Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay has appointed Benjamin Halat as its new Executive Chef, marking the beginning of a fresh culinary direction for the luxury beachfront resort from May 1, 2026.

Chef Benjamin brings more than two decades of international culinary experience spanning Europe and Asia, having worked across acclaimed restaurants and luxury hospitality brands in Germany, Switzerland, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. His appointment further strengthens the resort’s positioning as one of Bali’s leading luxury dining destinations.

Located along Bali’s sunset coast, the resort is known for its immersive culinary experiences across multiple dining venues including Sundara, the oceanfront signature restaurant recognised with a 2025 Global Recognition Award for luxury hospitality and sustainable innovation; Jala, serving authentic Balinese cuisine; Taman Wantilan, featuring live Asian and Western cooking stations; and TELU, the resort’s community-conscious cocktail bar.

Born and raised in Munich, Chef Benjamin began his culinary journey at the Michelin-starred restaurant of Hotel Königshof Munich at the age of 17. Over the years, he has collaborated with internationally recognised chefs while refining a culinary philosophy rooted in precision, creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.

Prior to joining Four Seasons, he served as Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental Savoy Zurich, where he contributed to the property earning the Gault&Millau Schweiz Hotel of the Year 2025 recognition following its reopening.

Commenting on his appointment, Chef Benjamin said he is excited to return to Asia and work alongside the resort’s culinary team to create dishes inspired by Bali’s rich food traditions and exceptional local ingredients.

Known for encouraging collaborative kitchen culture and culinary excellence, Chef Benjamin is expected to lead a new phase of gastronomic innovation at the Forbes Five-Star resort, where sustainability, local culture, and refined dining experiences remain central to the guest journey.

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Yogesh Pansare as its new Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing over 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he joins the team with strong expertise in food and beverage operations, banquet management, revenue growth, and guest experience.

In his new position, Yogesh will oversee the hotel’s complete Food & Beverage portfolio, including restaurant and banquet operations. His role will focus on driving business growth, improving guest satisfaction, enhancing operational performance, and further strengthening the hotel’s dining and event offerings.

Over the years, Yogesh has held leadership roles with well-known hospitality brands including Hyatt and Marriott. During his career, he has managed several high-profile events, international summits, large corporate gatherings, and premium social occasions, showcasing his capabilities in operational management and strategic leadership.

Speaking about his new role, Yogesh said, "I am excited to join Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a team that values excellence, collaboration, and guest-centric hospitality. I look forward to contributing to the hotel’s continued growth by enhancing dining experiences, building strong guest relationships and creating meaningful experiences through innovation and service excellence."

Known for his people-first approach, Yogesh is recognised for creating meaningful guest experiences while maintaining operational excellence. Personally, he values growth, genuine relationships, and thoughtful conversations. He is also appreciated for his calm, dependable, and positive approach, both inside and outside the workplace.

With this appointment, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad continues its focus on strengthening leadership and enhancing hospitality experiences for its guests.

Indian Hotels Company Limited has announced the appointment of hospitality professional Aejaz Shaikh as Hotel Manager of Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage.

With over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Shaikh brings strong expertise in hotel operations, commercial strategy, and brand development. His career has been marked by consistent business performance, market share growth, and enhanced guest experience delivery across competitive hospitality environments.

Prior to this appointment, he served as Director of Sales & Marketing for both Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon and Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage, where he led integrated commercial strategies spanning rooms, food and beverage, events, and ancillary revenue streams.

During his tenure, the properties witnessed strong growth across key segments including MICE, weddings, and leisure travel, alongside improved brand visibility in both domestic and international markets.

An alumnus of the University of Madras and the University of Mumbai, Shaikh holds multiple qualifications in business management, marketing, and hospitality.

Commenting on the appointment, Vivek Batra said that Shaikh’s strong commercial acumen and deep understanding of the Goa market make him well suited to lead the property, adding that his leadership is expected to further strengthen positioning and guest experience excellence.

The appointment reinforces IHCL’s continued focus on strengthening leadership across its luxury portfolio in Goa, a key market in India’s premium hospitality landscape.