The Leela Palace Jaipur Welcomes New Leaders Across Key Roles

The Leela Palace Jaipur Welcomes New Leaders Across Key Roles

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 12, 2024

The Leela Palace Jaipur has fortified its leadership team with four new appointments, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to elevate the luxury hotel's offerings and operations.

Sohil Bhargava, Director of Food and Beverage

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With over nine years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sohil Bhargava has an impressive track record working with esteemed establishments like Raffles, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, and Andaz. Most recently, he excelled as the Senior Food and Beverage Manager at The DLF Camellias, where he implemented innovative strategies and created exceptional dining experiences. A graduate of the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Bhargava specializes in F&B operations, business strategy, and leadership.

In his new role, Bhargava will drive the culinary vision at The Leela Palace Jaipur, focusing on elevating the food and beverage experience to create unforgettable moments for guests while contributing to the hotel's overall growth and reputation.

Varun Parashar, Executive Chef

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A seasoned culinary expert, Varun Parashar brings a rich background that includes roles at Raa Atoll, Maldives; South Male Atoll, Maldives; Trident Bandra Kurla; and The Oberoi Rajvilas. With a proven ability to enhance team performance and deliver exceptional culinary standards, Parashar is a graduate of the Oberoi Center for Learning & Development and holds a bachelor's degree from IHM Lucknow.

As the Executive Chef, Parashar will lead the culinary operations at The Leela Palace Jaipur, curating exceptional menus that celebrate regional flavors while maintaining the highest culinary standards.

Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Director of Finance

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Sandeep Kumar Sharma joins with extensive experience in financial management, having held key positions at Hilton Jaipur, The Leela Palace New Delhi, and Trident properties in Chennai and Hyderabad. Sharma’s ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and his expertise in strategic planning have been hallmarks of his career.

A commerce graduate from Rajasthan University, Sharma will oversee financial strategies at The Leela Palace Jaipur, ensuring the hotel's fiscal health and operational efficiency.

Tanuj Shokeen, Director of Sales and Marketing

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With over 15 years in the hospitality industry, Tanuj Shokeen has a proven track record in driving sales performance and engaging stakeholders across various markets. Before joining The Leela Palace Jaipur, he served as the Director of Sales at Taj - Jai Mahal Palace Jaipur. Shokeen holds a PGDM in Marketing and International Business from AIMA and a bachelor's degree in commerce from Delhi University.

In his new role, Shokeen will focus on enhancing sales strategies, revenue management, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring The Leela Palace Jaipur strengthens its position as a leader in the luxury hospitality market.

These appointments mark a significant step forward for The Leela Palace Jaipur, as the new leaders bring their expertise and passion to take the property’s guest experiences and operational excellence to new heights.


Hilton Bengaluru Manyata Business Park Appoints Owaize Ahmed Khan as Executive Chef

Hilton Bengaluru Manyata Business Park Appoints Owaize Ahmed Khan as Executive Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 18, 2026

Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park has announced the appointment of Owaize Ahmed Khan as its new Executive Chef. With over 17 years of experience in luxury hospitality, he brings strong expertise in culinary innovation, menu development, and operational management.

Chef Khan joins the property after leading culinary operations at several well-known hotels, including Hyatt Regency Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Novotel Bengaluru, Radisson Noida, Radisson Temple Bay Resort, Sheraton Grand Chennai, The Star Sydney, Rixos The Palm Dubai, and Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi. Over the years, he has been involved in creating signature menus, managing multi-outlet food and beverage operations, and improving efficiency while maintaining high levels of guest satisfaction.

In his new role, he will oversee culinary operations across five signature restaurants and the hotel’s large banquet facilities. Known for his creative approach and team leadership, he will focus on delivering quality dining experiences while maintaining operational efficiency and food safety standards.

Commenting on the appointment, Sujeet Kumar, General Manager, said, "We are happy to welcome Chef Owaize Ahmed Khan to Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park. His wealth of experience, creativity, and leadership will elevate our culinary offerings and provide our guests with memorable dining experiences that reflect both global and local flavors."

Chef Owaize Ahmed Khan said, "I am thrilled to join Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park and contribute to creating unique culinary experiences for our guests. My focus will be on blending global flavors with local ingredients to provide memorable dining moments for both business and leisure travelers."


Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Amit Kumar as Director of Engineering

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Amit Kumar as Director of Engineering

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 18, 2026

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has announced the appointment of Amit Kumar as its new Director of Engineering. With over 17 years of experience in hospitality engineering, he joins the hotel with strong expertise in managing operations and infrastructure.

In his new role, Amit will oversee engineering operations, maintenance systems, sustainability initiatives, and overall infrastructure management. His focus will be on ensuring high standards of safety, operational efficiency, and guest comfort across the property.

Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Amit served as Director of Engineering at Holiday Inn Cochin, where he led the engineering team for three years. During his tenure, he contributed to maintaining smooth operations and implementing efficient engineering practices.

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Over the years, Amit has worked with several well-known hospitality brands across India, including Jaypee Hotels & Resorts in Greater Noida and Mussoorie, Radisson Gurugram, The Leela Gurugram, Crowne Plaza Pune, and Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad. His experience across multiple brands has helped him build strong technical knowledge along with leadership skills in hotel engineering management.

Commenting on the appointment, Sharad Upadhyay, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Amit Kumar to the Crowne Plaza Greater Noida family. His deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and extensive experience in hotel engineering will be a valuable asset to our team. We are confident that Amit will play a key role in further strengthening our engineering operations and supporting the hotel’s commitment to operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences."

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida looks forward to Amit’s contribution as the hotel continues to deliver quality hospitality experiences for its guests.


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.

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