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.


Novotel Cairo Airport Marks World Oceans Day with ‘From the Nile to the Ocean’ Initiative

Novotel Cairo Airport Marks World Oceans Day with ‘From the Nile to the Ocean’ Initiative

By Hariharan U

Published on June 25, 2026

Novotel Cairo Airport commemorated World Oceans Day with its "From the Nile to the Ocean" initiative, a sustainability-focused programme designed to highlight the connection between local environmental responsibility and global marine conservation.

The initiative brought together wellness, education, and responsible dining experiences to encourage greater awareness of the importance of protecting water resources. Through the campaign, the hotel sought to demonstrate how local actions can contribute to broader environmental preservation efforts.

The day began with an outdoor yoga session overlooking the Nile River, creating a reflective and mindful setting for participants. The wellness activity reinforced the campaign's message that meaningful environmental change begins with individual awareness and conscious choices.

Following the yoga session, hotel associates participated in an interactive educational presentation focused on water conservation and ocean safety. The discussion highlighted the role local waterways play in supporting larger marine ecosystems and emphasized the importance of protecting rivers such as the Nile as part of a global sustainability effort.

As part of the celebration, Novotel Cairo Airport's culinary team curated a special menu centred on fresh, local, and responsibly sourced ingredients. Served poolside, the dining experience showcased how sustainable sourcing and conscious food choices can contribute to environmental stewardship while supporting local communities.

By integrating wellness activities, environmental education, and sustainable dining into a single initiative, the hotel aimed to create a holistic experience that encouraged participants to reflect on their relationship with natural resources and the environment.

The programme further reinforces Novotel Cairo Airport's commitment to responsible hospitality and sustainability, while supporting Accor's broader vision of promoting environmentally conscious practices across its global portfolio.

Through initiatives such as "From the Nile to the Ocean," the hotel continues to engage both its team members and guests in conversations around sustainability, inspiring collective action toward the protection of vital water ecosystems and the preservation of the planet's natural resources.


The Forum Hotel & Convention Centre Celebrates International Yoga Day with Wellness Morning in Ahmedabad

The Forum Hotel & Convention Centre Celebrates International Yoga Day with Wellness Morning in Ahmedabad

By Hariharan U

Published on June 24, 2026

The Forum Hotel & Convention Centre marked International Yoga Day with a thoughtfully curated wellness initiative that brought together guests, wellness enthusiasts, and hotel associates for a morning dedicated to mindfulness and holistic wellbeing in Ahmedabad.

The event featured a guided yoga and meditation session designed to encourage participants to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and embrace balance in an increasingly fast-paced lifestyle. Attendees from different age groups took part in yoga asanas, breathwork exercises, and mindfulness practices in a calm and energising environment.

Positioned as a community-focused initiative, the celebration reflected the growing importance of wellness in modern hospitality experiences. The session aimed to create a shared space where participants could prioritise both physical and mental wellbeing while taking a conscious break from daily routines.

Speaking about the initiative, Kalpesh Prajapati, Managing Director of The Forum Hotel & Convention Centre, highlighted that wellness has evolved from being an occasional luxury to an essential part of contemporary living and travel. He emphasised the hotel’s commitment to creating experiences that promote mindfulness, balance, and overall wellbeing within the community.

As wellness continues to shape the hospitality landscape, The Forum Hotel & Convention Centre has been focusing on experiences that extend beyond accommodation and events, encouraging meaningful engagement with both guests and the wider Ahmedabad community.

The International Yoga Day celebration concluded with healthy refreshments and informal interactions among participants, reinforcing the importance of conscious living and collective wellbeing.


The Leela Gandhinagar Marks International Yoga Day with Wellness-Focused Celebration

The Leela Gandhinagar Marks International Yoga Day with Wellness-Focused Celebration

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 23, 2026

The Leela Gandhinagar celebrated International Yoga Day with a thoughtfully curated wellness experience that encouraged guests to slow down, reconnect, and embrace a more mindful way of living. Inspired by Aujasya by The Leela, the brand's philosophy centred on vitality, balance, and mindful living, the event brought together guests, wellness enthusiasts, and hotel associates for a morning dedicated to holistic wellbeing.

Hosted within the serene surroundings of the hotel, the programme went beyond physical exercise to focus on mindfulness and self-awareness. Participants took part in guided yoga sessions, mindful breathing exercises, and moments of quiet reflection, creating an environment that encouraged relaxation and inner balance.

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The experience was designed around the belief that true wellbeing is built through meaningful and enriching moments. As the session concluded, guests were invited to continue their wellness journey with an Aujasya-inspired breakfast featuring wholesome dishes, fresh fruits, herbal infusions, and nutritious selections curated to complement the spirit of the occasion.

The event reflected the holistic wellness approach of Aujasya, where movement, nourishment, and mindfulness come together to promote renewal and personal wellbeing. Through the experience, participants were encouraged to pause from their daily routines, recharge, and adopt a more balanced lifestyle.

Commenting on the occasion, Vikas Sood, General Manager, The Leela Gandhinagar, said, “Wellbeing is increasingly becoming an essential part of how people choose to live, travel, and engage with the world around them. Through Aujasya-inspired experiences, we aim to create meaningful opportunities that encourage balance, mindfulness, and a sense of inner renewal. International Yoga Day offered a wonderful occasion to celebrate this philosophy and share it with our guests and associates.”

As wellness continues to play a growing role in luxury hospitality, The Leela Gandhinagar remains focused on creating experiences that blend authentic hospitality with mindful living. Guided by the principles of Aujasya, the hotel continues to offer opportunities for guests to reconnect with themselves through thoughtful and restorative experiences.

More than a celebration of yoga, the event served as a reminder of the importance of mindfulness, nourishment, and inner balance in creating a healthier and more fulfilling way of life.

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