Paul Noronha Appointed As Executive Chef At ITC Maratha Hotel, Mumbai

ITC Maratha, the epitome of luxury hospitality in Mumbai, announces the appointment of Chef Paul Noronha as its Executive Chef. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years, this Mumbai native Chef brings unparalleled expertise and creativity to his new role, promising to elevate culinary experiences to unprecedented heights at the hotel.

Chef Paul’s tryst with food started during his diploma at Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Mumbai, where he honed his skills and passion for the culinary arts. Paul’s dedication and talent were further nurtured during his tenure at ITC hotels, where he underwent rigorous training at the WelcomGroup Management Institute, Gurgaon.

Growing with the brands expanding portfolio, Chef Paul worked through the kitchens of ITC Hotels in Delhi to Chennai, catering to the discerning palates of famed ITC Hotels kitchens to patrons which included dignitaries and heads of state like former President of the United States. His culinary prowess was recognized with accolades such as the ‘Smart Chef of the Year award’ during his tenure at Sheraton Chola Chennai.

Returning to his roots, Chef Paul assumed the role of Executive Chef at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai, where his innovative culinary creations and leadership earned him the prestigious Executive Chef of the Year award for two consecutive years.

Now, as the culinary maven behind ITC Maratha's gastronomic offerings, Chef Paul is poised to redefine luxury dining experiences in Mumbai. In many ways this assignment is special to Chef Paul, as it ignites a sense of ‘Homecoming’ nostalgia, since he was the part of pre-opening team heading operations for all- day dining restaurant Peshwa Pavilion, back in 2001 at ITC Maratha.

In his new role, Chef Paul shoulders a big responsibility with two new restaurants Avartana & Yi Jing at ITC Maratha, while driving the cuisine excellence at legacy restaurants Peshawri & Dum Pukht. Chef Paul will be leading a team of talented culinary professionals, focused on curating exquisite menus that celebrate local flavors while embracing global influences; across all dining experiences for the patrons.

We are thrilled to welcome Chef Paul Noronha to the ITC Maratha family," said Bhagwan Balani, General Manager of ITC Maratha. His exceptional culinary talent and unwavering commitment to excellence perfectly align with our ethos of delivering consistent gastronomic repertoire.

Vishal K. Pujari appointed as Director of Loss Prevention for The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet, Mumbai – Marriott Executive Apartments

The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet, Mumbai – Marriott Executive Apartments announces the appointment of Vishal K. Pujari as the new Director of Loss Prevention.

With over 23 years of extensive experience in the security sector, corporate affairs, operational compliances, crisis management, and safety-related successes, Pujari brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.

Pujari is highly skilled in loss prevention, risk management, fire life safety, auditing, operational design planning, and the implementation of strategic security programs. He is acknowledged for exceptional performance in process improvements, change management, and facilitation of multiple projects while ensuring operational compliance with local laws and regulations.

In addition to his professional qualifications, Pujari is known for his affable, optimistic, and enthusiastic personality. The key lesson he has learned in the industry has been cultural awareness, which he has consistently applied throughout his career.

In his previous roles, Pujari has effectively overseen the operation of commercial and residential complexes, managed facility teams, conducted property audits for safety, supervised procurement management teams, and liaised with government officers from different sectors. His experience as Cluster Security Head and Director of Corporate Affairs at esteemed organizations such as Duet India Hotels showcases his strategic acumen and commitment to maintaining safety and security standards.

Pujari holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mumbai University and has undergone specialized training in fire-fighting, first aid, disaster management, and emergency rescue operations. He holds certifications including International Crime Prevention Specialist (ICPS), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Security Manager (CSM), Lead Auditor ISO 45001 OHSMS.

Throughout his career, Pujari has received several accolades and awards for his outstanding performance, including the Taj Annual Business Excellence Award and GSTS Excellence Awards. He is an active member of esteemed organizations such as the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners, ASIS International, Overseas Security Advisory Council and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

In his new role as Director of Loss Prevention, Pujari will oversee all aspects of security and loss prevention operations at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet, ensuring the safety and security of guests, employees, and assets.

“We welcome Vishal K. Pujari to our team,” said, Hemant Tenneti, General Manager of The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet. “His extensive experience and proven track record in the security sector make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. We look forward to working with Pujari to enhance our security measures and ensure a safe and secure environment for our guests and employees.” 

ITC Maratha, Mumbai appoints Saransh Mehan as the Food & Beverage Manager.

In its commitment to people growth vision 2023, ITC Maratha Mumbai appoints; Saransh Mehan as the Food & Beverage Manager for its 380 rooms & 7 Restaurants and Bars, large scale luxury operations.

Prior to this role, Saransh was associated with ITC Grand Goa as the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager; and holds an impressive business track record of 5 years with the group.

A seasoned hospitality professional with over a decade of experience in food & beverage in the hospitality, Saransh’s well-rounded experience makes him the ideal leader for this key role where his responsibilities will include managing a host of branded cuisine outposts of the group such as Dum Pukht and Peshawri; and soon to launch Avartana and Yi Jing.

A native of Delhi, Saransh started his career as the STEP under-trainee from Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development- The Oberio Vanyavilas, before moving two major new opening projects The Ritz Carlton Bangalore and JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. Apart from this, he also has had an international stint with Hotel Emirates Palace Kempinski- Abu Dhabi and later with Lite Bite Foods, adding perspective to his well-rounded approach to the world of dining.

He considers his soft-skills in people management as his biggest strength; creating memories for guests through unique dining experiences has always fascinated Saransh. He thrives on developing new ideas and concepts, innovative and creative ways to improve the service standards to delight guests.

As the F&B manager at ITC Maratha, Mumbai; Saransh plans to invest time in growth and development of associates and empowering them to provide exceptional guest service. He would also like to focus on innovation and implementation of new trends in food and beverage operations.

A social media enthusiast, he enjoys exploring the newest trends in Food52 to keep himself up to date on International and Local dining trends. His roots in bartending and mixology are well reflected in his collection of certificates in courses in the beverage world.


Fairfield By Marriott, Mumbai Appoints Dipesh Sinha as Food and Beverage Manager

Dipesh Sinha

Food and Beverage Manager

Fairfield By Marriott, Mumbai

The newest Marriott property in Mumbai – Fairfield by Marriott, Mumbai International Airport announces the appointment of its Food and Beverage Manager, Dipesh Sinha. Dipesh comes with an extensive experience of 16 years across various luxury, lifestyle, and business hotels.

Prior to Joining FFM, Dipesh worked at Sahara Star, Mumbai as Asst Food and Beverage Manager where he was primarily responsible for uplifting the beverage portfolio of the hotel as well as increasing the visibility and market share of the hotel’s restaurants and bars.

In his current role at Fairfield by Marriott, Dipesh will be instrumental in processes such as restaurant operations, guest experience management, administration, restaurant revenue forecast, F&B strategy, concept promotions, cost control, and beverage initiatives.