Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Deepak Rawat as its new General Manager, marking a significant leadership addition at one of Goa’s most iconic luxury destinations.

With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Deepak brings a strong mix of operational expertise, commercial insight, and a people-first leadership approach. Over the years, he has led teams across both international and Indian hotel brands, consistently delivering elevated guest experiences while driving business performance.

His career spans palace hotels, destination resorts, and city properties, giving him a well-rounded perspective on diverse hospitality formats. Known for his passion for Food & Beverage innovation, Deepak has played a key role in conceptualising and leading award-winning dining experiences, reinforcing his focus on creating immersive and memorable guest journeys.

Speaking on his appointment, Deepak Rawat said, “Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa is more than a destination; it is a legacy that resonates across generations. I look forward to building on this strong foundation and creating thoughtful, immersive experiences that stay true to the essence of Tajness.”

Welcoming him, Javed Deshmukh highlighted the importance of the appointment, noting that the resort has been a cornerstone of Goa’s hospitality landscape since 1974 and continues to hold a special legacy in the region.

In his new role, Deepak will focus on enhancing guest experiences, driving innovation across Food & Beverage, integrating sustainable practices, and strengthening overall operational performance. His leadership is expected to further elevate the resort’s positioning while shaping a future-ready vision rooted in excellence and collaboration.

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri has announced the appointment of Rakib Hussain as Director of Sales, reinforcing its leadership team as the hotel continues to strengthen its presence in the market.

With over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rakib brings a strong commercial outlook and a proven ability to drive revenue growth across corporate and MICE segments. Known for his strategic thinking and people-first leadership approach, he has consistently built high-performing teams and delivered sustained business results.

Prior to this role, he served as Cluster Associate Director of Sales at Andaz Delhi, where he played a key role in strengthening client relationships and expanding business opportunities. His career also includes significant tenures at Hyatt Regency Gurgaon and Hyatt Regency Chennai, giving him a well-rounded understanding of diverse markets and customer segments.

In his new role, Rakib will lead the hotel’s sales strategy, focusing on driving revenue across segments while further enhancing the property’s positioning in a competitive hospitality landscape.

Speaking on his appointment, Rakib Hussain said, “The opportunity to create meaningful guest experiences and inspire teams to push boundaries every day is what keeps me going.”

His appointment reflects Hyatt’s continued focus on building a dynamic and forward-looking leadership team aligned with its growth ambitions.

Strengthening its culinary leadership, Chrome Asia Hospitality has appointed Chef Chirag Makwana as Corporate Executive Chef. In his new role, he will oversee the culinary direction across key brands, including Late Checkout and Lyla BKC, while also spearheading new dining concepts set to launch in 2026.

Chef Chirag brings with him a globally influenced culinary perspective, rooted in bold simplicity and experiential dining. His appointment marks a significant step in evolving the group’s food narrative, aligning with its vision of creating experience-led hospitality formats.

At Late Checkout, a high-energy, cocktail-driven destination known for its inventive bar program and global influences, Chef Chirag introduces a refined Japanese-European culinary direction. His approach blends precision with bold flavours, crafting dishes that complement the bar experience while standing out as a key attraction on their own.

At Lyla BKC, his focus shifts towards a more relaxed, all-day dining format. Here, the menu is designed to offer comfort and refinement, creating dishes that encourage repeat visits while staying true to the brand’s identity. Across both venues, his philosophy centres on building menus that resonate with contemporary diners while maintaining distinct culinary voices.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Chef Chirag began his culinary journey in his mother’s kitchen before moving to Canada at the age of 18 for formal training. He graduated with honours in Culinary Management from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute and went on to work alongside renowned chefs such as Massimo Capra, Michael Bonacini, and Tony De Luca. He also holds the prestigious Red Seal Chef Certification.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Chef Chirag said that his approach to food focuses on clarity of flavour and intent, taking simple elements and elevating them to create something exciting. He highlighted that while Late Checkout explores a bold Japanese-European direction designed to complement the bar experience, Lyla BKC focuses on comfort-driven dishes that guests return to.

Commenting on the appointment, Co-Founder Pawan Shahri emphasised that a strong culinary voice is essential for building memorable dining experiences. He noted that Chef Chirag’s combination of technical expertise and creative instinct makes him well-suited to lead the next phase of growth for the group.

With this strategic appointment, Chrome Asia Hospitality continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering distinctive dining experiences where food, beverage, and ambience come together seamlessly under a unified creative vision.

About Chrome Asia Hospitality:

Founded in 2019 by Pawan Shahri and Nikita Shahri, Chrome Asia Hospitality is a full-scale hospitality company focused on building experience-driven restaurant concepts across India. The group’s portfolio includes popular dining destinations such as Late Checkout, Gigi Bombay, Lyla Bombay, EVE, Shy, and Donna Deli, reflecting a global-first approach to food, design, and culture.