Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Wins Prestigious Recognition from Condé Nast Traveler

Historic hotel ranked No. 2 in Southeast Asia in magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards

The iconic Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor was voted the No. 2 hotel in Southeast Asia by readers of the industry-leading, U.S.-based travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

The historic luxury hotel, situated on the doorstep of world-renowned ancient Khmer archeological sites in Cambodia, earned the recognition in the publication’s closely followed annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which were announced on Oct. 3.

“The readers of Condé Nast Traveler are among the savviest on the planet. For them to name Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor one of the top hotels in Southeast Asia—a region full of remarkable hotels—is the ultimate validation,” General Manager Joseph Colina said. “We constantly strive to provide an unparalleled guest experience in a place of true splendor, and this recognition highlights that we are doing just that.”

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor originally opened in 1932 and is considered a national treasure. It was originally built as a rest stop for archeologists and adventurers seeking to explore the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat, which is today a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hotel recently launched exclusive new multi-course tasting menus at its celebrated Khmer fine-dining restaurant 1932, offering diners a tantalizing introduction to the distinctive flavors of authentic Royal Khmer and modern Khmer gastronomy. The tasting menus are categorized by different historical eras and presented with optional wine pairings.

The hotel also introduced a new Champagne brunch served the first Sunday of each month.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor emerged last year from an extensive renovation and pandemic-related closure. Nearly all of the hotel’s 119 guest rooms and suites were fully refurbished, many with all-new Italian tiling and fixtures in the bathrooms. One of the hotel’s most distinctive attributes—its classic metal and timber elevator in the lobby—remains, as does the vintage ambience of The Elephant Bar.

The hotel’s sister property in Cambodia, the landmark Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, opened in 1929 and is a grand statement of Khmer, Art Deco and French Colonial styles. Raffles Hotel Le Royal recently introduced a new Gueridon Brunch served every Sunday, along with a Parisian brunch at Le Phnom 1929 available the first Sunday of each month.

Condé Nast Traveler is one of the two most important and distinguished monthly travel magazines in the North American media market, alongside Travel + Leisure. In April, T+L named Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor one of the world’s “500 Best Hotels.”

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, now in their 36th year, are the longest-running and among the most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry.

ABOUT RAFFLES

Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

American Brew Crafts’s Blockbuster wins ‘Bronze’ at Brewski Awards 

Only Indian beer brand to be recognized at Brewski Awards 2022 (an international beer competition)

Hyderabad November 2022: American Brew Crafts Pvt Ltd, a modern-day independent brewing company making the highest quality products with the best ingredients won a Bronze Medal for its BlockBuster beer at the 2022 annual Brewski Awards, an international beer competition that recognizes beers brands with extraordinary quality and integrity that resonate with the consumers. Blockbuster was the only Indian Beer recognized at Brewski Awards 2022. It was rated as a good solid-tasting beer in the category Australasian, Latin American, and Tropical Style Light Beer. 

Brewski Awards 2022 is an International Beer Competition with the participation of more than 600 beer brands. The event is judged by highly experienced beer consumers, that taste beers independently. The director of the judging panel is a Certified Cicerone that oversees the entire tasting process as well as the selection of judges. The judges are an enthusiast not in the industry. All entries to Brewski Awards, an international beer competition are scrutinized thoroughly for aroma, appearance, flavour, mouthfeel, and overall to identify the products that stand out.   

Expressing ecstasy over receiving the award, Mr. Nagendra Tayi, Chief Executive Officer, American Brew Crafts Pvt Ltd said, “We are delighted to receive the Bronze Medal for BlockBuster at the Brewski Awards 2022. This is a credible recognition of the excellence of taste, flavour, overall experience, and quality of Blockbuster beer from the connoisseurs. Our unwavering commitment to quality and perfection at American Brew Crafts is what has allowed us to garner such prestigious awards in such a short time. We are delighted that ABC Ltd. has been acknowledged for its efforts in the brewing industry, and this recognition is evidence of our consistency.” 

Recently the variants Blockbuster Lager and Blockbuster Strong were rated GOLD in two categories – Packaging and Liquid Tasting at Spiritz Selection 2022.



JW MARRIOTT MUMBAI JUHU RECOGNIZED WITH CONDE NAST TRAVELER’S 2022 READERS’ CHOICE AWARD #17 OF      BEST HOTELS IN INDIA

The RCA’s celebrate the world’s top hotels, resorts, cities, countries, islands, spas, trains, airlines, airports, cruises, and more.

 

Mumbai, October 2022 - Condé Nast Traveler earlier this month announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu recognized as the #17 Best Hotel in India.

More than 240,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to provide a full snapshot of the top places they enjoyed this year and can’t wait to return to next.

“As we celebrate our 20th year, we feel honored that the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler again recognized our hotel for being among the very best of the best. This win is a true testament to the passion and commitment of our associates,” says Nikita Ramchandani, General Manager at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and the full list of India winners can be found here.

 

About JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. Inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott is a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are more than 100 JW Marriott hotels in over 30 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.


Anantara Spa Scoops Wins at 2022 World Spa Awards

Anantara Spas worldwide has received 13 top accolades in the World Spa Awards 2022, a tourism industry awards programme that recognises leading spas from across the globe.

From Sri Lanka to the Seychelles, Anantara Spa was privileged to receive several awards, including Zambia’s Best Safari Spa, Oman’s Best Resort Spa and Dubai’s Best Wellness Retreat.

Drawing on Thailand’s wellness traditions, Anantara Spa offers unique signature journeys deeply rooted in indigenous experiences. Centred on movement, nutrition, mindfulness and innovative technology, Anantara Spa takes a holistic approach, providing personalised solutions to optimise health and wellbeing.

Dr. Chef. Kaviraj bags the Prestigious Human Rights Nobel Award for 2021 - 2022.

Having known for his outstanding achievements, dedication and winning attitude since over two and a half decades Chef kaviraj has been one name which is synonymous with quality and perfection.

His passion of being known for his creativity and out of the box thinking, impressing foodies and guests with his art - skills, and talents have made success stories the world over since around 25 years now.

This Human Rights Nobel Award has been conferred upon him for his untiring efforts and support extended to the food and Hospitality industry including operations to Academics and beyond.

Hundreds of Hospitality industry employees were helped get back into their jobs and also the fresh graduates were shown directions on how to start up and find the right place to Kickstart a successful career, being stable in a job and not changing often have been a few of his contributions to name a few which have been of true help to professionals.

We are happy - proud and wish him all the very best for the kind gestures extended towards humanity and the development of quality manpower for the industry on the whole. Wishing Chef kaviraj all the very best in all his upcoming endeavors.

It’s Raining Awards @Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

It’s Raining Awards @Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

“Best Sunday Brunch” by Travel & Leisure – Delicious Dining Awards

“Best Menu R&D and Innovative Culinarians Award” by Restaurant India Awards 2022

Hyderabad August: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) has been awarded the prestigious “Best Sunday Brunch” award by Travel & Leisure – Delicious Dining Awards and the “Best Menu R&D and Innovative Culinarians Award” at the Restaurant India Awards 2022 Hyderabad. Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) is known for its world-class facilities and exceptional service standards and has been winning accolades for the same since its inception.

In the recently organized awards ceremony both by Travel + Leisure and Restaurant Association of India Hyderabad, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre has achieved this feat of winning two awards for The Food Exchange at NHCC. There were a total of 51 participants in the category Best Sunday brunch, Delicious Dining Awards 2022 which celebrates the best in the Indian culinary Industry. NHCC has won these rewards amongst leading restaurants, and bars in the country through an online voting system.

 

According to Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, “We are truly delighted and honored to receive affirmation from industry experts and guests who have experienced delectable cuisines and services at our property. The award acknowledges Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre as a world-class hotel enhancing guest experiences through an amazing range of food choices for a global audience. We foster a culture of innovation and research in every aspect of our operations and processes to give our guests a superlative experience at the property.”


Food Exchange is a contemporary, casual & multi-cuisine restaurant serving food from the four corners of the world. The restaurant is widely known for its innovative and modern reinterpretation of popular dishes and beverages. A selection of pan-Asian, global and local cuisines. Explore fresh new flavours with Exchange Kitchens that dish out delicacies using handpicked ingredients and organic produce, cooked right in front of you.

 Among the best restaurants in Hitech City, Hyderabad, Food Exchange is designed to be a Social Hub with flexible seating options. The relaxed ambiance creates an experience suitable for the family packs as well as “together alone” guests. A scenic poolside & beautifully landscaped lawns form the backdrop of the restaurant.

AWARDS | Chef Jerson Fernandes wins award for Novotel Juhu at the India Food and Beverage awards.

Food and Beverage is the best thing that has ever happened to me- Chef Jerson Fernandes wins another award for Novotel Juhu at the India Food and Beverage awards.

Chef Jerson Fernandes, indubitably Accor India’s most decorated chef was yet again awarded another award- the India food and Beverage awards by FBAI (Food Bloggers Association of India) held at Jio world center- BKC, Mumbai on the 14th of July for his contribution and excellence in the food and beverage industry in the 5-star hotel category. 

A master at F&B concepts and someone who believes in serving an experience rather than mere food have exceeded the expectations of all his guests, bloggers, and influencers when it comes to curating some of the best dining experiences at Novotel Juhu which proudly boasts of its 6 unique and interesting Food and Beverage outlets. His passion and love for food and beverage are simply second to none. Chef Jerson Fernandes is the Executive chef of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach and believes there is only one boss- the guest! 

The delight of receiving an excellence award amidst the countless operational challenges that the hospitality industry navigated over the past two years is accompanied by a combination of celebration for both, the recipient – as indicative of the standards of professionalism and positive hospitality, and for the brand; reinvigorating differentiation and leadership! He was also awarded the best Executive chef of the year 2021 by Hotelier India in Dec 2021 and The Best Chef of the year 2022 by food Connoisseurs awards in March 2022.

He was also awarded and felicitated at the South Asia Accor Awards Ceremony at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, Chef Jerson Fernandes is .known for creating culinary experiences that obscure the boundaries between food and art, curating menus that reflect fresh tastes, mastery of diversity, and delighting guests through every interaction.

 Accor has been a culture of recognition, where each employee is valued in their career journeys, and encouraged to be proactive in professional self-development. While our masterpiece performances or endeavors may be their own reward; the acknowledgment of the fruits of one’s efforts and intentions from great leaders such as Mr. Puneet Dhawan- Sr. Vice President of Operations, India and South Asia, and Mr. Gorav Arora- General Manager of Novotel Juhu helps reveal the secret of our individual capabilities and competencies, passion for service and achievement  and the admirable flavors of ingredients: our harmonious team.

The exclusivity of delivering  personalized guest experiences has necessitated Chef Jerson’s  potential to inspire newer gastronomic  creations to suit a multiplicity of palates; whilst remaining true to the simplicity and authenticity of flavors, cuisines,  embracing the unexplored, revolutionizing perceptions, and multi-sensory encounters

In the words of Chef Jerson, “ This recognition and appreciation by FBAI for the Food and beverage Awards in the best Hotel Chef Category, 2022 reinforces my learning agility and personal discovery and strengthens my emotional connect and investment with the Accor values. I have always believed, that there is only one boss- the guest! ”

Expressing his happiness at the achievement, Gorav Arora, the General Manager of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said, "I am extremely proud of Chef Jerson's commitment to hospitality and his personalization of service; vibrancy in food and beverage offerings and being an inspiration to team members."


Oberoi Hotels and Resorts voted the World’s Best Hotel Brand at the Travel + Leisure, USA World’s Best Awards, 2022

Oberoi Hotels and Resorts was voted the World’s Best Hotel

Oberoi Hotels and Resorts has been voted the World’s Best Hotel Brand at the Travel + Leisure, USA World’s Best Awards, 2022.  

The Oberoi, New Delhi has also been voted the World’s Best City Hotel in Asia. The Oberoi, Marrakech: The Best Resort in North Africa and the Middle East and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur: The Best Resort in India. 

Brand at the Travel + Leisure, USA World’s Best Awards, 2022

Oberoi Hotels and Resorts has received this title from among 9.5 million readers of Travel + Leisure magazine in a Readers’ Poll conducted by them

Travel + Leisure USA’s World’s Best Awards are amongst the most prestigious in the travel industry as it is the readers who define excellence in hospitality and travel. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has received this recognition from among 9.5 million readers of Travel + Leisure magazine in a Readers’ Poll conducted by them.    

Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group said, “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award and honored to have contributed in our own small way to the “Make in India” initiative. My heartfelt gratitude to our valued guests for their continued support and our exceptional colleagues for their dedication and commitment to excellence.”  

Vikram Oberoi, CEO, and MD, The Oberoi Group further added, “The awards are an affirmation of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts’ unwavering commitment towards offering guests exceptional facilities and unparalleled levels of service. Our founder Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi and Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi our former Chairman and mentor have always maintained that people are our most important asset – time and again our colleagues live up to this enduring belief.”

ACCOR INDIA’S MOST DECORATIVE CHEF-JERSON FERNANDES OF NOVOTEL MUMBAI JUHU BEACH WINS SPECIAL JURY RECOGNITION AT THE ACCOR SOUTH ASIA HOTEL AWARDS HELD AT PULLMAN AEROCITY.

ACCOR INDIA’S MOST DECORATIVE CHEF-JERSON FERNANDES OF NOVOTEL MUMBAI JUHU BEACH WINS SPECIAL JURY RECOGNITION AT THE ACCOR SOUTH ASIA HOTEL AWARDS HELD AT PULLMAN AEROCITY.

The delight of receiving an excellence award amidst the countless operational challenges that the hospitality industry navigated over the past two years is accompanied with a combination of celebration for both, the recipient – as indicative of the  standards of professionalism and positive hospitality, and for the brand; reinvigorating differentiation and leadership! He was also awarded with the best Executive chef of the year-2021 by Hotelier India in Dec 2021 and The Best Chef of the year-2022 by food Connoisseurs awards in March 2022.

Having being awarded and felicitated at the South Asia Accor Awards Ceremony at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, Chef Jerson Fernandes is .known for creating culinary experiences that obscure  the boundaries between food and  art, curating menus which  reflect fresh tastes, mastery in diversity and delighting guests through every interaction.

 Accor   has been a culture of recognition, where each employee  is valued in their career journeys, and encouraged to be pro-active in professional self development. While our masterpiece performances  or endeavors may be its own reward; the acknowledgement of the  fruits of one’s  efforts and intentions from great leaders such as Mr. Puneet Dhawan- Sr. Vice President of Operations, India and South Asia and Mr. Gorav Arora- General Manager of Novotel Juhu helps reveal the secret of our  individual capabilities and competencies, passion for service and achievement  and the admirable flavors of ingredients: our harmonious team.

The exclusivity of delivering  personalized guest experiences has necessitated Chef Jerson’s  potential to inspire newer gastronomic  creations to suit a multiplicity of palates; whilst remaining true to the simplicity and authenticity of flavors, cuisines,  embracing the unexplored, revolutionizing perceptions  and multi-sensory encounters

In the words of Chef Jerson, “ This recognition and appreciation - “Special Jury Recognition”  in the Accor South Asia Hotel Awards 2021 reinforces my learning agility  and personal discovery and strengthens my emotional connect and investment with the Accor values.”

Expressing his happiness at the achievement, Gorav Arora, the General Manager of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said, "I am extremely proud of Chef Jerson's commitment to hospitality and his personalization of service; vibrancy in food and beverage offerings and being an inspiration to team members."

DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI honoured with India’s Iron Man’s Award under the title of Celebrity Master Chef Award 2022 by MMTV Media Awards.

DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI honoured with India’s Iron Man’s Award under the title of Celebrity Master Chef Award 2022 by MMTV Media Awards.


A passionate foodie with a zeal to do something different ever since he wanted to make his hobby his full time profession chef kaviraj has been one name among many who has carved a niche for himself in the hospitality industry.  Having developed a keen interest in cooking since the age of seven he grew up learning the basics at home followed by formal educational certifications within India and overseas to learn and absorb the best of his area of interest. His initial years were full of struggle, hard work, long hours of work and an untiring dedication at work which he enjoyed to the very best from hotels to airlines, from restaurants to banquets, from working for vvip events, serving the who’s who in the top ranks around the world his rich and varied experience has always been his positivity card. Two times national award winner and loads of other esteemed awards have been conferred upon chef Kaviraj at various parts of the country since last few years.

Besides loving his role in the food industry he also had a keen interest in writing and expressing his views, thoughts and experiences in words and wanted people to know about his doings and his to do lists. He started writing articles and books since the year 2000 from hospitality magazines, newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs etc along the way which offered his creativity and recipes a wider and bigger circulation as well.

People connected with me from all over and extended their best wishes and appreciation towards my efforts which were visible all across from domestic to international media too. He always loved accepting challenges and opportunities coming his way since it would always be offering something different to do, present across and share it all over. Today he has been featured in over 35 plus publications and news portals, websites etc already. Since he always had something different to offer and with continued stability attitude with regularity traits his presence has been seen for long time on various social media platforms and publications around the world.

Dr. Kaviraj has also been very actively involved in the academia related to the food and hospitality industry and has been contributing, sharing, mentoring, coaching, teaching and training students of culinary arts and hospitality on various platforms from online webinars to offline sessions, training workshops, personality development programs etc. he is also associated with a number of colleges and universities across India where he not only associates to share his experience and knowledge but he is also on the board of studies and advisory board for enhancing curriculum and syllabus structuring, teachers training, train the trainer programs as well. His work has been well noticed, observed and appreciated over the years and he has been presented with a number of appreciation notes, letters and tokens from the universities and governing bodies of educational institutions and training centers.

“according to me it is inevitable to overlook the development and growth aspect of today’s young minds, aspiring to be chefs and food service professionals. We need to stand with them and be around them to develop their confidence and communication skills, sharing our experience helps but ultimately it is practice and regularity which gives results”

The recently received award by MMTV Media is one such more appreciation received for all the outstanding work and efforts being put in by chef kaviraj over 22 plus years now and it keeps him going and working even more stronger towards reaching his goals and ambitions.

The team wishes Dr. Kaviraj Khialani all the very best for this much deserved recognition and appreciation by means of this esteemed award, media bite speaking on his success story and the certificate which pens it down as well, signifies the moment to level next.


SUCHIR JINDAL AWARDED HOSPITALITY MARKETEER OF THE YEAR 2022

SUCHIR JINDAL AWARDED HOSPITALITY MARKETEER OF THE YEAR 2022

Suchir Jindal, Corporate Head of Marketing and Communications, Sayaji Hotels Ltd. has been awarded Hospitality Marketeer of the year 2022. The award was handed over to him at the recently held “India Hotelier and Hospitality Award 2022”, instituted by Navi Mumbai Chamber of Business & Industries (NMCBI) in association with the India Coaching Federation (ICF) and Great Human University.


A seasoned hospitality professional, Suchir Jindal holds strong digital, traditional marketing, performance marketing, and PR management skills with over 7+years of experience in the domain and overall 11+years of experience in Analytic & customer service. His focus area is to manage Digital Marketing, E-commerce, and Social media for Brands and individual properties. In his illustrious career, he has worked with some of the leading hospitality brands like Accor Hotels, Sarovar Hotels, Novotel Hotels, and Sayaji Hotels.


Mr. Jindal’s core focus area is managing Digital marketing, E-commerce, and Social media for brand and individual properties. He has been responsible for increasing revenue from E-commerce/ OLTA for hotel properties, content management, competition analysis & monitoring brand reports, Search Engine Marketing, and Social Media Marketing with a strong focus on ROI.

 

Sayaji Hotels is India’s premier upscale lifestyle hospitality brand, renowned for its bespoke experiences, signature hospitality, and ushering new standards of opulence in the 4-star and 5-star hotels category. The group’s flagship 5-star property in Indore is one the most sought-after destinations for weddings and the only hotel in the city to introduce the grill restaurant concept in India- Kebabville. The group plans to have 50 operational hotels

AWARD | Niraamaya Wellness Retreats bags multiple awards by TripAdvisor for its retreats in Kerala

Adjudged TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice – Best of the Best for the year 2022.

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats has been awarded TripAdvisor’s “Travellers’ Choice – Best of the Best” award for the year 2022 for its multiple retreats in Kerala.

Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters And Beyond, Kumarakom has been ranked 8th in the category of Top Luxury Hotels in India and 11th in the category of Top Small Hotels in India. Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, Thekkady has been ranked 24th in the category of Top Mountain Lodge & Resort in the World, 9th in the Top Small Hotels in Asia, and 4th in the category of Top Small Hotels in India. The newest entrant in their growing portfolio, Niraamaya Retreats Samroha, Athirappilly is already creating waves and has been ranked 22nd in the category of the Top Hotels in India.

Travelers’ Choice Awards: The Best of the Best awards instituted by the travel platform “TripAdvisor” is given to the best resorts and hotels in the world. These awards are based on guest reviews and Niraamaya Wellness Retreats has been amongst the top-ranked hotel brands with votes and support through excellent reviews from many travelers around the globe.

TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards recognize the world’s finest hotels, committed to the highest standards of quality and service excellence. It was founded on the principle of celebrating extraordinary hotels that have quality service and encourages them to maintain excellence within a highly competitive industry. It is all about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step by providing the guests with outstanding experiences.

“After a grueling and extremely challenging period that the hospitality industry has seen recently, these awards are a testament to the hard work, skill, and passion that our teams possess. It is an honour for us to be recognized by our guests and be a part of the top 1% of the hotels worldwide. I consider myself privileged to lead a team that strives to excel at service delivery every single day.” said Allen Machado, Chief Executive Officer of Niraamaya Wellness Retreats.

INDIAN LEADERS & ACHIEVERS AWARD 2022 PRESENTED TO DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI – CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF

INDIAN LEADERS & ACHIEVERS AWARD 2022

PRESENTED TO

DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI – CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF.

In honour for his exemplary & untiring dedication, passion and commitment to the field of hospitality education – training & development, consultancy for hospitality professionals and beyond, Chef Kaviraj has been remarkably appreciated, noticed and admired for his quality of work and his unmatched delivery style coupled with quality experience all across various verticals in the hospitality industry.

Being an achiever and setting records for being different takes him back to the age of 11 months when he was selected to be a brand image and ambassador for a healthy baby tonic called “Alvite Drops “the posters of which were put up all across India at various nursing homes! 

Growing up being a foodie ever since childhood he enjoyed watching his food being cooked at home and with a keen observation skill and for the fact the interest towards trying his own hands too kick started from a tender age of 7 where he picked up the basic skill sets needed to work in a kitchen to make simple things like tea, coffee, sandwiches, pizzas etc and over the years that interest and hobby picked up shape towards getting moulded into a professional approach.

Having completed his academic studies within India and overseas his vision, insight and imaginations knew no boundaries, creativity became second nature to him since then. He loved experimenting with unusual combinations with ingredients, cuisines, methods of cooking, mix- n- match etc. working with five-star hotel chains, in-flight catering units, growing up further being a food consultant, research and development specialist for various food brands across the globe challenged him all the way to stand out with his uniqueness and out of the box thinking and performance.

A flair for writing which grew over the years made him visible on a number of media platforms from newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites on food and health, a count which has crossed over 50 plus publications globally! Chef Kaviraj has also been featured on television shows on star plus and the very first food reality show on colors television as well. writing books, conducting live cooking workshops, master-class sessions, training sessions for hotel chefs and other departments too fall under his profile which he has executed brilliantly over the last 22 plus years now.

“This recently received award reminds me that I need to be reaching out to my audience in a more varied and versatile way and to work even more harder, doing things in a more interesting way from creating concepts, applying and imparting new industry centric ways of training young aspirants, to be available in both online and offline mode to mentor, counsel, coach and guide those young candidates who wish to see themselves as successful in the world of hospitality. Being able to offer even better consultancy solutions to hoteliers around the world, not to forget offering an active, strong and positive offering to the education sector at all times in order to help shape up, mould and deliver apt and able candidates to the hospitality industry for the near future. I am grateful to the jury at the Indian Leaders & Achiever’s Awards 2022 for having selected me as one of the many lucky winners and by bestowing me with an esteemed award of this stature, thank you to my parents, all my well-wishes, my fans & followers. my students, hospitality and education industry colleagues and fellow mates for your constant support in all my endeavours”- Chef Kaviraj upon receiving the award and recognition.

Awards | 25 hotels and resorts managed by Concept Hospitality win Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award for the year 2022

25 hotels and resorts managed by Concept Hospitality win Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award for the year 2022

As many as 25 Fern and Beacon hotels and resorts managed by Concept Hospitality have won the prestigious Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award for the year 2022, Noshir A Marfatia, senior VP, Sales & Marketing, The Fern Hotels & Resorts said.

 

Congratulating the winning hotels, he said, “It is a moment of great pride when we receive the acknowledgment of our hospitality and services from our guests. It is a validation of the processes we have adopted that make our guests feel safe and secure.”

 

Giving the breakup of the awards he said, “Nine of our upscale The Fern hotels won this award, as did 15 of our mid-scale Fern Residency level hotels. And one of our smart, efficient Economy brands, Beacon Hotels, also received the award.”

 

The Fern Hotels & Resorts is India’s leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain and amongst the fastest growing hotel brands in India, with 88 hotels & resorts currently operational under management or opening shortly across 72 locations in India and internationally, under The Fern, The Fern Residency, Zinc by The Fern and Beacon Hotels brands. The company is a part of CG Corp Global, a multi-dimensional Nepalese conglomerate.

 

Kerten Hospitality’s Business Development Lead Theo Bortoluzzi wins 2022 Young Leader Award at International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF)

Kerten Hospitality’s Business Development Lead Theo Bortoluzzi wins 2022 Young Leader Award at International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF)


The achievement is a strong recognition of Kerten Hospitality’s commitment to the empowerment of young leaders as part of its business philosophy founded on ESG



BERLIN: May 2022: With more than 35 projects in development across 11 lifestyle-driven concepts on three continents, mixed-use lifestyle operator Kerten Hospitality’s dynamic disruption of the industry is making waves. With ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and responsible community-based business practices at its core, supporting the next generation of young hospitality leaders is a key part of the brand’s philosophy.

Recognition of this commitment has been cemented today with Business Development Manager Theo Bortoluzzi winning the 2022 Young Leader Award at the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), held in Berlin from May 3-5, 2022, where he was also a guest speaker. Previously recognized on Hotelier Middle East’s 2021 30 Under 30 list of the most promising in the industry, Bortoluzzi was selected from a list of many outstanding candidates by hotel industry leaders, and takes over the 2022 title from last year’s winner, Davina Cisier, Director of Development Luxury Hotels for Accor

With a bachelor’s degree in Global Hotel Management from Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Marbella and training stints in Barcelona and Hong Kong, Bortoluzzi joined Kerten Hospitality in March 2020 as an intern, and in just two years – at the young age of 23 – has risen to oversee the brand’s business development process, from lead generation to contract negotiation. 


“As one of the youngest members of our team, we’re proud to see what Theo brings, not only to our brand but also to our owners and investors. The young generation is the driving force of our entire industry, and creating opportunities to empower individuals and help them grow is at the heart of what we do,” says Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality. Known for her commitment to mentoring and empowering the next generation of hoteliers, Knippenberg continuously pioneers innovation through the brand’s stakeholder network, including investors, owners, academia and hospitality leadership, always with a focus on ESG.


“By creating mixed-use lifestyle destinations with ESG at their core, we are attracting new audiences of savvy consumers committed to making responsible spending decisions that have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate,” she continues. “Not only does our focus on ESG benefit our guests, it’s also a huge opportunity for property owners and investors to be at the forefront of an evolving hospitality industry.”


A shining example of ESG in action, Bortoluzzi’s professional growth is testament to Kerten Hospitality’s empowerment of youth. He has been a key figure in the signing of Kerten Hospitality’s first European project, the Cloud7 Hotel Rome, opening in 2023. An innovative, community-centric destination, the hotel aims to be a place that’s as much loved by Romans as it is by visitors to the city by fostering local connections and collaborations. With an enviable location between Via del Corso and Via di Pietra, just steps from the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, the hotel will be housed in a heritage building dating back to the early 20th century that was once home to the Banco di Roma. But rather than repeat the formula of many other boutique hotels, Cloud7 Hotel Rome will be different.


“Our mixed use and community-focused approach allows us to bring something completely new to Rome,” says Bortoluzzi. “While this will undoubtedly have benefits for our hotel guests, the opportunities for owners are also huge. Our mixed-use model sees us using rooms as offices during the daytime to generate incremental revenue, and our Social Hub for product launches, pop-ups and partnerships helps us reach non-traditional audiences and diversify revenue streams.”


With properties currently operating in Jeddah and 35+ and new mixed-use lifestyle projects coming up in Jordan, Georgia, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco and the UAE, Kerten Hospitality continues to disrupt the industry, creating next generation sustainable developments that will benefit guests, communities and stakeholders alike.


About Kerten Hospitality:


Kerten Hospitality (KH) is a mixed-use sustainable and responsible lifestyle operator managing and operating hotels, branded residences, serviced apartments, workspaces and business hubs and clubs under its 100% own and developed brands. KH transforms destinations through impactful collaborations both with our own and other branded Food & Beverage, Retail, Entertainment, Art and Wellness brands with a focus on building Ecosystems, and unique community-centric destinations, that connect International & local travelers. 


A division of Kerten, an Ireland-headquartered investment vehicle, KH manages a portfolio of 11 owned brands including: Cloud7 Hotel and Residence, The House Hotel and Residence, Ouspace – a collaborative Social Hub and serviced offices concept. KH has a suite of in-house designed and operated Food & Beverage offerings and employs and collaborates with world-renowned Michelin chefs to up-and-coming local foodpreneurs. 

The current pipeline includes 35 projects from Eco-Luxury Resorts in the UAE, to Art Hotels including residencies in Georgia curated by the curators of the Louvre AbuDhabi, Urban City Centre Destinations in Italy, extension of the Cloud 7 Residence Ayla Aqaba success with an experience hotel & hub in Jordan, a Suite-only project in Kuwait, Leisure, Business, and Meeting Mixed-Use in the first Sustainable destinations in the most prestigious developments in the Egyptian North Coast, to name a few, with many further projects in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. 


Award | CAESARS PALACE DUBAI IS RECOGNIZED BY  FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE 2022 STAR AWARDS WITH FIVE STAR RECOMMENDATION  

CAESARS PALACE DUBAI

CAESARS PALACE DUBAI IS RECOGNIZED BY  FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE 2022 STAR AWARDS WITH FIVE STAR RECOMMENDATION  

The Luxury Resort on Bluewaters Island Earns Prestigious Accolade,  Ratings Showcased on ForbesTravelGuide.com 

New Delhi,  April 2022: Forbes Travel Guide has released their highly anticipated and illustrious 2022  guide, announcing Caesars Palace Dubai as one of their five-star recommended hotels. As the world-renowned authority in genuine five-star service, the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star recognition reinforces Caesars Palace Dubai’s reputation in the UAE for its world-class service standards, luxury hospitality, and guest experience.  

Under the leadership of Anthony Costa, Regional President, Caesars Palace Dubai, this award is the resort’s first in the region.  

Commenting on the occasion, he says, “For a young hotel to be recognized by the Forbes Travel Guide is a remarkable moment for our team of leaders and committed colleagues. Nurturing their ambitions through training and development has led to this recognition, and it lays testament to their unwavering passion, commitment, and relentless desire to be among the best in service. I am extremely proud of  what we have achieved in a short time - it truly motivates and inspires our team to always strive for  excellence!” 

The Forbes Travel Guide is internationally recognized as the top market for luxury hotels. “Travel has come back strongly, and the resilient hospitality industry is creatively rallying to accommodate the increased occupancy demand for most regions,” says Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide.  “While the industry faces some lingering issues, the 2022 award winners proved ready for those  challenges and more, demonstrating the best that luxury hospitality has to offer.”  

With luxurious accommodation, decadent dining experiences, legendary hospitality, iconic service, and kids’ recreation, Caesars Palace Dubai is the ultimate holiday destination, now with a five-star award in the Forbes Travel Guide 2022. 

To view the new Star Award winners, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com

For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star Ratings, click here.

AWARD | Hilton Goa Resort Wins Two Prestigious International Awards for Excellence in Hospitality

Hilton Goa Resort Wins Two Prestigious International Awards for Excellence in Hospitality

Goa,April 2022: Hotel Critics and Bloggers Association (HCBA) is a leading name amongst the Hotel reviewers, critics, and hospitality bloggers. In a private ceremony, Hilton Goa Resort was awarded the International Award for Excellence in Hospitality (GOA) with Mr. Amandeep Singh Grover winning the Best General Manager of GOA award in the Luxury segment. 

Speaking on this occasion, Amandeep Singh Grover, the General Manager of Hilton Goa Resort expresses his gratitude and said, “We are honored to receive these prestigious awards from HCBA. We believe this will stren gthen our position in the market as this recognition encourages our team to exceed our guests’ expectations. In the hospitality industry, it is all about creating the right experiences and Hilton Goa Resort endeavors to constantly improve ourselves to offer guests Hilton’s signature hospitality.”

With these awards, the resort received recognition for its exemplary performance and contribution to the hospitality sector. Furthermore, Hilton Goa Resort was recently awarded the Best All Day Dining Restaurant for their outlet @Saipe in the Premium Category for the Times Food Nightlife Award Goa 2022, bagging the award twice in a row.




About Hilton Goa Resort :

Located at the prime location of North Goa, the luxurious Hilton Goa Resort is a hilltop property that has a calming view of the Nerul River and overlooks the lush greenery. Offering 104 beautiful guest rooms with exclusive private balconies, delectable dining options, the property is loaded with amenities. A cozy bar and a coffee lounge with a spectacular view make an ideal spot for locals to hang out. The Kids’ club and 24-hour fitness center make it perfect for long business guests and the 4 outdoor swimming pools, including a dedicated kids’ pool, add charm to this property. With versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces and being closer to the Candolim beach, Hilton Goa Resort offers the perfect setting for vacations.


RADISSON BLU RESORT MALDIVES WINS MULTIPLE LUXURY LIFESTYLE AWARDS

Nestled on the edge of South Ari Atoll like a filigree of gemstones, Radisson Blu Resort Maldives adds to its accolades a multiple award winner title of 2022 Luxury Lifestyle Awards in the categories of Best Luxury Island Resort in Maldives and Best Luxury Honeymoon Resort in Maldives. This is the resort’s second consecutive year of receiving the recognition from Luxury Lifestyle Awards, after securing the title of The Best Luxury Hotel in Maldives in 2021.

Just 105 KM from Velana International Airport, the resort makes this dream destination more accessible than ever before. All 128 beachfront or overwater villas ranging from 215 to 790 square meters feature private pools, ocean views, with one, two or three bedrooms. For the ultimate getaway, the Presidential Suite promises two levels of indoor and alfresco living space overlooking the shimmering sea.

Radisson Blu Resort Maldives blends an idyllic ambiance with exceptional amenities to create engaging guest journeys. The diverse dining selection includes three restaurants, three bars, an experiential wine & cocktail dining at The Lab, and destination dining by the beach or in the infinity pool. Guests can explore the amazing marine world from the diving and watersports center, soothe their senses at the overwater spa, and work out at the yoga pavilion, fitness center, or multi-purpose sports court, while the kids’ club keeps the young ones entertained and educated.

“Our guests immediately feel the difference as we welcome them with the service from our hearts and hands at our magnificent setting. Stay stylishly in the generously sized villas and indulge in our ever-evolving culinary offerings. We continue to fulfill the vision of a tropical island paradise.” stated Gavin Sanders, General Manager of Radisson Blu Resort Maldives.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards is a global award selecting, recognizing, celebrating and promoting the best luxury goods and services all over the world to connect people with the best of luxury. It is one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands, providing assurance of the highest quality, and representing pioneering excellence and innovation. Winners of Luxury Lifestyle Awards are determined through conducting thorough category- and region-based research. Selected winners are recognized worldwide and confirm the exceptional nature of а company in the eyes of the global professional and consumer community.

Want to work in the Maldives

AWARD | WORLD LEADERSHIP CONGRESS HONOURS CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI WITH THE TITLE OF  MOST ADMIRED CHEF

WORLD LEADERSHIP CONGRESS HONOURS CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI WITH THE TITLE OF 

MOST ADMIRED CHEF

Passion at its very best and a zeal to achieve beyond the horizon and a vision to achieve success and yet be grounded, humble and aspiring to do even more for the food & hospitality industry, education field and print and digital media, sharing his thoughts, ideas and recipes related to world cuisine and more is what makes Chef Kaviraj is known to be a multi- tasking professional, renowned and iconic name in the hospitality world. He has been a young achiever since the tender age of 11 months, endorsed a healthy baby tonic for a medical company made him a face of the brand across India, growing up being a topper in academics throughout, winning several accolades along the way!

A keen interest in cooking developed since the age of 7, learning his basics from his mother in his home kitchen, a keen observer and learner picked up the skills watching, practicing and also being open to visualise, create and work on unusual ideas since a young age he was able to dish out, present and innovate pretty well from the regulars. Having completed his higher education and achieved international certifications from Switzerland, America to name a few he always had a flair to share his experience, knowledge which he gained working with several reputed brands like the Taj group, Kuwait Airways, he actively got into academics as well besides being a consultant for the industry. 

Chef kaviraj also tapped opportunities which came his way of being on indian television and beyond from star plus to colors television which saw him hosting and mentoring foodies on a food reality show called Mallika-e-Kitchen which also happened to be the very first on colors channel. An author, advisor, mentor, coach and guide he loves to interact with young aspiring to be chefs and hoteliers, he is also a lifestyle coach and believes in focussing on goals rather than distractions in life. His continued support extended in a number of ways during the last 2 plus years of the pandemic have also been appreciated by a number of organisations, institutions and universities all over India.

He has been conferred upon this coveted title of the Most Admired Chef presented to him by the World Leadership Congress in association with Asia Food Congress on 22nd March 2022 at Hotel Taj Lands’ End in Mumbai for this outstanding commitment, passionate approach and never give up attitude towards his area of expertise which is truly an inspiring factor for youngsters who wish to be successful in this competitive industry.

“It always feels nice to be appreciated, honoured and awarded with new titles & recognitions are always a booster to existing performance. It also gives me a stronger sense and vision of working even harder and make noticeable developments in all I do and to be able to serve the industry, academia and society on the whole to the best of my capability. The title of most admired chef, is a new and varied one in my collection of awards till date and will continue to inspire me to achieve further laurels on a global platform.”- quoted Chef Kaviraj post the awards ceremony.

AWARDS | Culinary Culture's pioneering initiative FoodSuperstars celebrated India's top 30 chefs at a glittering award ceremony in New Delhi

Culinary Culture's pioneering initiative FoodSuperstars celebrated India's top 30 chefs at a glittering award ceremony in New Delhi

 

~ India's top guns from the culinary industry united for the first-ever award ranking for Indian Chefs~

 

National, March 2022: With an aim to recognize and reward India’s most talented chefs, the first edition of Culinary Culture's FoodSuperstars presented by Campo Viejo took place at The Leela Palace, New Delhi. The first of its kind annual ranking saw 30 Top Chefs from across India being celebrated as true heroes of the Indian Food & Beverage industry. The Chefs were commemorated with a trophy as a badge of honor while donning special one-of-a-kind bespoke scarves designed by the iconic Indian designer, Raghavendra Rathore.

 

Culinary Culture, the foremost culinary platform in the country, was Co-founded by Vir Sanghvi, India’s most respected food critic and Sameer Sain, co-founder and CEO of the Everstone Group. It was established to transform the perception of India’s culinary culture globally.

 

The much-awaited list of India’s top 30 chefs was revealed at an invite only event in the presence of prominent chefs and industry stalwarts from across the country such as Vikram Oberoi, Nakul Anand, Sunjae Sharma, Rohit Agarwal, Zorawar Kalra, Priyank Sukhija, Chef David Myers amongst many others. The top 30 chefs awarded the coveted title of FoodSuperstars in its first edition include:

 

No. 1 – Manish Mehrotra, No. 2 – Regi Matthew, No. 3 – Himanshu Saini, No. 4- Prateek Sadhu, No.5- Saurabh Udinia, No.6 – Ritu Dalmia, No.7- Manu Chandra, No.8- Nooresha Kably, No.9 – Naren Thimmaiah, No.10 – Hussain Shahzad. (full list attached)

 

Along with the ranking of the Top 30, FoodSuperstars also announced special awards that were bestowed on Chefs for exceptional achievement through the year. These included awards for Social Activism, Sustainable Cooking Practices and an award to a Food Legend, detailed as under.

 

Special Awards

Pastry Chef by Miele: Pooja Dhingra

Sustainable Chef by Fresh Brew: Manisha Bhasin

People’s Chef by Veeba: Vikas Khanna

Young Chef by Campo Viejo: Dane Fernandes

Chef Activist by Le Cordon Bleu: Asma Khan

Food Legend by Culinary Culture: Floyd Cardoz

 

Speaking on the occasion, Vir Sanghvi, Chairman, Culinary Culture said: “To be able to finally bring together to celebrate and honor some of India's most brilliant minds is very heartwarming and something we look forward to do, year after year.”

 

" It is a pleasure to be associated with FoodSuperstars, honouring the passion and tasteful talent of India’s top chefs with bespoke Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur accents will be a delightful feast for the senses." said Raghavendra Rathore.

 

Cooking is a good thing, but how far you can part your knowledge to others is most important and that’s the only way to take our Indian cuisine forward. I want this award to inspire the next generation of Indian chefs to go even further.” said Manish Mehrotra after being declared as No.1. 

 

Raaj Sanghvi, CEO, Culinary Culture revealed the company's upcoming initiatives, “It’s our mission to bring the world’s best to India and next month we will have the greatest chef in the world Massimo Bottura- come to Mumbai and cook at our events in partnership with Masters of Marriott. We will also organize a special session where he will speak to an audience of India’s top chefs”. 

 

At the event in New Delhi, 28 of the 30 chefs were present in attendance and had flown in specially for the evening from cities such as Bengaluru, Goa, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Udaipur and Dimapur. To receive the Special Legend Chef award, Barkha Cardoz, wife of the late Floyd Cardoz flew in specially from New York and was given a standing ovation.

FoodSuperstars followed a detailed selection process with nominations put forward by Culinary Culture’s seasoned community of FoodHunters consisting of over 40 food connoisseurs from across the country. The final list of nominated chefs was then shared with Culinary Culture’s Secret Jury consisting of India’s topmost culinary experts and biggest foodies. The Jury further culled the list to arrive at the TOP 30 and the process was overseen by Vir Sanghvi.

 

The platform is the only food ranking in India with no form of outside influence or commercial consideration. No restaurant or hotel advertisements were accepted. After a very challenging two years of the pandemic, India’s F&B Industry finally came together to celebrate the perseverance of the industry through this platform.

 

FoodSuperstars presented by Campo Viejo, will become an annual event to honor Indian chefs and will move around Indian cities for each edition.

 

About Culinary Culture

Culinary Culture is India’s definitive voice in food. Co-founded by Vir Sanghvi, and Sameer Sain it is a movement that encompasses all aspects of the food space in India. It is the country’s only authoritative, independent rating organization, awarding stars to restaurants and recognizing and rewarding India’s best chefs and street food vendors. It organizes global culinary exchanges, bringing the world’s greatest chefs to cook in India and sends Indian chefs to cook at the best restaurants in the world. Culinary Culture creates engaging culinary content and has a large and dedicated community of followers on social media. In 2020, Culinary Culture organized events in India with Chef Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur in France, the three Michelin starred restaurant, rated as World no.1. Culinary Culture has an academy of FoodHunters, consisting of 40+ of India’s top food experts based around the country. Culinary Culture’s various popular IPs include FoodSuperstars, Culinary Conversations, StreetFoodSuperstars, Culinary X Change and Plate of Love amongst many others.

Instagram: @CulinaryCultureCo