ibis Hotels has announced the appointment of Mahi Teja as General Manager of ibis Coimbatore City Centre. The appointment marks a significant leadership milestone for the hospitality professional, who brings close to 14 years of industry experience across sales, hotel operations, and business management.

Mahi joins the Coimbatore property after building a diverse career with leading hospitality brands, including Accor and Hyatt Hotels. Having started his journey in sales, he has progressively expanded his expertise across commercial functions, revenue management, guest experience, and operational leadership.

Over the years, he has held multiple roles within the Accor network, gaining experience across both commercial and operational domains. This blend of expertise has helped shape a leadership style focused on business performance, guest satisfaction, and talent development.

In his new role, Mahi will oversee the strategic and operational direction of ibis Coimbatore City Centre, with a focus on strengthening service excellence, driving business growth, and fostering high-performing teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Tejus Jose said Mahi’s journey within Accor reflects his commitment to continuous learning, operational excellence, and collaborative leadership. He noted that Mahi’s understanding of both commercial and operational functions positions him well to lead the hotel through its next phase of growth.

A strong advocate of professional development, Mahi has completed several leadership programmes through Accor Academy, including the International Emerging Leaders Programme (2020), the General Leadership Programme (2023), and the MEA APAC Master’s Programme – General Manager in Making (2025).

Most recently, he served as Hotel Operations Manager at ibis Bengaluru Hosur Road, where he played a key role in enhancing operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, revenue performance, and team development.

Speaking on his appointment, Mahi expressed enthusiasm about leading the Coimbatore property, highlighting his focus on delivering memorable guest experiences, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring operational excellence.

The appointment reinforces Accor’s continued investment in leadership development as it expands the ibis brand footprint across India and strengthens its presence in key business and travel destinations.

Chennais Amirta International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has announced the appointment of Abanindra Nath Biswal as the Principal of its Chengalpattu Campus, strengthening the institution's leadership with a seasoned hospitality professional who brings more than three decades of industry experience.

Biswal has been part of the hotel industry since 1992 and has held several leadership positions across renowned hospitality brands in India and overseas. Prior to taking up his new role, he served as Executive Chef at Grande Bay Resort, Mahabalipuram, a position he held from May 2022. He also worked as Chef at Radisson Blu Chennai Egmore between January 2021 and May 2022.

Throughout his career, Biswal has built expertise in culinary operations, strategic planning, food and beverage management, quality compliance, and client servicing. His professional journey includes leadership roles at Mangifera Cuisines Chennai, Clarion Hotel Chennai, Holland America Line USA, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Aloft Bangalore, Chancery Hotel Bangalore, Fortune Kences Hotel Tirupati, Hotel Swosti Plaza, The Park Hotel Kolkata, Star Cruise Singapore, and Taj Connemara Chennai.

Known for his strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, Biswal has worked in multicultural environments and is proficient in multiple languages. His experience spans hotel operations, large-scale banqueting, outdoor catering, menu development, quality management, and team leadership.

Over the years, he has successfully managed large hospitality operations, including hotels with extensive banquet facilities, specialty restaurants, and large outdoor catering events. His portfolio includes handling major events such as Aero Show 2007, IPL matches, and large-scale corporate functions catering to thousands of guests. He has also played a key role in introducing Italian, Western, and Mediterranean menus, standardising recipes, implementing operational procedures, and enhancing business performance through innovative food concepts.

Biswal's achievements extend beyond hotel operations. He has been actively involved in hospitality education and training, serving as an External Examiner for food production at Canon School of Catering and Hotel Management, Chennai, and I.H.M Bangalore for several years. He has also participated in food festivals, culinary competitions, and industry development programmes throughout his career.

Academically, Biswal is an alumnus of Tamil Nadu Open University and I.H.M. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was recognised as an institute topper during his hotel management studies and received the Best Cocktail Award at the 1st All India All Rounders Competition held at IHM Dadar, Mumbai. He has also completed Niveaux Un and Niveaux Deux at Alliance Francais Chennai.

In addition, he is a member of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), which is affiliated with the World Association of Chefs.

With his extensive industry exposure and commitment to hospitality education, Abanindra Nath Biswal is expected to play a significant role in strengthening academic excellence and industry-oriented learning at the Chennais Amirta IIHM Chengalpattu Campus.

Savorworks Coffee & Chocolate has announced the appointment of Chef Hemant Bisht as its new Head Chef, marking a significant step in the brand’s evolution from a specialty coffee and bean-to-bar chocolate destination into a comprehensive café, restaurant, and bar concept.

With more than 13 years of experience across luxury hospitality and premium dining establishments, Chef Hemant will lead culinary operations across Savorworks’ GK2 and Gurgaon outlets. He will also play a key role in shaping the brand’s long-term expansion strategy as it prepares to strengthen its presence across India.

Chef Hemant brings extensive experience from leading hospitality brands, including InterContinental Chennai, Indigo Hospitality, Passcode Hospitality’s SAZ, and Mesa Kitchen & Bar. His expertise spans menu development, kitchen operations, team leadership, and culinary innovation.

At Savorworks, his focus will be on enhancing the food programme while working closely with the coffee, chocolate, bakery, and beverage teams to create a cohesive dining experience. Beyond day-to-day operations, he will contribute to building scalable culinary systems, mentoring teams, and ensuring consistency across future outlets.

Commenting on the appointment, Baninder Singh, Founder of Savorworks Coffee & Chocolate, said the company has been working towards elevating its food offerings alongside its established coffee and chocolate programmes. He added that Chef Hemant’s experience in modern dining and culinary concept development makes him the ideal leader for the next phase of growth.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Chef Hemant said he looks forward to contributing to the brand’s vision of quality, creativity, and craftsmanship. He emphasized the importance of teamwork, consistency, and continuous learning in delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Founded in 2019 by coffee roaster Baninder Singh and chocolatier Paweena Withyasathien Kochar, Savorworks Coffee & Chocolate has built a strong reputation for its specialty coffee, artisanal chocolates, and immersive café experiences. The appointment of Chef Hemant reflects the brand’s commitment to further strengthening its culinary identity as it expands its footprint across India.