Strengthening its culinary leadership, Chrome Asia Hospitality has appointed Chef Chirag Makwana as Corporate Executive Chef. In his new role, he will oversee the culinary direction across key brands, including Late Checkout and Lyla BKC, while also spearheading new dining concepts set to launch in 2026.

Chef Chirag brings with him a globally influenced culinary perspective, rooted in bold simplicity and experiential dining. His appointment marks a significant step in evolving the group’s food narrative, aligning with its vision of creating experience-led hospitality formats.

At Late Checkout, a high-energy, cocktail-driven destination known for its inventive bar program and global influences, Chef Chirag introduces a refined Japanese-European culinary direction. His approach blends precision with bold flavours, crafting dishes that complement the bar experience while standing out as a key attraction on their own.

At Lyla BKC, his focus shifts towards a more relaxed, all-day dining format. Here, the menu is designed to offer comfort and refinement, creating dishes that encourage repeat visits while staying true to the brand’s identity. Across both venues, his philosophy centres on building menus that resonate with contemporary diners while maintaining distinct culinary voices.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Chef Chirag began his culinary journey in his mother’s kitchen before moving to Canada at the age of 18 for formal training. He graduated with honours in Culinary Management from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute and went on to work alongside renowned chefs such as Massimo Capra, Michael Bonacini, and Tony De Luca. He also holds the prestigious Red Seal Chef Certification.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Chef Chirag said that his approach to food focuses on clarity of flavour and intent, taking simple elements and elevating them to create something exciting. He highlighted that while Late Checkout explores a bold Japanese-European direction designed to complement the bar experience, Lyla BKC focuses on comfort-driven dishes that guests return to.

Commenting on the appointment, Co-Founder Pawan Shahri emphasised that a strong culinary voice is essential for building memorable dining experiences. He noted that Chef Chirag’s combination of technical expertise and creative instinct makes him well-suited to lead the next phase of growth for the group.

With this strategic appointment, Chrome Asia Hospitality continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering distinctive dining experiences where food, beverage, and ambience come together seamlessly under a unified creative vision.

About Chrome Asia Hospitality:

Founded in 2019 by Pawan Shahri and Nikita Shahri, Chrome Asia Hospitality is a full-scale hospitality company focused on building experience-driven restaurant concepts across India. The group’s portfolio includes popular dining destinations such as Late Checkout, Gigi Bombay, Lyla Bombay, EVE, Shy, and Donna Deli, reflecting a global-first approach to food, design, and culture.

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef, further strengthening its culinary leadership in Bengaluru.

With over 17 years of experience, Chef Balachandar brings a strong foundation built across global kitchens and fine-dining environments. Known for his intuitive understanding of flavours and operational expertise, he has consistently delivered dining experiences that balance creativity with precision.

Over the years, he has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Conrad Bengaluru, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, The Leela Palace Chennai, and InterContinental Dubai Festival City. His journey reflects both versatility in cuisine and the ability to lead high-performing kitchen teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Gaurav Sinha highlighted that Chef Balachandar brings a deep understanding of both the art and discipline of the kitchen. He noted that the chef’s ability to blend global influences with strong technique will further enhance the hotel’s culinary offerings.

Sharing his perspective, Chef Balachandar said that kitchens thrive on energy, collaboration, and constant evolution. He expressed his intent to build vibrant, ingredient-driven menus while creating dining experiences that guests can connect with.

In his new role, he will oversee culinary operations across the hotel, working closely with teams to shape menus, refine techniques, and elevate offerings across restaurants and banquet spaces.

Part of Marriott International, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru continues to position itself as a leading luxury destination, offering diverse dining experiences alongside premium hospitality for both business and leisure travellers.

Summit Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shova Lama as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Sikkim, reinforcing its focus on strengthening regional engagement across the Northeast.

In her new role, Shova Lama will lead efforts to build stronger relationships with government departments and public institutions in the state. Her responsibilities include facilitating room bookings for official travel, coordinating hospitality arrangements for government-led events and conferences, and driving institutional business opportunities for the group.

Beyond government engagement, she will also work closely with local communities and organisations to position Summit’s properties as preferred venues for weddings, social gatherings, and private celebrations. This approach aligns with the brand’s broader strategy of deepening its presence in the regional events and social hospitality segment.

A key part of her role will involve supporting compliance and operational processes, including government registrations and empanelment requirements. Additionally, she will contribute to the company’s expansion plans by liaising with stakeholders across neighbouring states, identifying potential properties that can be integrated into the Summit portfolio through a lease model.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka highlighted the importance of the Northeast in the brand’s growth journey. He noted that Sikkim remains one of the company’s strongest operating regions and emphasised that strengthening ties with government bodies, local communities, and regional stakeholders is essential as the network continues to expand.

The appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is actively growing its footprint across the Himalayan and Northeast regions, focusing on destinations where tourism demand, institutional travel, and social events are witnessing steady growth.

With this move, the company aims to build stronger local connections while supporting its long-term expansion strategy across one of India’s most promising hospitality markets.