DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square has announced the appointment of Mayank Takkar as its new Food & Beverage Manager. Bringing over a decade of hospitality experience, Mayank joins the hotel with expertise in food and beverage operations, guest experience, and team leadership.

In his new role, he will oversee the hotel's complete food and beverage portfolio, including its restaurants, bars, banqueting, and in-room dining services. His responsibilities will include strengthening service standards, enhancing culinary experiences, driving revenue growth, and further elevating the hotel's dining offerings in line with Hilton's global hospitality standards.

Before joining DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square, Mayank served as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Hilton Jaipur, where he managed multiple F&B operations while contributing to revenue growth and guest satisfaction initiatives. During his career, he has also worked with leading hospitality brands such as Marriott Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Westin Gurgaon, Andaz by Hyatt, and Trident Gurgaon.

A graduate in Hotel and Hospitality Management from IHM Gwalior, Mayank has developed strong expertise in food and beverage operations, revenue optimisation, guest relations, event management, service excellence, and team development. He is recognised for his collaborative leadership style and guest-first approach, along with his ability to build high-performing teams and deliver memorable dining experiences.

Commenting on the appointment, Nitin Pathak, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square, said:

"We are pleased to welcome Mayank to the DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square family. Bringing extensive industry experience and strong expertise in Food & Beverage operations, he joins us with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and driving service excellence. We are confident that his leadership, strategic vision, and operational acumen will further elevate our dining offerings and contribute significantly to enhancing the overall guest experience."

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Mayank Takkar said:

"I am excited to embark on this new journey with DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square. My focus will be on further enhancing the hotel's food and beverage experiences while ensuring our guests receive unique, memorable, and exceptional service. I look forward to working closely with the team to foster a positive work culture and contribute to the continued growth and success of the property."

Hyatt Regency Chandigarh has announced the appointment of Chef Balvinder Lubana as its new Executive Chef. Bringing more than 17 years of culinary experience, he joins the hotel after working with some of India's leading luxury hospitality brands, including The Oberoi Group, Taj Hotels, Marriott International, and Hyatt.

In his new role, Chef Balvinder Lubana will oversee the hotel's entire culinary operations, including its restaurants, banqueting, in-room dining, and customised dining experiences. His appointment is expected to strengthen the hotel's food and beverage offerings while introducing innovative dining concepts that align with evolving guest preferences.

Chef Balvinder is known for his modern culinary approach that combines authentic regional flavours with global influences. His philosophy focuses on sustainability, wellness, locally sourced ingredients, and storytelling through food, creating experiences that are both memorable and relevant for today's travellers.

Throughout his career, he has successfully led culinary teams, developed new dining concepts, and built a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. His ability to balance innovation with operational excellence has earned him recognition across the hospitality industry.

Chef Balvinder has also served as a member of the APEC Culinary Advisory Board (2024–25). He is passionate about promoting sustainable culinary practices, supporting local produce, and giving traditional cuisines a contemporary touch through modern techniques and presentation.

Speaking on his appointment, Chef Balvinder Lubana said:

"I am honored to join Hyatt Regency Chandigarh and be part of a team that shares a passion for excellence and innovation. Food today is about creating meaningful connections and memorable experiences. I look forward to developing culinary offerings that celebrate local heritage, embrace global inspirations, and reflect the evolving tastes of our guests."

With Chef Balvinder leading its culinary division, Hyatt Regency Chandigarh aims to further enhance its dining experiences and strengthen its reputation as one of the region's leading culinary destinations through innovation, authenticity, and a guest-focused approach.

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach has announced a series of leadership promotions across its finance, learning and development, and food and beverage divisions, reinforcing the hotel's commitment to internal talent development and operational excellence.

The latest promotions include Nageswara Rao Dachepalli as Finance Controller, Nisha Butwani as Learning & Development Manager, and Naval Tripathi as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager. The appointments reflect the hotel's focus on building a strong leadership pipeline while recognising high-performing team members.

Nageswara Rao Dachepalli has been promoted to Finance Controller after serving as Finance Manager. During his tenure, he played a key role in strengthening the hotel's financial planning, compliance, reporting frameworks, and operational controls. In his new position, he will lead the property's financial strategy while driving greater operational efficiency.

Nisha Butwani has been elevated to Learning & Development Manager following more than six years with the Accor ecosystem. She has contributed significantly to employee engagement, leadership development, compliance initiatives, and organisational culture. She has also led programmes focused on diversity, workplace safety, and creating an inclusive work environment.

Naval Tripathi has been promoted to Assistant Food & Beverage Manager after consistently contributing to the hotel's banquet and dining operations. In his expanded role, he will focus on enhancing food and beverage service standards, driving innovation across dining experiences, and delivering memorable guest experiences.

Commenting on the promotions, Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager of Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said the appointments reflect the hotel's commitment to recognising and nurturing talent from within the organisation. She added that strong internal leadership remains central to delivering exceptional guest experiences as the hotel continues to grow.

The promotions mark another milestone in Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach's ongoing efforts to develop future-ready leaders while strengthening operational capabilities across key business functions.