Meet the Culinary Maestro: Pankaj Singh Panwar, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas' New Executive Chef

Meet the Culinary Maestro: Pankaj Singh Panwar, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas' New Executive Chef

By Author

Published on September 17, 2023

The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Pankaj Singh Panwar as its Executive Chef. In his new role, Panwar will be the driving force behind the resort's culinary operations, ensuring efficiency, quality guest experiences, and overall satisfaction.

Pankaj Singh Panwar brings a wealth of culinary knowledge and expertise to the table. His journey in the hospitality industry began in 2010 with Wyndham hotels, and since then, he has honed his skills at renowned establishments, including JW Marriott Aero City, New Delhi, Sofitel Luxury Hotel Jumeirah Beach Dubai, St. Regis, W Hotel Al Habtoor City Complex, The Show by Mawal Club & Lounge Hilton Al Habtoor City, and Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek.

At the core of his responsibilities is the meticulous supervision of culinary operations, ensuring that high-quality standards are maintained, efficiency is optimized, and guest satisfaction is guaranteed. Pankaj's culinary journey has equipped him with a diverse skill set, covering outlet operations, recipe development, monitoring, training, quality control, hiring, administration functionalities, and fine dining.

What sets Pankaj apart is his commitment to personalized culinary experiences. He believes in the power of tailoring each dish to perfection, delighting the taste buds of every guest. His analytical and problem-solving approach has made him a master in the art of customer satisfaction.

But Pankaj's passion for food and people doesn't stop at the kitchen. He thrives on conversations with individuals from all walks of life and sees every interaction as an opportunity to learn something new. With his dedication to culinary excellence and a penchant for creating personalized dining experiences, Pankaj Singh Panwar is all set to make a significant impact as The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas' new Executive Chef. Get ready to savor unforgettable dishes and culinary delights under his expert guidance.


Clarks Exotica Bengaluru appoints Debanjana as Senior HR & Training Manager

Clarks Exotica Bengaluru appoints Debanjana as Senior HR & Training Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on September 16, 2025

Clarks Exotica Convention Resort and Spa, Bengaluru, has announced the appointment of Ms. Debanjana as its Senior Human Resources & Training Manager. Bringing over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, she joins with deep expertise in HR, training, and operations.

Debanjana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management & Hotel Administration from IHM Bhubaneswar and a Post Graduation from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. She began her career in Food & Beverage operations, gaining strong insights into service excellence and operational efficiency.

Throughout her career, she has worked with renowned brands including Hyatt Hotels, Specialty Restaurant, and Passcode Hospitality, gaining exposure to global hospitality standards. In 2021, she transitioned into academia at the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) Bengaluru, sharing her industry knowledge with aspiring professionals. She later joined Sarovar Hotels as Assistant Training Manager, rising to HR Manager, where she implemented comprehensive training programs and strengthened employee engagement and retention.

In her new role at Clarks Exotica, Debanjana will lead the resort’s human resources strategy, develop innovative training initiatives, and foster a positive organizational culture focused on collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning. Her vision is to create an environment where employees grow professionally while delivering exceptional guest experiences. Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys travelling and painting, interests that enrich her creative approach to training and development.

Debanjana expressed her enthusiasm, "I am thrilled to be part of the Clarks Exotica family and contribute to creating an environment where both our team members and guests experience excellence. My vision is to build a culture of continuous learning and a strong organizational culture that not only enhances our service standards but also provides meaningful career growth opportunities for our employees".

Welcoming her to the team, Ms. Nilisha Ghuliani, Vice President, said, "We are delighted to welcome Debanjana to our leadership team. Her extensive experience across various facets of the hospitality industry, combined with her proven track record in human resources and training, makes her the perfect addition to drive our people strategy forward and maintain our commitment to delivering world-class hospitality experiences."

Debanjana’s appointment underscores Clarks Exotica Bengaluru’s commitment to investing in top talent and maintaining its leadership position in the hospitality sector.


Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Whitefield names Ishita Ganguly as hotel manager

Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Whitefield names Ishita Ganguly as hotel manager

By Hariharan U

Published on September 15, 2025

Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Whitefield has announced the appointment of Ishita Ganguly as its new hotel manager. A seasoned hospitality leader, Ganguly brings over 13 years of experience across top global hotel chains including Marriott International, IHG, Accor and Hyatt.

An alumna of the Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore, she began her career as a corporate management trainee at Park Hyatt Chennai. Over the years, she has held senior roles at Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Accor’s Global Sales Office West India, Ibis Mumbai Cluster and Crowne Plaza Greater Noida.

Most recently, Ganguly was the complex director of sales and marketing at Courtyard & Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, where she earned recognition as Sales Rising Star Leader at Marriott International’s Elite Awards 2024.

Known for her expertise in sales and revenue management, Ganguly has consistently delivered strong commercial results across diverse market landscapes. She is admired for her strategic mindset, energetic leadership and focus on guest experience and operational excellence.

Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys travelling and discovering new destinations, adding a personal touch to her passion for hospitality.


JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Rohan Malwankar as Executive Chef

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Rohan Malwankar as Executive Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 15, 2025

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Rohan Malwankar as its new executive chef. With over 14 years of distinguished experience across marquee Marriott International properties, Malwankar is known for his ingredient-led philosophy, modern sensibilities, and ability to craft dining experiences that blend authenticity with innovation.

Since joining Marriott International in 2007, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the culinary identity of several renowned hotels, including The St. Regis Mumbai, JW Marriott Mumbai, The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, and Courtyard by Marriott Hebbal, Bengaluru. Most recently, he served as executive chef at Navi Mumbai Marriott Hotel, where he led pre- and post-opening culinary strategies, designed forward-thinking menus, and elevated guest experiences through regional storytelling.

Malwankar’s career has been marked by dynamic leadership, curating large-format galas such as celebrity weddings, and contributing to high-profile pre-opening task forces across India and Sri Lanka. His contributions to guest satisfaction, business growth, and community engagement have earned him 10 distinguished career awards.

Commenting on his appointment, Malwankar said, “It is an honour to join JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru in this exciting new chapter of my culinary journey. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to champion bold flavours, introduce fresh perspectives, and create immersive dining experiences that reflect the soul of this iconic hotel.”

Welcoming him, Gaurav Sinha, General Manager, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru, added, “We are delighted to welcome chef Rohan Malwankar to our leadership team. His wealth of experience, progressive culinary outlook, and ability to transform ingredients into stories make him a valuable asset. We are confident that his expertise will not only enrich our dining offerings but also strengthen the hotel’s positioning as one of Bengaluru’s most sought-after culinary destinations.”

In his new role, Malwankar will oversee all culinary operations at the property, including its award-winning restaurants such as Bengaluru Baking Company, Alba, Spice Terrace, JW Kitchen, Merak Brewhouse, and UNO Izakaya, as well as in-room dining and banqueting. With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and consistent excellence, he aims to further elevate JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru’s dining reputation while upholding the brand’s legacy of luxury and quality.

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