Waikiki in Mumbai Welcomes Harpreet Singh Bhatti as New Head Chef

Waikiki in Mumbai Welcomes Harpreet Singh Bhatti as New Head Chef

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 22, 2024

Peninsula Hospitality has named Harpreet Singh Bhatti as the new Head Chef of Waikiki, its contemporary dining and tiki bar in Mumbai. Waikiki, which recently launched, brings a taste of Hawaiian culture to the city, offering a unique blend of flavors and dining experiences.

Chef Harpreet brings over a decade of culinary experience to his new role. He started his career at the prestigious Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, where he trained under renowned Japanese chefs, including Masaki Kobayashi-san, at the Wasabi by Morimoto restaurant. This early experience greatly influenced his approach to cooking, blending Japanese precision with Hawaiian flair.

At Waikiki, Chef Harpreet is set to innovate the menu by combining traditional Hawaiian flavors with modern techniques. One of the highlights of his culinary style is Robatoyaki, a traditional Japanese charcoal grilling technique, which he plans to integrate into the restaurant's offerings. His vision is to create dishes that capture the vibrant spirit of aloha while offering a dining experience that is both unique and memorable.

Chef Harpreet expressed his excitement about his new role, stating, "My journey began with a passion for creating memorable dining experiences, and my association with Waikiki is sure to enhance my culinary journey. I look forward to bringing the vibrant spirit of aloha to life in this exciting new chapter."

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Waikiki, located in a lush, two-story setting, is known for its tropical ambiance and innovative menu. Originally crafted by Executive Chef David Cagle, the menu reflects a fusion of global ingredients and techniques while honoring the dynamic food culture of Mumbai. As the sun sets, Waikiki transforms into an enchanting paradise, offering an unforgettable culinary journey with its unique blend of Hawaiian and Japanese influences.

With Chef Harpreet at the helm, Waikiki is poised to become a culinary destination in Mumbai, where guests can enjoy a refined yet vibrant dining experience.


Holiday Inn Gurugram Appoints Rishabh Jain

Holiday Inn Gurugram Appoints Rishabh Jain

By Hariharan U

Published on April 20, 2026

Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 has announced the appointment of Rishabh Jain as its new General Manager, marking a strategic leadership addition as the property looks to strengthen its operations and market positioning.

With over 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rishabh brings a balanced mix of operational expertise, sales leadership, and strategic insight to the role. His appointment aligns with the hotel’s focus on driving performance while maintaining strong service standards.

Prior to this, he served as Hotel Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Jaipur, where he played a key role during the pre-opening phase and later led the hotel’s growth trajectory over three years. His experience in handling both launch and scale-up phases adds depth to his leadership profile.

In his new role, Rishabh will oversee all aspects of operations at Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, including financial performance, team development, guest experience, and overall brand positioning in a competitive market.

He also brings prior experience with IHG Hotels & Resorts, having spent nearly six years across multiple cities in key operational and leadership roles. Over the years, he has been associated with leading hospitality brands such as Taj Hotels, Marriott International, and The Lalit, further strengthening his industry exposure.

Known for his collaborative leadership style, Rishabh has consistently focused on service excellence while delivering strong business outcomes. His expertise spans hotel pre-openings, business ramp-ups, post-pandemic recovery strategies, as well as revenue management and sales operations.

Academically, he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Tourism Management from Vivekanand Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management, Rajkot.

Commenting on his appointment, Rishabh said, “I am delighted to join Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 and look forward to working with the team to build on the hotel’s strong legacy, deliver memorable guest experiences, and drive sustained growth.”

Welcoming him to the role, Pankaj Gupta, Area General Manager, South West Asia at IHG and General Manager at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar, noted that  Rishabh’s leadership capabilities and deep operational understanding make him well-suited to lead the property into its next phase of growth.


Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 18, 2026

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad has announced the promotion of Chef Suresh Rajan Pillai as Head Chef, marking an important step in his journey with the property. The move recognises his contribution to shaping the hotel’s culinary identity and his consistent focus on innovation.

Chef Suresh, who was previously serving as Chef de Cuisine, has been leading the culinary direction at Mazzo, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Over time, he has brought a fresh perspective to South Indian cuisine, presenting it in a way that connects tradition with a more contemporary style.

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A graduate of Oriental Catering College of Hotel Management, Madurai, Chef Suresh combines strong technical knowledge with a personal approach to cooking. His philosophy is built around the idea that every dish tells a story, drawing inspiration from the cultural roots of Madurai, the coastal flavours of Kerala, and his Malaysian background. This mix reflects clearly in his menus, which offer a modern take on familiar South Indian dishes.

During his time at Mazzo, he has introduced a range of curated dining experiences that have helped strengthen the restaurant’s presence in Hyderabad. From traditional Onam Sadhyas to specially designed Navratri menus featuring over 40 saatvik dishes, his work highlights both cultural authenticity and thoughtful presentation. Dishes like Venad Paal Konju, jackfruit masala wrapped in banana leaf, and his Malabar Feast have stood out for bringing together familiar flavours with a new approach.

His role has also been key in refreshing Mazzo’s overall menu, turning it into a go-to destination for modern South Indian dining. By combining regional influences with evolving culinary techniques, the restaurant continues to appeal to a wide range of guests.

Chef Suresh’s work has also been recognised at a national level, including the Chef of the Year award at the Restaurant India Awards 2026.

In his new role as Head Chef, he will lead the overall culinary operations of the property, focusing on strengthening its food and beverage offerings while continuing to highlight regional Indian cuisines through creative and engaging dining experiences.


Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida Appoints Bharat Khanna as Front Office Manager

Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida Appoints Bharat Khanna as Front Office Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on April 17, 2026

Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida has announced the appointment of Bharat Khanna as its new Front Office Manager, further strengthening its operational leadership team.

With over 15 years of experience in hospitality operations, Bharat Khanna brings deep expertise in front office management, guest services, and team leadership. His career spans leading hotel brands, including Taj Mahal New Delhi, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, and Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini, where he has consistently delivered high standards of guest experience and operational excellence.

In his new role, he will oversee all front office operations, ensuring seamless guest journeys while upholding the brand’s service standards. His core competencies include guest relations, problem resolution, OTA and channel management, group bookings coordination, and business forecasting.

Known for his ability to mentor and inspire teams, Bharat has built a reputation for fostering a culture of performance and professionalism. His experience in managing VIP services, executive lounges, and high-profile guest interactions further strengthens his approach to enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty.

Commenting on the appointment, Anurag Rai said, “We are delighted to welcome Bharat to Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida. His extensive experience and passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences make him a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

Sharing his perspective, Bharat Khanna said, “I am excited to be part of Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida and look forward to contributing to the brand’s commitment to service excellence while working closely with the team to create memorable guest experiences.”

With this appointment, the hotel continues to reinforce its focus on operational excellence and guest-centric service, aligning with evolving expectations in the hospitality sector

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