Regency College Marks 31st Annual Awards with Industry Icons and Celebratory Honors

Regency College Marks 31st Annual Awards with Industry Icons and Celebratory Honors

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 28, 2025

Regency College of Culinary Arts & Hotel Management, one of India's premier hospitality institutions, celebrated its 31st Regency Annual Awards Ceremony on 24th May 2025 at the T-Hub Auditorium with grandeur and pride. The event was a spirited blend of celebration, recognition, and inspiration from some of the most esteemed names in the industry.

Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest was the legendary Chef Manjit Singh Gill, President of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA). He was joined by distinguished Guests of Honor—Chef Vijaya Baskaran (General Secretary, IFCA), Mr. Eleazer Prakash (General Manager – Fairfield by Marriott), and Mr. Kumar Manish (Vice President – Royal Orchid Hotels). Together, they brought immense energy and pride to the celebration.

The event opened with a warm welcome by Ms. Uma Bala, Head of Department, followed by the felicitation of the dignitaries. Principal Mr. P. Ramesh Kumar Reddy presented the Annual Report, spotlighting the college’s ongoing innovations, academic accomplishments, and contributions to the hospitality sector.

Honoring Excellence: Regency Leadership Awards 2024–25

One of the major highlights was the Regency Leadership Awards, designed to honor individuals for their lasting impact on the hospitality industry.

Lifetime Achievement Award:
Chef Manjit Singh Gill was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to Indian culinary arts and his efforts in shaping the future of the hospitality landscape. In his keynote address, he urged students to embrace culinary sustainability and cultural preservation while becoming responsible global professionals.

Grand Regent Award (For Hotel Managers and Area Directors):

  • Mr. Eleazer Prakash – GM, Fairfield by Marriott

  • Chef Vijaya Baskaran – General Secretary, IFCA

  • Chef Madhusudan Gupta – Treasurer, IFCA

  • Chef Sudhir Sibal – Executive Board Member, IFCA

  • Chef Nimish Bhatia – Indian Cuisine Project Lead, IFCA

  • Chef Amey Marathe – Vice President, TCA / Board of Adviser, IFCA

Elite Regent Award (For Department Heads & HR Excellence):

  • Mr. B. Hema Kumar – Head, HR, ITC Kakatiya

  • Mr. Arunit Banerjee – Head, HR, ITC Kohenur

  • Mr. Himanshu Barola – Strategic Adviser, IFCA

  • Chef Reetika Gill – Founder, Eco Green

  • Chef Sathiyaseelan – Sr. Zonal Manager, VRB Consumer Products Pvt. Ltd.

Star Regent Award (Outstanding Alumni Recognition):

  • Mr. Kumar Manish – Vice President, Royal Orchid Hotels

  • Mr. Syed Azhar Ullah – EAM, Lemon Tree Banjara Hills

  • Mr. Y. Abhilash – Director, Ancient Stone Flames

  • Mr. Ashok Manga – Executive Chef, Fairfield by Marriott

Student Achievements and Magazine Launch

Chairman Md. Fathe Khaleq commended the institution for building a rich legacy and continuing to inspire young professionals. The release of the college’s annual magazine ECHO, commemorating 31 years of excellence, was met with applause and appreciation.

Students were also awarded for excellence in various categories including merit, Industrial Exposure Training, hospitality skills, culinary arts, mixology, flower arrangement, and national-level competitions. Medals and certificates recognized their dedication and consistent performance.

In his concluding remarks, Principal Reddy emphasized the role of modern training methods and AI integration in transforming hospitality education. He proudly noted Regency’s impressive 98% placement rate and affirmed the college’s mission to stay future-ready.

“As hospitality evolves rapidly with digital and global influences, Regency remains committed to equipping students with the skills and mindset to lead and thrive in this exciting industry,” he said.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.

Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Kimberly Fernandez as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With experience in media, communications, and hospitality marketing, she brings valuable knowledge to support the hotel’s efforts in strengthening brand presence and guest engagement.

In her new role, Kimberly will handle the hotel’s marketing, digital, communications, and public relations initiatives. Her focus will be on improving brand visibility while highlighting the property’s dining and wellness offerings. She will also work closely with teams across the hotel to create impactful campaigns, build media relationships, and share stories that reflect the unique experiences offered at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.

Kimberly’s professional journey includes working with well-known hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency Chennai, Novotel Ahmedabad, and Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley during its pre-opening phase. She has also gained experience outside the hospitality space with Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Care World TV. Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in media relations, brand communication, digital strategy, and event-led marketing.

As Marketing & Communications Manager, she will lead brand positioning, digital presence, content creation, media engagement, and strategic events. Her role will focus on creating meaningful connections with guests while strengthening Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s position as a preferred destination for stays, dining, and celebrations.

"I am excited to take on this role at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and look forward to building engaging campaigns that showcase the hotel’s signature experiences. My focus will be on strengthening our digital presence, amplifying our brand story, and deepening connections with guests and the community, while reflecting the care and hospitality that define Hyatt," said Kimberly Fernandez, Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on March 17, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has added a strong culinary voice to its kitchen leadership with the appointment of Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef. The move reinforces the hotel's position as one of Mumbai's most respected luxury dining destinations, known for its signature brunches, elevated banquet offerings, and refined guest experiences.

Rahul comes with a well-rounded and impressive career behind him. His previous stints include Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Hyatt Pune, and Sahara Star Hotel, giving him exposure to the kind of high-pressure, high-standard kitchen environments that luxury hospitality demands. His expertise spans Japanese, Oriental, Western, and Awadhi cuisines, a genuinely broad range that speaks to the versatility required in a hotel of JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's scale and ambition.

What sets Rahul apart is how he thinks about the kitchen itself. He views it as both a creative studio and a performance space, where precision and artistry work together rather than in opposition. That philosophy translates directly into the kind of dining experiences he creates, ones that go beyond technical execution to leave a genuine impression on the guest.

His operational credentials are equally strong. He brings experience managing high-volume culinary events including those exceeding 25,000 covers, which is particularly relevant at a hotel with 95,781 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space and a reputation for setting benchmarks in banquet excellence.

In his new role, Rahul will focus on crafting elevated dining experiences across the hotel's portfolio, which includes Romano's, JW Café, BarQat, and AUTM, reinforcing JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's standing as a destination for luxury culinary experiences in the city.

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