Shilton Hospitality has announced the appointment of Antony Rohan Parish as corporate chef for its Watson’s Cantina brand, marking a strategic move to strengthen the brand’s culinary direction and operational consistency across outlets.

In his new role, Parish will lead Watson’s Cantina’s overall culinary strategy, with a focus on menu development, brand consistency, kitchen efficiency and guest-centric dining experiences. A key part of his mandate includes the creation of an authentic yet contemporary Latin American–inspired menu, aimed at further reinforcing the brand’s culinary identity.

Parish brings with him over 28 years of experience across hospitality, corporate food operations and international cruise lines. His career spans senior leadership roles in diverse environments, where he has overseen high-volume kitchens, multi-unit operations and large culinary teams.

His professional journey includes roles such as vice president – operations at Trip Villas International Pvt. Ltd., corporate chef at MRG Group, and senior sous chef with Carnival Cruise Inc., Miami. Across these positions, Parish has built a reputation for operational discipline, culinary innovation and team leadership.

Commenting on his appointment, Antony Rohan Parish said, “I am excited to join Shilton Hospitality and take on the responsibility of shaping Watson’s Cantina’s culinary journey. I look forward to working closely with the teams to build a strong, consistent and guest-focused food experience that supports the brand’s growth and vision.”

The appointment is expected to support Watson’s Cantina’s expansion plans while ensuring a cohesive dining experience rooted in bold flavours and contemporary Latin American influences

Tmt. J. Innocent Divya, IAS, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Tourism and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), marking an important leadership transition for the state’s tourism sector.

Prior to taking charge of tourism, J. Innocent Divya served as Commissioner of Technical Education, where she played a key role in policy execution, institutional strengthening and administrative reforms. Her tenure in the education department was marked by a focus on governance efficiency and system-level improvements.

With her experience across public administration and policy implementation, the appointment is expected to bring a renewed strategic approach to tourism development in Tamil Nadu. The state’s tourism ecosystem, which spans heritage, culture, coastal destinations and emerging experiential travel, stands to benefit from a leadership focus on innovation, infrastructure coordination and visitor-centric initiatives.

As Commissioner and MD of TTDC, J. Innocent Divya will oversee tourism promotion, destination development and operational initiatives aimed at enhancing Tamil Nadu’s position as one of India’s leading tourism destinations. Her administrative background is also expected to support stronger inter-departmental coordination and sustainable growth of the sector.

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Sonale Zagade as its new General Manager, marking a significant leadership transition for the premium business hotel on Ashram Road.

A seasoned hospitality professional with over 20 years of industry experience, Sonale brings with her more than 13 years within the Hyatt ecosystem. She joins Ahmedabad from Hyatt Regency Gurgaon, where she served as General Manager, and has previously held senior leadership roles at Hyatt Regency Chennai, Hyatt Regency Mumbai, and Grand Hyatt Mumbai.

Known for her strong operational expertise and people-centric leadership style, Sonale’s approach focuses on warm, personalised service and anticipating evolving guest expectations across rooms, dining, and events. Her vision includes positioning Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad as a preferred destination for both business and leisure travellers through curated culinary experiences and cultural collaborations with local partners.

Equally committed to internal culture, Sonale aims to foster an environment where teams feel supported, motivated, and empowered to deliver consistent service excellence. Her leadership philosophy places strong emphasis on trust, attention to detail, and long-term guest relationships.

Sustainability and responsible growth form a key part of her agenda. Under her leadership, the hotel will continue to strengthen sustainable practices across operations while balancing commercial performance with environmental and community well-being. Leveraging the property’s contemporary design and expansive event spaces, she plans to further enhance the hotel’s positioning for stays, dining, meetings, and celebrations.

“Ahmedabad is an exciting and evolving market, and Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad is well placed to grow with it. My priority is to support and develop our people, refine our product to meet modern guest expectations, and build deeper connections with the community and travellers who choose our hotel,” said Sonale Zagade.

Strategically located overlooking the Sabarmati Riverfront, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad is regarded as one of the city’s leading business hotels, known for its modern design, refined dining offerings, and warm hospitality.