Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach appoints Chef Avinash Kumar as Director of Culinary

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has appointed Avinash Kumar as Director of Culinary. A graduate of the prestigious IHM Mumbai with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and hotel administration, Chef Avinash has built an illustrious 18-year career across top-tier hospitality brands. His leadership journey includes key roles at renowned properties such as Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport, Novotel Imagicaa, The Lalit New Delhi, Taj Holiday Village Goa, and Taj Exotica Goa, where he was highly acclaimed for his exceptional culinary skills and strategic thinking.

Speaking of his appointment, Avinash Kumar said, “I am excited to join Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach and look forward to bringing my passion for culinary innovation to this esteemed establishment. My goal is to create unforgettable dining experiences that satisfy and exceed our guests’ expectations. I’m eager to work with the talented team here to elevate our culinary offerings and further establish Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach as a premier dining destination.”

Chef Avinash’s career has been defined by his proficiency in menu development, staff mentoring, cost optimisation, and the successful delivery of large-scale events. His keen attention to detail and passion for gourmet artistry have consistently improved guest satisfaction and enhanced profitability at the properties he has served.

Neelabh Sahay, Director of Operations, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Chef Avinash Kumar to our team. His extensive experience and innovative approach to culinary arts align perfectly with our vision to offer unparalleled dining experiences to our guests. We are confident that under Avinash’s leadership, our culinary offerings will reach new heights of excellence.”

Beyond his operational achievements, Chef Avinash has also been actively guiding properties through critical certifications, including ISO 22000 and FSSAI, ensuring compliance with the highest industry standards. His collaborations with Michelin-starred chefs and leadership in high-profile events further demonstrate his commitment to excellence and innovation in the culinary space.

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach welcomes Vishal Gupta as the new General Manager

Vishal has 24 years of international hospitality experience in four countries. He started his career as a Management Trainee with Marriott International and transitioned from Operations to Sales and from 2005-2012 in Maryland and Washington DC area with Marriott.

He was transferred to India in 2012, where he up the leisure division for Marriott’s National Sales Organization.

Vishal joined Hilton Worldwide as a General Manager in 2015 and worked at the Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum and Hilton Jaipur until 2022. An entrepreneur at heart, Vishal took all his business and financial acumen, co-founded an Ed Tech platform in 2022, and ran it for 18 months.

Vishal believes in having a growth mind-set and is a constant learner. He completed a one year Advance General Management Program in 2020-21from IIM – Ahmedabad as well as he is a certified Executive Leadership coach from George Mason University, Virginia. He did his Bachelors of Business in Hotel Administration from the Hotel School, Southern Cross University, Australia and passed out from IHM Chandigarh in 1999.

On the personal front, Vishal, an Edwardian and a Shimlite, he likes to read, travel and play golf.

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach appoints Amartya Chakraborty as the new Director of Sales and Marketing

Amartya will be responsible for planning and implementing the hotel’s sales and marketing strategy, maximizing revenues, exploring new business opportunities, setting annual budget and putting together strategies amongst other duties

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach is delighted to announce the newest addition to their team – Amartya Chakraborty, as Director of Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Amartya will be responsible for planning and implementing the hotel’s sales and marketing strategy, maximizing revenues, exploring new business opportunities, setting the annual budget and putting together strategies amongst other duties. 

Prior to joining Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Amartya was associated with Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences as the Director of Sales and Marketing, where he was responsible for maximizing hotel revenue during and post-covid, increasing market visibility, and improving hotel positioning. A diligent professional with 18 years of experience in his field, Amartya has been credited with organizing many successful initiatives and was honoured with the ‘Best Sales Person of the year 2019’ in Accor South Asia Hotel Award. 

Amartya pursued his Bachelor in Commerce from Calcutta University and continues his advanced learnings with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore. In the hospitality industry, his career took a start with Sarovar Hotels in 2005 and eventually moved to Unit Hotel Sales and was responsible for the Kolkata unit until 2013. After which he joined Accor Hotels at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences.

Commenting on his appointment, Gorav Arora, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach said, “We’re thrilled to have Amartya join our team at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. His experience in the industry and his unrivalled determination to succeed make him a huge asset to the team. We look forward to continuing to innovate and grow together in this new position.”

Outside the realm of work, he enjoys listening to retro music and keeps a close eye on current affairs and Business news. Chess being his favourite game he spends his leisure evenings playing and as well helps him to widen his thought process.