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.

EBG Group has announced fitness icon and wellness advocate Milind Soman as the cultural and lifestyle ambassador for its flagship F&B brand, Natuf Café, marking the next phase of growth for the Levantine quick-service chain.

The partnership aligns with Natuf Café’s clean-eating philosophy rooted in Middle Eastern food traditions that celebrate fresh ingredients, balanced flavours and sustainable practices. As the brand sharpens its expansion plans, it aims to cross 100 outlets nationwide by the end of 2026 through a mix of company-owned stores, franchise formats, cloud kitchens and exclusive retail cafés, catering to India’s young, urban and health-conscious consumers. Positioned at the intersection of global flavours and mindful nutrition, Natuf Café offers protein-rich, low-carb, low-fat and low-sugar meals within a plastic-free, sustainability-led ecosystem.

 Commenting on the association, Hari Kiran, Co-founder & COO, EBG Group, said, “Milind Soman embodies the values we stand for at EBG—discipline, authenticity, and conscious living. Natuf Café is not just expanding as a QSR brand; it is building a movement around better food choices that respect people, the planet, and long-term well-being. Over the next year, EBG Group plans to invest between ₹35 lakh and ₹1.25 crore per outlet, supporting rapid retail development across key Indian cities.”  Amer Juneidi, Founder & Managing Director, Natuf, added, “For me, Natuf has always been about sharing heritage, culture, and honest food. Partnering with Milind Soman feels natural because he represents integrity and mindful living. As we scale Levantine cuisine across India, we remain committed to authenticity, nutrition, and sustainability in every meal.”

Sharing his perspective, Milind Soman said, “What attracted me to Natuf Café is its simplicity and honesty. The food is rooted in tradition, naturally nutritious, and aligned with how people want to eat today - without excess or compromise. I'm glad to associate with a brand that is making healthy, sustainable food part of everyday life.” 

With this collaboration, Natuf Café strengthens its positioning as a progressive QSR brand that balances bold global flavours with everyday wellness, reinforcing EBG Group’s People–Planet–Profit vision.

Grand Mercure Mysore has announced the appointment of Suresh Kumar as its new Food and Beverage Manager, effective February 11, 2026. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Suresh joins from ibis Styles Mysuru, where he played an integral role during the hotel’s formative growth phase.

At ibis Styles, he helped shape the F&B positioning of key outlets including The Verandah, Flamingo Bar and rooftop venue KA 16, establishing them as preferred dining destinations in the city.

His earlier roles include Banquet Manager at Novotel and ibis Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, and Restaurant Manager with Taj Hotels, reflecting a strong foundation across premium and upscale segments. At Grand Mercure Mysore, Suresh will oversee end-to-end food and beverage operations, leading signature outlets such as La Uppu, By The Blue and Silk Bar, with a focus on menu engineering, cost optimisation, service standards and overall business performance.

Welcoming him to the leadership team, Radhika Tata, General Manager, said his strength in service excellence and team development will further enhance guest experiences. Sharing his thoughts, Suresh expressed enthusiasm about joining the property and delivering memorable dining moments. A recipient of the IHC London and IIHM International Hospitality Day Award 2023, he remains committed to nurturing talent and driving operational consistency in line with the brand’s vision. Grand Mercure, part of Accor’s global portfolio of over 5,700 properties across 110+ countries, continues to celebrate local culture through elevated hospitality experiences.