Loading...
You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
By Author
Published on December 30, 2023
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar proudly introduces Chef Prakash Chettiyar, a distinguished culinary expert with over two decades of experience, as the newly appointed Director of Culinary. This strategic appointment aims to elevate the hotel's dining experience to unprecedented levels of sophistication and innovation.
Chef Prakash, celebrated for his dynamic and innovative approach to culinary arts, boasts mastery across various cuisines, including Italian, Western, Thai, Chinese, Coastal, and Indian. His illustrious career highlights include overseeing the Indian Cuisine Section at the Oberoi Grand, Kolkata, and representing India in the 2008 Incredible India campaign.
With leadership roles at esteemed establishments such as Marriott Kochi, The Oberoi Cecil Shimla, and JW Marriott Kolkata (as the Executive Chef), Chef Prakash consistently demonstrates a commitment to culinary excellence. He played a pivotal role in the pre-opening teams of Marriott hotels like Ritz Carlton Pune and Fairfield by Marriott, Kolkata, contributing significantly to their culinary identity.
Chef Prakash extends his influence beyond the kitchen, making significant contributions to high-profile events like the G20 Summit, South East Asia GM Conference of Marriott, and NRAI events. Collaborating with industry veterans, he has curated memorable pop-up dinners featuring renowned restaurants such as Indian Accent, Masque, and Bombay Canteen.
In his new role as Director of Culinary at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Chef Prakash brings a visionary approach to innovation and dedication to excellence. His culinary craftsmanship aligns seamlessly with the high standards synonymous with the JW Marriott brand, promising guests an extraordinary gastronomic journey.
Under Chef Prakash’s leadership, the hotel’s restaurant offerings are set to reach new heights of excellence. Guests can anticipate an unforgettable dining experience, showcasing the very best of fine cuisine, as he brings his visionary approach to the heart of JW Marriott Sahar.
About JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, located a short drive from Mumbai’s international and domestic airport, stands as an ideal destination for business and leisure. The hotel's 588 spacious rooms feature pillow-top beds, marble bathrooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, generous work desks, and 24-hour room service. Dining options at Romano’s, JW Café, and AUTM – JW Lounge reflect the city’s rich culture and culinary tradition. The hotel boasts 95,781 sq.ft. of indoor and outdoor convention spaces, offering a blend of beauty, authentic hospitality, and world-class audio-visual services. Spa By JW, the first of its kind in Asia Pacific, extends a host of therapies for holistic wellness. For more information, visit JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. Follow on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter - @JWSahar. Additional updates on LinkedIn, YouTube, Google Plus.
Tamashaa DC Unveils Bold New Menu Crafted by Chef Manoj Goel
Tamashaa Indian Restaurant, one of Washington DC’s rising cu...
Banyan Tree Krabi Launches Jurassic Explorer Package as Krab...
Banyan Tree Krabi is inviting guests to step into a world wh...
Manglam Group & The Fern Hotels to Develop 200+ Key Serviced...
Manglam Group, one of Rajasthan’s most trusted and diversifi...
Namak Unveils New Menu Curated by Chef Kishor Singh, Fusing ...
Namak Indian Restaurant & Bar, a beloved culinary spot in Gr...
By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 17, 2025
Ishaara, renowned for its soulful Indian cuisine, has brought back its celebrated Undivided Punjab menu to Mumbai. After winning hearts in Pune, Bangalore, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad, this special pop-up makes its final stop at Ishaara in Palladium Mall, starting 16th July 2025.
Curated by Chef Sherry Mehta, the menu was born out of a heartfelt conversation with Bellona Hospitality’s Managing Director, Prashant Issar. As they reminisced about their Punjabi roots, they realised how many treasured dishes had quietly disappeared over time. This sparked a mission to revive forgotten recipes and celebrate the rich, cross-cultural culinary traditions of pre-partition Punjab.
The Undivided Punjab menu brings to life dishes from the kitchens of Lahore, Amritsar, and Rawalpindi—before the tandoor became commonplace—showcasing curries, pulaos, kebabs, and breads influenced by Greek, Persian, Moorish, and British cuisines. Each dish is a glimpse into a Punjab that once knew no borders, telling stories of unity and shared heritage.
“Undivided Punjab began as a deeply personal idea, a nostalgic conversation about lost recipes and fading culinary memories. To see it resonate with people across cities has been incredibly moving. This final showcase in Mumbai is an ode to recipes long lost in time across borders,” said Prashant Issar.
Chef Sherry Mehta added, “This journey has been deeply personal. With every dish, I’ve tried to honour the forgotten kitchens and stories of a land that once thrived in unity. Undivided Punjab is more than a menu; it’s a memory, a legacy, and a tribute to generations before us. Bringing it to Mumbai one last time feels like coming home.”
The dishes, slow-cooked in clay pots, seasoned with hand-ground spices, and crafted using local ingredients, promise a rich, nostalgic experience. Hosted at Ishaara—an award-winning restaurant recognised by Times Food & Nightlife Awards and NDTV—this pop-up offers a final opportunity to savour these long-lost flavours.
About Bellona Hospitality:
A subsidiary of The Phoenix Mills Ltd., Bellona Hospitality operates 39 restaurants across Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Mumbai, the company manages nine distinctive brands, including Ishaara, Dobaraa, and Caffé Allora, delivering exceptional dining through innovation, sustainability, and curated ambiance.
India and Kuwait have signed a landmark agreement to liberalise their bilateral air services, raising weekly seat entitlements to 18,000 for carriers on each side—a significant jump that comes 18 years after the last increase. The agreement, aimed at addressing rising demand from Indian workers in the Gulf and reducing ticket prices, was formalised yesterday in New Delhi. It was signed by India’s Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and Sheikh Hamoud Al-Mubarak, President of Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
This move follows sustained calls to enhance flight capacity, as airlines from both countries had already maxed out the previous quota of 12,000 seats per week. With a large share of Indian workers in Kuwait and many hailing from Kerala, limited capacity often resulted in skyrocketing fares, particularly during peak travel periods.
The issue was also discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December, underscoring its importance. Under the new agreement, Indian airlines will receive priority for landing and parking slots at Kuwaiti airports, ensuring better operational flexibility.
Currently, carriers like Air India Express, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Kuwait Airways, and Jazeera Airways operate nearly 40 flights daily between India and Kuwait. Kuwait Airways and IndiGo are the largest operators, with 54 and 36 weekly flights respectively.
The pact signals a calibrated shift in India’s traditionally guarded stance on granting additional flying rights, especially to Middle Eastern carriers. While the government remains committed to an "India-first" policy that safeguards local airlines and seeks to develop airports into regional hubs akin to Dubai or Changi, officials noted they would consider expanding access on a case-by-case basis if it benefits passengers and supports domestic carriers.
In fact, in just the past year, India has signed similar air treaties with Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan. As per India’s National Civil Aviation Policy of 2016, additional rights aren’t typically granted until Indian carriers utilise at least 80% of existing capacity.
A government official said, “We will follow an India-first policy on any negotiation about air service agreements. We will be open to any suggestions wherever customers will benefit and our airlines will get a good deal.”
The Ministry of External Affairs also informed a parliamentary committee that ongoing dialogues with various Gulf nations aim to enhance connectivity, ultimately bringing down the cost of tickets for millions of Indians travelling to the region.
This latest agreement with Kuwait stands as a crucial step toward balancing growing passenger needs, affordable travel, and the protection of Indian aviation interests.
Thailand has officially delayed the rollout of its planned entry fee for international tourists to mid-2026, citing weaker-than-expected arrivals and broader economic challenges. Initially slated for 2025, the fee—known locally as the "kha yeap pan din" or “stepping onto Thai soil” charge—was aimed at bolstering travel insurance coverage for visitors and financing tourism infrastructure improvements.
Approved by Thailand’s Cabinet back in February 2023, the plan would have seen air travelers paying 300 baht (approximately €7.50), while those entering by land or sea would have been charged 150 baht (about €3.75). However, Thailand’s Assistant Tourism Minister Chakrapol Tangsutthitham recently confirmed that implementation has been pushed back in light of current market conditions. “We are delaying implementation until tourism demand rebounds,” he said, according to Euro News.
As of early July 2025, Thailand has welcomed nearly 17 million tourists—about 5% lower than the same period last year. This slowdown has heightened concerns in a country where tourism contributes roughly 20% of GDP. Economists point to a mix of factors, including a sluggish economic recovery in key markets like China, a stronger Thai baht, and the rising cost of global air travel. Additionally, looming U.S. tariffs on Thai exports could add further strain to the region’s economic outlook, indirectly affecting outbound tourism from impacted countries.
When eventually introduced, the entry fee is expected to directly fund improvements such as traveler insurance schemes and critical infrastructure upgrades, enhancing both safety and the overall visitor experience.
Despite the deferment, Thailand continues to focus on attracting travelers by strengthening its core offerings and simplifying arrival procedures. Earlier this year, authorities rolled out a digital entry platform to replace traditional paper-based forms, aimed at improving data collection and speeding up border formalities.
While the fee may be on hold, Thailand’s commitment to evolving its tourism landscape remains firm—setting the stage for a stronger, more resilient sector once global travel fully regains momentum.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.