The Residency Group of Hotels Crowned Overall Champions at SICA Culinary Competition

The Residency Group of Hotels Crowned Overall Champions at  SICA Culinary Competition

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 6, 2025

The Residency Group of Hotels has emerged as the Overall Champion, Best Hotel Team at the prestigious South India Chef’s Association (SICA) culinary competition held at Chennai Trade Centre, marking a momentous achievement in the region's most esteemed culinary event.

Competing across 22 diverse categories, team Residency (both culinary and service) showcased exceptional skill and creativity, securing a remarkable 8 Gold, 21 Silver and 30 Bronze medals. Categories ranged from Plated Appetizers, Regional Cuisine, Wedding Cakes, and Plated Desserts to Petit Fours, Innovative Biryani, Dress a Cake, Three-Course Set Dinner, Cocktails and Mocktails, Artistic Pastry Showpieces, and Butter or Margarine Carvings.

This is Asia’s biggest culinary competition spreading over 3 days and this time the participation response has been overwhelming with more than 3200 chefs including culinary students from 6 different countries participated out of which a total of 55 talented chefs represented The Residency Group, making it one of the largest participating hotel teams in the competition. The jury panel comprised of 22 judges invited from 9 countries.

This outstanding success is a testament to the leadership and mentorship of Chef Manoj and Chef John Milton, who spearheaded the team’s month-long preparation. Their hands-on training, deep expertise, and unwavering dedication played a crucial role in honing the participants’ skills, refining their techniques, and instilling the confidence needed to excel under pressure.

“This achievement is a reflection of the passion, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines our culinary team,” said Ajeeth Janardhanan - Culinary Director at The Residency Group of Hotels. “From the first day of training to the final presentation at the competition, our chefs demonstrated not only technical brilliance but also creativity and teamwork. Winning the Overall Champion title at SICA is a proud moment for us, and a testament to the high standards we uphold across our kitchens.”

This landmark achievement further cements The Residency Group of Hotels as a leading force in South India’s hospitality and in culinary landscape.

About Residency Group:

Presenting world-class boutique hotels in South India, our hotels exude the cultural ethos of the land. Living up to its moniker, The Residency hotels in India offers unparallel and phenomenal spaces for a homely living experience. From elegant cities like Chennai and Coimbatore to charming towns like Karur, Puducherry and Rameswaram, The Residency promises beautifully curated experiences for its discerning guests.


Suba Hotels Commences Operations of Click Collection Hotel in Gangtok

Suba Hotels Commences Operations of Click Collection Hotel in Gangtok

By Hariharan U

Published on December 31, 2025

Suba Hotels has officially commenced operations of Click Collection Hotel, Gangtok, marking its second landmark presence in the capital city of Sikkim. The new property strengthens the group’s growing footprint in the Northeast and reinforces its focus on delivering contemporary hospitality in emerging leisure destinations.

Strategically located at Bojoghari, Indra Bypass Road, near the helipad and within easy reach of popular attractions such as MG Marg and Tsomgo Lake, Click Collection Hotel Gangtok offers travellers a comfortable base to explore the city while enjoying scenic valley views. The hotel is designed to cater to both leisure and business travellers seeking modern comforts in a relaxed mountain setting.

The property features 42 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, blending functional design with warm interiors suited for today’s urban traveller. Guests can expect well-appointed amenities, attentive service, and a stay experience aligned with Suba Hotels’ signature standards of efficiency and comfort.

With its convenient location, contemporary rooms and focus on guest-centric service, Click Collection Hotel Gangtok aims to become a preferred choice for visitors travelling to Sikkim for holidays, business trips or short city getaways. The opening also reflects Suba Hotels’ continued expansion strategy across key tourism-driven and emerging markets in India.

As travel demand to Northeast India continues to rise, the launch of Click Collection Hotel Gangtok positions Suba Hotels to tap into the region’s growing popularity while offering travellers a reliable and comfortable hospitality option in the heart of Gangtok.


Six Ways to Celebrate the Festive Season the Reserve Way at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Six Ways to Celebrate the Festive Season the Reserve Way at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

By Author

Published on December 29, 2025

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, invites discerning travellers to celebrate the festive season in an atmosphere of timeless rituals, refined gastronomy, and serene natural beauty along the untouched shores of the Andaman Sea. This year-end, the ultra-luxury retreat presents six thoughtfully curated experiences that blend cultural authenticity, culinary excellence, and meaningful moments of celebration.

The festive journey begins with a sacred traditional Buddhist monk blessing at Sala Srichan, coinciding with Phulay Bay’s 16th anniversary of warm hospitality. As the sun sets over the sea, guests are welcomed with cocktails followed by a special anniversary dinner inspired by the four elements—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire—artfully crafted by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Christian Herrgesell.

Christmas Eve at Phulay Bay is marked by one of the resort’s most enchanting traditions, as Santa arrives by long-tail boat at sunset. The day unfolds with a festive breakfast, engaging children’s workshops, and culminates in an elegant Christmas Eve dinner under the stars at Jampoon, where classic holiday flavours are reimagined with a tropical twist.

On Christmas Day, the celebration continues with “Gifts from the Grove,” a showcase of handcrafted ornaments by local artisans, family-friendly activities, and a vibrant Christmas Buffet and Market Fair on the Pool Lawn. Guests can enjoy gourmet food stations and a lively festive ambience beneath the night sky.

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For those seeking an elevated culinary experience, the Intimate Champagne Pairing Evening on 28 December offers an exclusive dinner for just 20 guests at Sala Srichan. A refined four-course menu is paired with exceptional Ruinart champagnes, creating an evening of elegance, artistry, and indulgence.

New Year’s Eve transports guests back in time with “A Night of Siam,” inspired by the era of King Rama VI, when Western elegance merged seamlessly with Siamese grace. The evening features sunset cocktails, a grand gala dinner with cultural performances, and transitions into a beachfront countdown party with live DJ music and fireworks illuminating the Andaman Sea.

As midnight approaches, celebrations move to the sandy shores of Chomtawan Bar, where festive cocktails, energetic music, and a spectacular fireworks display welcome 2026 in signature Phulay Bay style. The festivities conclude on a serene note with a New Year’s Day brunch at Jampoon, followed by the traditional Thai monk offering ceremony, Tak Bat—a meaningful ritual symbolising gratitude, generosity, and new beginnings.


A First for Indian Hospitality: Taj Exotica Goa and Tata Power Champion Clean Energy Storage

A First for Indian Hospitality: Taj Exotica Goa and Tata Power Champion Clean Energy Storage

By Author

Published on December 28, 2025

In a landmark step towards sustainable luxury, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa has partnered with Tata Power to implement one of the most advanced Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the Indian hospitality sector. This initiative marks Tata Power’s first BESS deployment in the hospitality industry and positions Taj Exotica Goa as the first hotel in India to adopt this pioneering clean energy solution.

With an approximate storage capacity of 2 MW, the BESS project represents a significant milestone in IHCL’s decarbonisation journey under Paathya, aligned with the Tata Group’s Aalingana vision for climate-positive growth. The installation has been executed by Tata Power following detailed technical feasibility studies, with an investment of approximately ₹3.50 crore and projected annual savings of around ₹1.50 crore, while substantially reducing dependence on diesel-based power generation.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Sheetal Singh, Area Director – South Goa and General Manager, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa, said:
“Sustainability is at the core of our ethos at Taj Exotica, Goa. The BESS project is an exemplary step in modernising the way hospitality manages energy. By reducing diesel dependence and enhancing power reliability, we are embracing innovation that directly contributes to a greener, more resilient future for our hotel and our community.”

The system is expected to reduce nearly 2 lakh litres of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) annually, leading to a substantial drop in carbon emissions and operational costs. Beyond financial and environmental benefits, the BESS improves power quality, minimises generator runtime, and significantly lowers air emissions.

Given Taj Exotica Goa’s multi-source power ecosystem, comprising grid supply, diesel generators, and solar energy, a sophisticated interlocking and protection system was jointly developed with Tata Power. This includes automated source prioritisation logic, prevention of backfeed and overload, real-time monitoring, advanced safety cut-offs, thermal and surge protection, emergency shutdown protocols, and manual override operations.

To ensure uninterrupted guest comfort and electrical stability, comprehensive safety simulations and load-bank tests were conducted. The physical installation was completed in mid-November 2025, followed by full-load testing, where the system demonstrated stable discharge curves and precise switching performance.

The engineering team, led by Mr. Athen Chellappa, Area Director Engineering – Goa, carried out extensive simulations of power outage scenarios. These validated automatic diesel generator synchronisation, priority-based charging from solar and grid sources, interlocking accuracy, changeover timings, and internet connectivity critical for cloud-linked operations. The system is further supported by an interactive digital dashboard offering real-time energy flow visibility, battery health diagnostics, predictive maintenance alerts, and detailed historical reports on consumption and savings.

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Summarising the impact of the project, Mr. Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice President – Operations, IHCL Goa, stated:
“The BESS project at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa is not just an engineering achievement—it is a defining moment in our sustainability journey. By embracing cutting-edge technology and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we are setting new benchmarks for responsible luxury. This initiative reflects our belief that the future of hospitality is clean, resilient, and climate-conscious, and we are proud to pioneer that change.”

With this breakthrough collaboration, Taj Exotica Goa and Tata Power have set a powerful precedent for the Indian hospitality industry, demonstrating how innovation, sustainability, and luxury can seamlessly converge to shape a cleaner and more resilient future.

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