which includes well-known global brands such as PizzaExpress, Chili’s, P.F. Chang’s, and Olive Garden.

Rohan will focus on strengthening the presence of these brands in India, driving expansion, improving guest experience, and building strong teams to support the next stage of growth.

He brings close to two decades of experience across strategy, finance, and operations in consumer-focused businesses. Most recently, he served as Managing Director, Pizza Hut – Indian Subcontinent at Yum! Brands, where he led operations and expansion across the region. During his time there, he also worked as Chief Strategy and Finance Officer for Pizza Hut India, contributing to business growth, improving performance, and expanding new channels.

Earlier in his career, Rohan worked with Samsung Electronics and Accenture, gaining experience in strategy, transformation, and operations.

He has completed his management education from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, adding a strong academic base to his industry experience.

Commenting on the appointment, Ramit Bharti Mittal, Lead promoter of the hospitality and dining vertical, at the Bharti family office, said,

“The dining and restaurant segment is evolving rapidly, with consumers increasingly seeking differentiated and premium experiences, creating significant opportunities for growth. Rohan brings a strong blend of strategic insight into consumer businesses and deep operational experience. We believe he is well placed to lead our next phase of growth as we expand our portfolio of global restaurant brands and continue building a high-quality dining platform in India.”

Speaking on his appointment, Rohan Pewekar said,

“The group has built a strong portfolio of globally recognized brands, and I look forward to partnering closely with the teams to further strengthen those, deliver exceptional guest experiences, and continue building a world-class restaurant business across the country.”


Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Shreyy Puurii as Head Chef

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Shreyy Puurii as Head Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has announced the appointment of Shreyy Puurii as its new Head Chef, strengthening its culinary team with a seasoned professional known for his creative and operational expertise.

With over 15 years of experience, Shreyy has worked with leading global hospitality brands such as Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien, Pullman (Accor), Massive Restaurants, and Carnival Cruise Line. In his most recent role as Head Chef – Outlet at Hyatt Hyderabad, he led the relaunch of a signature dining venue, bringing in fresh ideas while focusing on guest experience.

Known for his strong skills in menu planning, food cost management, and maintaining quality standards, Shreyy also brings hands-on experience in modern techniques like molecular gastronomy and sous-vide. His approach combines creativity with a structured way of working, helping deliver consistent and engaging dining experiences.

In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s overall culinary direction, managing menu development, kitchen operations, and guiding the team. His focus will be on creating food and beverage offerings that match changing guest preferences while staying true to Hyatt Centric’s modern and vibrant style.

Speaking on his appointment, Shreyy Puurii shared:

“Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is a vibrant destination at the crossroads of culture and cuisine. I am excited to collaborate with the team to craft dynamic menus, introduce fresh perspectives, and create memorable dining journeys for our guests.”

With this appointment, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore continues to focus on innovation in its culinary offerings while maintaining consistency and a strong guest experience.


Hilton Mumbai International Airport Welcomes Amol Reel as Commercial Director

Hilton Mumbai International Airport Welcomes Amol Reel as Commercial Director

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Hilton Mumbai International Airport has announced the appointment of Mr. Amol Reel as its new Commercial Director, adding strength to its leadership team as the hotel continues to grow in Mumbai’s fast-moving hospitality space.

With over a decade of experience across Sales, Marketing, and Commercial Strategy, Amol has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Taj Hotels, Hyatt, and Hilton. In his previous role as Director of Sales at Conrad Pune, he played an important role in driving revenue growth, improving brand positioning, and leading strong-performing teams.

Amol is an alumnus of Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute and started his career with Taj Hotels as a Taj Hospitality Trainee in Food & Beverage Service. He later moved into Sales Operations and has since built a solid reputation for creating result-focused strategies and encouraging a performance-driven work culture.

In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s Sales, Revenue Management, Marketing, and Distribution functions. His focus will be on building integrated commercial strategies that support revenue growth, profitability, and market presence.

Deepak Kumar, General Manager, Hilton Mumbai International Airport, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Amol to the Hilton Mumbai family. His strong commercial acumen, deep market understanding, and proven leadership in driving results make him an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that his strategic vision will further strengthen our positioning and contribute significantly to our continued growth.”

Speaking on his appointment, Amol Reel said:

“Coming to the City of Dreams always feels special. After years of learning, growing, and evolving across markets, I am delighted to join the Hilton Mumbai International Airport family. I look forward to leading the commercial team and contributing to the continued growth and success of the hotel.”

Outside of work, Amol enjoys travelling, staying fit, and taking part in adventure activities like trekking and snorkeling. He also likes exploring new cultures and cuisines.

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