See Mumbai like Gigi Hadid, Zendaya, and Tom Holland
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The trio explored the city's famous landmarks and culture, and even enjoyed a yacht tour around the Mumbai coastline.
Tom and Zendaya went on the ‘Strange stories of Mumbai and Kolis, the original inhabitants’ tour. Aditya Pai, Tour Leader, No Footprints, said, “Zendaya is a sweet and engaging person, knowledgeable and friendly. Tom is soft spoken, warm, with a pleasant personality. It was his first time in India and he was very excited about the culture and traditions. We hosted them on a yacht to showcase Mumbai in a different light. When we started off, the conversation involved the history of Mumbai and the Kolis, the original inhabitants. Both Zendaya and Tom were keen to learn about how local cultures thrive and they seemed to enjoy the splashes of humour in the narration.”
Co-founder, Harshvardhan Tanwar took supermodel Gigi Hadid and her team on a tour of Mumbai, called ‘Jio Mumbai city tour’. It included stops at the iconic Gateway of India, Kala Ghoda, the University, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangralaya. The tour also had insights into the American connection and its historic significance to Mumbai. The tour ended on the Victoria Terminus with the team sipping on refreshing coconut water while taking in the breathtaking view of the magnificent train station.
They also did tours for other famous personalities, including Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri, Chanakya’s Karishma Swali, Emma Chamberlain, and Katy Graham. Each tour was unique and catered to the guest’s interests, making for a truly personalised experience.
No Footprints, the boutique travel experience company offers a range of tours for those who want to experience Mumbai like the Hollywood stars do. The 'Jio (live) Mumbai city tour' covers some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Gateway of India, Crawford Market, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. If you're a foodie, you can take the 'Mumbai food walk,' which takes you through the city's famous street food markets and lets you sample some of Mumbai's best snacks and sweets. For those who want to explore the city's lesser-known areas, there is the 'Offbeat Mumbai tour.' This tour takes you through some of Mumbai's hidden gems, including the Portuguese heritage of Bandra, the graffiti art of Bandra and Mahim, and the old fishing village of Versova.
There is also a customized tour option for those who want to explore Mumbai at their own pace. You can choose your own itinerary, and the team will plan your tour around your interests and preferences.
"We're thrilled to offer our guests a chance to experience Mumbai like the Hollywood stars do," said Eesha Singh, Co-founder, No Footprints. "We believe that travel should be personal, and our tours are designed to help you discover Mumbai in your own unique way. Whether you're a foodie, a history buff, or just someone who loves to explore new places, we have a tour that's perfect for you."
Hilton Goa Resort Celebrates Team Member Appreciation Week
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Hilton Goa Resort Celebrates Team Member Appreciation Week
Goa, July 2022: A picturesque retreat amid Goa's coastal landscape, Hilton Resort Goa, celebrated their ‘Team Member Appreciation Week’ (TMAW) recently with a spectacular gala night to remember. Film Actor, Mouni Roy and, Prime Show Anchor at CNN News18, Anand Narasimhan graced the event with their presence and addressed the Team Members of Hilton Goa Resort. The hotel staff and management came together to acknowledge and celebrate each other’s hard work and dedication, through a series of fun-filled activities.
Harsha Vallary, HR Manager, Hilton Goa Resort said, “Our people are at the heart of our success and the Team Member Appreciation Week is only a small way of expressing gratitude towards their exceptional service throughout the year while nurturing team spirit and leadership.”
Over the TMAW week, several exciting activities including a treasure hunt, singing contest, fashion show and other games were planned for employees, creating a culture of appreciation across the hotel and its team members. A grand cake cutting event with surprise gifts for all the team members, along with decadent lunches and dinners were organised throughout the week.
“We aim to develop a sense of belonging within the team and ensure that every member feels valued and appreciated for their commitment and efforts throughout the year. A cohesive team effort by all our employees is a significant contributor towards exceeding guest expectations and delivering exceptional service consistently,” asserts Amandeep Grover, General Manager, Hilton Goa Resort.
On the gala night, employees entertained the crowd while showcasing their talent on stage and bonding with each other. The team spent some relaxing quality time and discussed ideas and plans to appreciate employees' hard work throughout the year.
Meet The FoodSuperstars 2022 Chef Hussain Shahzad
/Chef Hussain returned to India after interesting stints abroad that included a gig as personal chef to Roger Federer and a position in New York’s Eleven Madison Park.
He credits chef Daniel Humm for teaching him how to cook and his mentor the late chef Floyd Cardoz for teaching him how to be a chef. Now in charge of two of Mumbai’s top restaurants
The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro Mumbai, Shahzad is on a mission to make Indian cuisine fun. Meet The FoodSuperstars is a limited series by Culinary Culture that takes you into the minds of India's top chefs as they share their stories, their fondest memories and their deepest secrets.
Chapter 1 features chefs: Manish Mehrotra, Naren Thimmaiah, Manisha Bhasin, Himanshu Saini, Hussain Shahzad, Pooja Dhingra, Saurabh Udinia, Ritu Dalmia, Dane Fernandes, Prateek Sadhu, Nooresha Kably, Regi Mathew, Asma Khan & Manu Chandra FoodSuperstars, India's Top 30 Chefs presented by Campo Viejo is India's first and only platform conceptualized to honor and celebrate India's greatest chefs.
#FoodSuperstars #CulinaryCulture #IndianChefs #GourmetFood #CampoViejo #HussainShahzad
Guest Room PPM CheckList by Engg NEERAJ MONGA
/We really liked the effort.
While there are a lot of comments, we think we need to appreciate what is done and we need to do more in this regard.
If you would like us to feature your instructional videos / knowledge share write to us - editor@hospemag.me
UK celebrity chef Alan Coxon and The Queen’s Chef Mark Flanagon praise pastrychef Vivek Chauhan of Le Meridien, Delhi for his Easter buffet
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New Delhi, April 2022: If Chef Vivek Chauhan of Le Meridien, New Delhi has a superpower, it's his ability to combine artistic creativity in the pastry kitchen with down-to-earth tips that help you bake with confidence. That's why we're turning to him for his irresistible Easter recipes, which got extensively praised by the renowned UK chefs - Alan Coxon, Mark Flanagon, Alan Heulin, etc.
This year, Chef Vivek Easter desserts range included Chocolate Easter Bunny, Bunny Ear Easter Cupcakes, timeless classic hot Cross Buns, Lemon blueberry posset, and Carrot Cake combined with a fresh layer of delicate flavors. The main show stopper was the almondy Easter Simnel cake and mouth-watering Easter Bunnies, to sparkle the festivities and represent Christian tradition.
These heavenly sweet delicacies, couldn’t stop Chef Alan Coxon, a multi-award-winning TV Chef/ Presenter, and the British Ambassador for food and tourism by praising. He said, "Congrats on the Easter Display to you and to your exceptionally skilled group in India, these culinary creations are extremely delightful”.
Chef Mark Flangan, known to be the personal chef of The Queen and head chef of the Royal Household also said, “ Superb workaround eggs and rabbits and you have a very talented team”.
Chef Alan Heulin, ex-Chairman Association of Pastry Chefs United Kingdom said, “Keep up the good work, you'll make a great ambassador for pastry.” Chef Paul Beard, Member of the Association of Pastry Chefs said, “great to see you are still producing those incredible vivid products, well done to you and your team.
On these above heart-satisfying reactions, Chef Vivek said, ''I have learned easter recipes during my early stint in London, the UK with One Aldwych, The Lancaster and The Westbury Mayfair while working with the master gourmet experts and finally, getting significant remarks from them means the world to me."
Here’s the Simnel Cake Recipe:
Ingredients
Almond Paste:
Castor Sugar - 375 gm
Ground Almonds-375 gm
Egg - 120 gm
Almond Essence- 1 tsp
Cake:
Butter – 350 gm
Demerara Sugar – 325 gm
Eggs -6 no.
Refined Flour-350 gm
Salt- 1 tsp
Mixed Peel – 105 gm
Lemon Zest- 1 no.
Method:
For Almond Paste
Mix Castor Sugar & Ground Almonds. Add Egg and knead to make a paste.
For Cake
Cream Butter & Castor Sugar together until pale and fluffy
Gradually pour eggs slowly until well incorporated
Sift in flour, salt, and mixed spice.
Finally, add mixed fruit peel into the above mix.
Put half the mixture into already lined rings. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixture and smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the center to allow for the cake to rise.. Test by inserting a knife in the middle – if it comes out clean, it is ready. Once baked, remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack.
Brush with the apricot jam on top of the cooled cake. Divide the remainder of the almond paste in half. Roll out a circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and form small balls with the other half. Place the circle of paste on the cake and set the balls around the edge. Brush the cake topping with a little beaten egg.
Glaze with a blow torch.
About Chef Vivek:
A patissier and chocolatier, Chef Vivek Chauhan is a highly accoladed Patisserie Chef with an illustrious experience of 22 years, currently associated with Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi. An IHM, Gwalior graduate in Hotel Management, Chef Vivek's passion to learn beyond stereotypical creations and reinventions has allowed him to work with Michelin Star Chefs Allyn Williams and Chef Eric Chavot & others of International Reputees. His culinary experience includes his incredible years at various prestigious properties - Taj Mahal Hotel, One Aldwych, London, The Lancaster London, the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, The Westbury Mayfair, London, and The Imperial, New Delhi. Chef Vivek is a recipient of multiple honors and awards; most notable among them is the most recent‘ Pastry Chef of the Year 2018' conferred upon by ICF. He has also hosted opulent dinners for the Association of Pastry Chefs and Craft Guild of Chefs in the UK.
Culinary Culture announces FoodSuperstars, India’s first and only Awards platform celebrating Chefs
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Culinary Culture announces FoodSuperstars, India’s first and only Awards platform celebrating Chefs
~ India’s leading culinary platform, Culinary Culture, will reveal the first edition of their annual Chef ranking recognising the country’s greatest Chefs on 19th March 2022
India, February, 2022: With an aim to recognize and reward India’s most talented chefs, Culinary Culture announces FoodSuperstars, a first of its kind annual ranking of the top 30 Chefs from across India.
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. It is all set to now reward Chefs as the true heroes of the Indian Food & Beverage industry.
FoodSuperstars will release its much-awaited list of India’s top 30 chefs ranked in order from one to thirty. Each chef will receive an award and a plaque as a badge of honor and in the event the chef leaves their current restaurant/ hotel they can take the award and plaque with them.
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. Each nomination was submitted along with an explanation of why a particular chef deserves a place on the list. The process included a physical session to debate the nominations, where the FoodHunters were made to defend their choices. 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 final list will only be disclosed on the night of the awards ceremony and is not shared with the FoodHunters.
These are the only food rankings in India with no form of outside influence or commercial consideration. No restaurant or hotel advertisements are accepted. Along with the ranking of the Top 30, each edition will also feature special awards that will be bestowed on Chefs for exceptional achievements through the year. These will include awards for Social Activism, Sustainable Cooking Practices and an award to a Food Legend. After a very challenging two years of the pandemic, India’s F&B Industry finally has something to look forward to and celebrate.
Speaking about the launch of the new Awards platform, Vir Sanghvi, Chairman, Culinary Culture said, “While many platforms recognize restaurants, FoodSuperstars is the first platform that has been created to shine the spotlight on Chefs’ endeavors, to remind us of the real heroes who work with their hands to create the food that brings us so much joy.”
The first edition of FoodSuperstars will be launched at an invitation-only high-profile Awards ceremony at The Leela Palace, New Delhi on 19th March, 2022. The event will have in attendance, prominent chefs from over the country who will fly in for the evening as well as leaders from the food & beverage industry.
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
NEWS| Jit Bose - elected as a "Fellow of IIHM" and becomes member of the "IIHM International College of Distinguished Fellows"
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The IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management) International College of Distinguished Fellows conferred the Fellow of IIHM to 28 global hospitality leaders for their exemplary contribution to their industry at a glitzy virtual event. Streamed over Zoom and YouTube on January 12, the convocation ceremony had Suborno Bose, CEO, International Institute of Hotel Management & CEO, International Hospitality Council, and Prof David Foskett, MBE, chairman - International Hospitality Council, London, coming together to confer the fellowship.
The IIHM International College of Distinguished Fellows had elected 56 dedicated professionals to become Fellows of IIHM. All of them have greatly contributed to the international hospitality industry in one way or another. The list of distinguished industry stalwarts includes Ms. Camelia Punjabi ( Group Director – Masala World) , Mr. Vijay Thacker – Managing Director – HTL Howarth), Chef. Lepinoy Sebastien (3 Michelin Star Chef Les Amis Restaurant Singapore) to name a few.
Speaking about the recognition Mr. Jit Bose, Area Director South India, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Director of Sales & Marketing Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park said “ I look forward to working with IIHM towards contributing to the field of Hospitality Education & continue to excite people to join our industry which has so much to offer”
Profile :
Jit Bose is the Area Director of Sales & Marketing South India at InterContinental Hotels Group (South West Asia Region). He is currently based at Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park. Jit has been with the hospitality industry for over two decades and has been with IHG Hotels & Resorts for the last four and a half years. He strongly believes that success comes from building strong teams.
A strategic, outgoing, and performance-driven leader who provides exceptional leadership to his team resulting in commercial success. He has led many key projects towards successful improvements in customer experience, revenue maximization, market development & executed a number of highly successful campaigns. Proven experience in building highly successful and motivated teams. Recognized for strong business acumen & strategy implementation. Transformed many underperforming Hotels to commercial success through short-term tactical activities and building a long-term vision.
Jit is an alumnus of Calcutta University and has done his Post Graduation in Marketing & attended various workshops and Development Programmes conducted by Cornell University.
He has vast experience in Commercial Strategy, Revenue Management with leading brands like Taj, Hyatt, Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels, Ritz Carlton International & IHG Hotels & Resorts. He has held various senior management positions in his previous assignments In India and Indonesia. His expertise also lies in Pre openings, brand conversions, digital marketing, content creation, and online marketing.
He has successfully launched the hybrid weddings campaign for his hotel. This innovative product has been a huge commercial success & has generated a lot of media attention in India and abroad. He enjoys training and mentoring. Few of his mentees have already become successful commercial leaders. He is often invited by Hotel schools to share with the students his inspiring journey in Sales & Marketing.
Jit was awarded "Commercial Leader of the Year in 2019 - India Middle East & Africa Region " by IHG Hotels & Resorts. Won the “ Man of Excellence Award ( Hospitality Industry )– 2021 from Indian Achievers Forum.
An avid traveler he has visited 24 countries and loves photography. music and exploring new cultures and cuisines.
NEWS | May this Deepawali bring back the endurance for travel trade & the industry prospers together: Jyoti Mayal
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May this Deepawali bring back the endurance for travel trade & the industry prospers together: Jyoti Mayal
In her message to association members and the travel trade, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI said that the industry is once again picking up and is expected to deliver at par in the coming months.
She mentioned, “At the outset, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all of you for your exemplary support and cooperation extended to TAAI and to the Chair of President which I have been bestowed with, in the year 2019, with your blessings. As we all know and have experienced that the travel trade industry has been going through its toughest time as compared to the last many decades. However, I would like to profoundly appreciate the sincere efforts made by each one of you in keeping the confidence intact, of people attached to the travel trade, by your continued efforts in keeping the show running at TAAI. Thank you so much!”
On the special occasion of Deepawali, she wished and hoped that the festival will bring back the endurance for travel trade and the industry will prosper together, especially after the eventualities caused by the pandemic. “On this special occasion of Deepawali, I am writing this to wish you and your families, good health, prosperity, success and happiness,” she said.
“It is my privilege to share that travel trade is once again picking up and is expected to deliver at par in the coming months. I truly appreciate the way members have coordinated with each other, central and state governments and worked efficiently disseminating vital information related to rules, regulations, and protocols. I once again would like to thank you for all your hard work and sheer dedication towards travel trade & TAAI and hope that this will continue for years to come by. Have a wonderful Deepawali and a prosperous new year ahead,” Mayal further added.
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Marriott News | Marriott International Announces David Rodriguez to Retire as Global Chief Human Resources Officer
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Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced today that Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer David Rodriguez, Ph.D. will step down from his role at the end of October and retire at the end of 2021 after a distinguished 23-year career with the company. The company also announced that long-time Marriott Human Resources executive, Ty Breland, Ph.D., has been named to succeed Rodriguez.
“David’s impact on Marriott – our business, our associates and our culture – has been significant,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “He has partnered with our company’s leaders to take Marriott to new heights, always with a focus on the heart of our business – our people. Among David’s many accomplishments, I think the one that has touched the most lives is his work to build our TakeCare culture. David believes that the surest path to sustainable success is to promote the wellbeing of our people. His intuitive sense of what our associates need, coupled with his work analyzing best human resources practices, is the foundation of Marriott’s award-winning approach to associate wellbeing. David will be sorely missed, but his work will live on in Marriott’s people-first policies and practices, and the genuine care that exists among our associates across the world.”
Rodriguez began his career at Marriott in 1998 as a Senior Vice President, Human Resources, where he played a key role in creating the talent and organizational capabilities to fuel Marriott’s international expansion. In 2003, he was appointed Executive Vice President with responsibility for corporate HR as well as for the human resources function for North America Lodging. Rodriguez was named a corporate officer in 2000, and in 2006, he was named to his current role leading Marriott’s global talent strategy. Rodriguez was instrumental in co-founding Marriott’s Board of Directors’ Inclusion and Social Impact Committee (formerly known as the Committee for Excellence), which oversees efforts undertaken by the company to promote associate wellbeing and inclusion and to address environmental, social and governance issues. Rodriguez also serves as Marriott’s Chief Diversity Officer.
Under Rodriguez’s leadership, Marriott is the only hotel company to be named to Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work For list every year since its inception in 1998, the first hotel company to be ranked #1 by DiversityInc, and the only hotel company to be named to the organization’s Hall of Fame. During Rodriguez’s tenure, Marriott has been recognized by America’s Best Employers for Women (Forbes), 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S. (LATINA Style), Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality (Human Rights Campaign Foundation), and Best Places for Disability Inclusion (Disability: IN), among many other accolades.
New Menu | Executive Chef Jerson Fernandes and his culinary team curate new menu for their all day dining and in room dining at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach
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From L- R Chef JP, Chef Jerson, Chef Nikunj,and Chef Rajesh.P
Food experiences provide a sense of camaraderie and open the mind to adventure. With Accor’s brand commitment to health, environment, and food, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach (NMJB) remains uncompromised in being sustainably scrumptious and delivering high-quality meals in the recently new curated menus at the all-day dining: The Square and In-Room Dining(IRD) services.
Executive chef Jerson Fernandes's culinary career world spans over 14 years, and it is these curated meals that are served as unforgettable combinations. Having always focussed on local and seasonal, our conscious kitchen and dining spaces are extending into your lifestyles, centered purely on the recovery of traditions and the authenticity of gastronomic offerings. The diners are assured of a gourmand experience of premium ingredients and artisanal techniques says Shreyas Bhagat, The food and Beverage Manager at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach.
Diners can choose to “travel locally” and appreciate greater taste flavors comfortably. The menu extraordinaire is a balance of health, wellness, and nutrition: root vegetable sandwich, nutty quinoa citrus salad, and gastronomic regionals such as the highway murgh tikka, double butter chicken, or the desi aloo tikka sizzler, not to forget the inclusion of the signature Vegan breakfast for our Vegan guests. The seasonal gourmet, the contemporary comforts, or the rustic Indian are each developed with sophistication for a deeper purpose – of environmentally-conscious practices. The city of Mumbai is the paradise of food lovers, and NMJB is known for its expansive range of local cuisines, customizing even street food classics: Juhu Bombay chutney sandwich, Bombay Pav bhaji, Keema Pav, and the Vada Pav by elevating ingredients to retain flavors, textures and freshness. The recipes of the innovative desserts such as the chef’s special dome delight, and the freshness of Tandoori chicken, Nasi Goreng, Malaysian Laksa, and Railway Mutton curry are magically developed to suit diverse palates and satiate taste buds of varying cultures, meal preferences, and first-time experimenters. So, take your tastebuds on a culinary itinerary and explore the richness of street-styled dishes as daily favorites specially curated by the culinary magicians of NMJB.
Be surprised and tantalized with featured dishes ranging from the influences of the coast, of the farm, and a philosophy embraced by a team who celebrates sustainable gastronomy and culinary traditions with due respect to nature in compliance with Accor’s Planet 21 initiative.
First look at some of the dishes
Lamb Shank
Gnocchi with braised asparagus
Crunchy Chocolate mousse cake
New Collaboration | Vivaah at Novotel collaborates with Indian Matchmaker Sima Taparia
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Vivaah at Novotel collaborates with Indian Matchmaker Sima Taparia
AT AN EXCLUSIVE RENDEZVOUS FOR ITS ALL MEMBERS THE EVENT CONJURED A DIALOGUE ON THE MODERN ART OF MATCHMAKING, VIRTUAL WEDDINGS IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIA, AND NAVIGATING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
Hyderabad 11th September :Weddings are joyful occasions, which mark the beginning of a new chapter, an occasion filled with memories that will be carried for the rest of one's life. However, due to the post - pandemic new normal witnessed by everyone, social gathering and wedding celebrations have witnessed an overhaul. Indian weddings are known for elaborate celebrations and lavish feasts, that have now been minimized as an aftermath of the pandemic to hybrid celebrations. Ms. Sima Taparia the Indian Matchmaker joined Ms. Kerrie Hannaford, Vice President Commercial, Accor India & South Asia to discuss some of this new trend and how the millennial audience is meeting, dating, and making the decision to get married in the New Normal.
Sima Taparia mingled with ALL- Accor Live Limitless members, as well as prominent Telangana & Andhra Pradesh wedding planners and brides -to- be in an intimate evening. Discussions revolved around the importance of matchmaking, the forthcoming wedding season, and selecting the ideal setting for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. The Guests enjoyed a delectable spread of gourmet delicacies and were left spellbound with the enchanting setup and lovely ambiance.
Sima Taparia said , “It's interesting to see how people across the world have adapted to the effects of the pandemic on weddings, India is no different. Having worked with numerous families over the past year and a half, we have had to work around multiple solutions to ensure everyone's interests and priorities are taken care of. 'Vivaah at Novotel' is a great example of how the new normal weddings can still be as fun, making sure all-important guests are catered to, with the same experience even when they are not able to attend in person."
Kerrie Hannaford, VP, Commercial, Accor India and South Asia said, We are very excited to have Sima Aunty join us at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, speaking to our loyalty members about her experience managing weddings during the pandemic. Having spoken to thousands of millennials, their parents, and their families, Sima is in a unique position and understands the dynamics of marriages across the world. When we launched 'Vivaah at Novotel' last year, we knew it was the solution people were looking for, that fits perfectly with requirements of our reality today. The response so far has been phenomenal and insights from Sima have helped our guests make some critical decisions when it comes to planning weddings as well."
The new normal has witnessed a complete transition towards contact-less food services and micro wedding ceremonies while keeping in mind the present norms of socially distanced gatherings. Keeping up with the need today, we developed ‘Vivaah at Novotel’, a modern-day concept focused on virtual weddings. With ‘Vivaah at Novotel’ our aim is to bring the couple’s dear ones closer to them on their wedding day through a web telecast of the wedding to their relatives and friends present in different cities. The extended family gets a chance to share every moment of the wedding with their loved ones in real-time - the joy of togetherness, the singing, and dancing during the baraat, several rituals, multiple ceremonies, even from miles apart. Two very interesting additions to this concept are ‘Dawaat by Novotel’ and ‘Shagun by Novotel’ for food and gift hampers respectively, which are the two integral parts of any Indian wedding.
Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre, said “We are extremely delighted to host the most renowned Indian matchmaker Sima Taparia. The event provided an excellent opportunity to understand and discuss the present-day matchmaking and wedding requirements while looking for intelligent solutions. We are overwhelmed by the positive response we have received for this wonderful evening. With 'Vivaah at Novotel', we have been able to adopt to the new normal by offering Hybrid models to ensure guests can continue to have their dream weddings. We offer the perfect location for wedding celebrations providing multifunctional spaces that allow the most improbable dreams of brides and grooms come true with a personalized flavour added to the mix.”
The property offers a unique opportunity to celebrate this time-honoured sacred relation and ensure that guests indulge in the company of their loved ones and their hearts are charged with magical and memorable moments. The team and staff ensure that one’s vision for their dream day becomes a reality by helping the family through the planning process at every step of the way to ensure their day is exactly the way they envisioned it. The venue offers the best solutions for a dream wedding right from conception to realization.
Insights of working in International Star properties | Vinjamuri Sriram Dutt sharing his experience of working in Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi (Preopening)
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Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi Preopening (a journey to cherish).
As a hotelier by profession, one of the best experiences I would recommend is to be part of a pre-opening team of the new hotel property to the upcoming hoteliers and students. When I got to know that Marriott is coming with a new property in Abu Dhabi in UAE, I knew I had to be part of the most momentous hospitality project in the town of an international brand. I was so glad to have my application accepted with multiple rounds of interviews, just three months before the soft opening. I’ll share my experiences with you about opening the hotel and teamwork, so if you’re interested in how to open a hotel – keep reading
The service and the glamour and glitter don’t happen in one fine day without effort it happens with teamwork and with a team of preopening with all efforts and dedication.
Want to know how to open a hotel? Work in a hotel before it’s open
I was employee number 118 when I arrived at the pre-opening office. The Rooms Division team was only made up of nine people across six departments – Guest Relations, Executive Club, Housekeeping, Laundry, Concierge, and Front Office. There was a lot to do, including understanding the brand culture, reading the core standards and Standard Operating Procedures, core brand values, and local information.
[quote]Despite the uncertainties, I enjoyed the pre-opening experience very much as it allowed me to develop new skills. [quote]
In addition, the housekeeping team was the biggest which I was part of it. The whole team was warm and welcoming and people were from different parts of the world with beautiful experiences and exposure and varieties of cultural backgrounds and ethnicity and it was so diverse that so much was going on and to learn but ultimately everyone belonged to the same brand and came under one umbrella.
Few Chapters I will un reveal:
It’s not for the faint-hearted. There was so much uncertainty leading up to the opening. When I first interviewed in the month of January, I was told that the hotel was opened on 1 April. When I joined in February, the project had been delayed until May. Throughout those months we had to prepare for the unexpected, and the final opening date was only confirmed three weeks beforehand.
Which came first – the chicken or the egg? When a new employee joins a hotel that has been running for a few years, it’s about learning the pre-existing processes and going with the flow. For a new hotel, there are so many processes that simply aren’t in place yet – for example, registration cards, menus, interiors, color combination, lightings, placement of amenities, and so on and so forth.
Meeting the Legend ARNE SORENSON: That beautiful and awe moment when I met none other the Late Mr. Arne Sorenson October 13, 1958 – February 15, 2021) was an American hotel executive who served as the president and chief executive officer of Marriott International. It was a fan moment and a great achievement as he was so humble and amazing who was visiting the hotel and city for the pre-opening and other inspections.
Build great relationships across departments while you’re still in the same office. I found this crucial, as the team grew very quickly over just a few months and it became increasingly difficult to recognize everyone but was fun as you make friends all over the other departments. These inter-departmental relationships were so important to ensure that we had continuous feedback in preparation for the opening. And also, to help each other and motivate.
Enjoy the weekends and the fun while you can. It was so refreshing to have weekends off, as someone who has worked in operations for a while. Being at accommodation and cooking and meeting friends from all the departments also meant spending this precious time with passion.
Be proud of your achievement. It’s not an easy feat to open a 25-floor building with 315 rooms and an Apartments side with 64 apartments on 5 floors. At the time of joining, we’re six weeks on from the soft opening, and we still haven’t fully opened, as we continue to sleep test and finish the remaining floors and facilities. It’s all been worth it though, as we’re not fully booked for the fifth consecutive weekend across our rooms and restaurants!
Combination of Hotel and Apartments. I was fortunate to work for Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi as it was a 2-building next to each other, one is Marriott Hotel, and next to it is Marriott Apartments. I had an amazing experience working in both the buildings and was an experience which I always cherish it gave me an understanding of the service difference between apartments and hotels by a 5-star international brand.
Enjoying the teamwork.
Despite the uncertainties, I enjoyed the pre-opening experience very much as it allowed me to develop new skills. In particular, I was able to implement various initiatives, including helping the other departments, be part of training, cross-training, develop professional skills.
Some expert advice for hospitality students how wants to join a preopening open hotel
We may be just six weeks’ young, and are still facing various basic issues, but a very respected senior leader gave us this perspective: for an opening hotel, it usually takes six months for the operations to stabilize and another two to three years for the property to mature. Opening a hotel is like looking after a newborn child – it’s about being patient and adapting to the feedback provided, so you can find your feet over time.
The Employee Experience
/We loved this from Four Seasons. Enjoy!
If there is anything you do for your employees, do write in to editor@hospemag.me and we would love to feature it.
NEWS | Chef Saransh Goila partners with Fastor to launch #CovidMealsforIndia
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This platform connects COVID patients unable to cook and who require daily home-cooked meals with home chefs, volunteers, tiffin services, and delivery kitchens who can provide these meals.
Chef Saransh Goila, Founder of Goila Butter Chicken, has introduced a platform, CovidMealsforIndia.com in association with tech company, Fastor. This initiative connects COVID patients who are unable to cook and require daily home-cooked meals with home chefs, volunteers, tiffin services, and delivery kitchens who can provide these meals.
Chef Goila recently curated a pan-India Google spreadsheet that had details of various home chefs, tiffin providers, cooks, and restaurants. This information was crowdsourced through social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter. Several volunteers who had already curated regional food services lists also contributed to this list.
Talking about this initiative, Chef Goila said, “This is the most precious excel sheet I've worked on in my life and I've worked on many as an entrepreneur/chef. It's not been easy to read messages where kids are looking for meals for parents who are stuck without help or kids who are stuck alone and don't know how to recover solo or an entire family looking for food providers to meet their needs. Someone has diabetes and as a Covid patient wants their meals tailored to help them out.”
He has joined hands with retail-tech company, Fastor for this initiative. The company is helping digitise the whole platform for food suppliers and COVID patients.
According to Karan Sood, CEO and Co-founder, Fastor all state-wise data has been converted digitally on the platform to make the process easy for the users.
Chef Golia has received a lot of support from celebrities and influencers, including actors Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Sonam Kapoor. They promoted the initiative on their social media platforms, which amplified its digital reach.
#CovidMealsforIndia
New Appointment | Novotel Ahmedabad appoints Aditi Pal as Director of Sales & Marketing
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Novotel Ahmedabad, the largest leisure hotel in the city has appointed Aditi Pal as the new Director of Sales & Marketing. Pal comes with 16 years of combined experience in operations and over a decade in hotel sales from India & the United Kingdom. She was the Director of Sales at Renaissance Ahmedabad before joining Accor.
Pal began her career in the UK and later moved to India in 2010. This is her first project as a Director of Sales & Marketing and has worked with internationally renowned brands such as Best Western, Principal Hayley group, IHG, Carlson and an earlier stint at our very own Novotel Hyderabad Convention centre.
AWARENESS | The Resort undertakes unique campaign to create traffic safety awareness on Mumbai’s roads
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Oh Lord! ‘Yamraj’ warns traffic rule violators on Madh-Marve Road
The Resort undertakes unique campaign to create traffic safety awareness on Mumbai’s roads
On Wednesday, commuters on Mumbai’s Madh Marve Road were in for a surprise when they found themselves face to face with none other than Yamraj – the God of death!
The Resort, Mumbai undertook a unique initiative wherein a volunteer dressed up as Yamraj directly confronted drivers and motorists if they were found violating traffic rules. The campaign purported that if a driver or a rider was thinking of violating traffic rules, they were stopped by the Lord of Death, Yamraj himelf! Yamraj did not just stop motorists, he also appealed to them to follow traffic rules! He also got assurance from people that they will not violate traffic rules and will care for their safety.
The Resort launched this unique initiative in a creative manner to spread road safety awareness and to educate people on the many fatalities that occur if rules are not followed. A novel idea, and one that immediately grabbed attention, the campaign seemed to be successful in making drivers think before they violated traffic rules. Road safety is among one of the major concerns of Mumbai’s traffic police. Time and again, the police have come out with campaigns on road safety, yet people end up breaking traffic rules.
When he stopped people, ‘Yamraj’ also ensured that he made them aware about various traffic rules like the use of helmets for two-wheeler riders, use of seat-belts for four-wheeler drivers, safe distance between vehicles, use of indicators, not using mobile phone while driving or riding vehicles and avoiding over-speeding.
A little distance away from where Yamraj stood, there were also boards with slogans written on them that ranged from Yamraj ko dekhke darr gaye kya to Aapka waqt abhi khatam nahi hua, gaadi dheere chalaiye and Wear helmet, wear seat belt to Ghar pe koi appka intezar kar raha hai, drive slow.
Talking about the initiative, Satyajit Kotwal, The Resort said, “The common psychology is that people are likely to refrain from an act if they are truly afraid of repercussions. Police try their best to warn people and make them aware about following traffic safety rules. But we thought the face of Yamraj will haunt them the next time they violate traffic rules on the road. I think we were quite successful in making people aware through this campaign.”
NEWS | Arne Sorenson, who led Marriott International's transformation into the world's largest hotel chain, has died of cancer at the age of 62
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Arne Sorenson, who led Marriott International's transformation into the world's largest hotel chain, has died of cancer at the age of 62.
Mr Sorenson was the first non-family member to head the company when he became chief executive in 2012.
He steered the firm's 2016 purchase of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which included brands such as the Westin.
Mr Sorenson, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019, had reduced his role earlier this month.
"Arne was an exceptional executive - but more than that, he was an exceptional human being," Marriott executive chairman JW Marriott Jr said in a statement announcing the death.
"Arne loved every aspect of this business and relished time spent touring our hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and position Marriott for growth."
Marriott, which has more than 7,500 properties around the world and owns 30 brands, said it planned to appoint a new chief executive in the next two weeks.
'Bravura performance'
Born in Japan, Mr Sorenson was the son and grandson of Lutheran missionaries.
He trained as a lawyer and worked in Washington, DC, where he started to represent Marriott in 1992 before being recruited to work in-house for the company a few years later.
GM Of The Day Initiative @ Grand Hyatt Mumbai
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CHRIS K. FRANZEN, Area Vice President – West India & General Manager – Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel & Residences has been running the GM of the Day Initiative for a while now. A best practice from his days in Oman, Qatar and now India. We at hospemag loved it!
Shashank Pathare was assigned to be the ‘General Manager of the Day’ on 18 January 2021.
Below is the initiative in detail.
More about Mumbai Grand Hyatt
