Radisson Blu Kaushambi receives recognition for its hospitality talent in the AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2023

New Delhi, India,  July 2023 || At the AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2023,  Radisson Blu Kaushambi – one of Delhi NCR’s top five-star hospitality brands, was honored for its outstanding hospitality services and staff. India's largest hospitality industry competition, the AHP Hospitality Challenge 2023, took place on July 8th, 2023, at the USI Auditorium in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. In order to demonstrate their expertise in 17 different categories, over 350 hospitality experts came from all over the nation. This event set a new standard for excellence in the sector.

The Radisson Blu Kaushambi stood out among its contemporaries, taking home four trophies. Deepak took the International Cuisine prize, while Mohit and Padam received bronze medals in Regional Indian Cuisine and the 45 Minutes Cooking Challenge, respectively. Sandeep won the Gold prize in the Biryani category, while Lalit was recognized for his Kabab dish.

Speaking on this achievement, Mr. Navneet Jain, CEO of Radisson Blu Kaushambi, expressed his pride in his team's accomplishments. "We are grateful to the AHP Hospitality Challenge for this recognition, and we are honored by these accolades. These honors are a monument to the dedication, innovation, and passion of our team members, who work relentlessly to offer our visitors first-rate services. We'll keep raising the bar and establishing higher benchmarks for hospitality excellence.

Success at the AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2023 is evidence of Radisson Blu Kaushambi's dedication to hospitality excellence and a testament to their unrelenting dedication to provide top-notch services to their visitors. The staff at the hotel demonstrated outstanding innovation, enthusiasm, and dedication, and their efforts were rewarded with these esteemed awards.

Chiang Mai Hotel Sweeps International Interior Design Awards

CHIANG MAI, Thailand 2023 – Meliá Chiang Mai brought home two coveted accolades last week when it won “Best Hotel Lobby Interior - Thailand” and “Best Hotel Spa Interior - Thailand” at the prestigious Asia Pacific Property Awards 2023.

Hosted annually by the International Property Awards, and judged by a panel of more than 100 industry experts, Meliá Chiang Mai, which celebrated its grand opening just 16 months ago, scooped two of the leading interior design prizes in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are honoured to receive such international recognition,” said Meliá Chiang Mai General Manager Mr Marc Selinger. “So much of the credit goes to our interior designers, PIA Interior, who have masterfully contributed to what is truly a landmark hotel here in the heart of Chiang Mai.”

Lead designer on the project, Mr Songsak Rungkiattiwong of PIA Interior, said he and his team are “incredibly proud” to have won the awards.

“We embarked on a mission to rejuvenate one of Chiang Mai's most iconic hotels, previously known as Pornping Tower Hotel, which has stood the test of time for nearly 50 years,” he said. “The hotel's rich history inspired us to infuse the refurbishment process with an element of fun. My vision was to breathe new life into the space.

“In the Lobby, our welcoming space draws inspiration from various sources. The symbol of fortune takes centre stage, incorporating elements from the spiritual journey of Wat Umong. Additionally, we have incorporated the charm of tung, a symbol of good fortune, and the lanterns of the Yi Peng light festival. These elements come together to create an immersive experience that sets the tone for the guests' journey of discovery in Chiang Mai.”

The lobby’s aesthetic centrepiece is undoubtedly the tung sai moo to which Mr Songsak referred, an objet d’art which sits in the centre of the foyer. Its shape will be familiar with many visitors who have experienced the wet and wonderful Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, at which colourful tung flags are on display at almost every Buddhist temple. In this instance, the tung is encased in a solid silver chat, the symbolic umbrella that sits atop temples throughout Thailand, offering protection.

Above the tung art piece is a ceiling designed with celestial silk Chinese lanterns, or kom, often identified with the Loy Kratong festival. Meanwhile, the walls surrounding the spacious interior of the lobby are lined with teakwood panels, all engraved with geometric patterns woven by the region’s hill-tribe peoples.

Leading downstairs from the lobby lies the YHI Spa and its seven treatment rooms. With a cool ambience suggestive of an underwater theme, the mazey corridors of the spa pay homage to another Chiang Mai landmark, the ancient Wat Umong or Tunnel Temple, with its arched low doorways seeming to burrow deeper into a blissful netherworld of Thai massage and aromatherapy treatments.

“For the Spa, the inspiration struck me during an evening walk at Tha Phae Gate [in Chiang Mai], where I witnessed the captivating contrast between the deep twilight sky and the brick walls of the city gate,” Mr Songsak recalled. “Drawing from this experience, the spa's layout was intentionally designed to evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity.”

Towering over the city’s famous Night Bazaar and the Ping River, this 260-key hotel is arguably the freshest addition to the Chiang Mai skyline in years. Its jewel in the crown is the rooftop bar Mai The Sky Bar – the highest in the city – sitting majestically on the 22nd floor, with a glass bridge commanding 360-degree views as far as the eye can see.

Facilities at the resort include Meliá’s signature YHI Spa, a fully equipped fitness centre, a swimming pool, a ballroom, a kids’ club, and three restaurants with a dedicated focus on Mediterranean and Lanna (Northern Thai) cuisines.

Owned by Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group Asset World Corporation (AWC) and launched by Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International (MHI), Meliá Chiang Mai is the first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai since the onset of the global pandemic.

The group has recently developed luxury properties in several key destinations in Thailand, beginning with the launch of Meliá Koh Samui in January 2020, and closely followed by the opening of Meliá Phuket Mai Khao on the Andaman coast.

PIA Interior is also working on the latest Meliá hotel in the country, the 33-storey INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit,, which is due to celebrate its grand opening in the Thai capital next month.

Meliá Chiang Mai also won an award this month presented by Australian travel magazine Holidays With Kids, in which it was named No 10 in the Thailand’s Best Family Resorts category for 2023.

Scoot Wins ‘Best Low Cost Long Haul Airline’ Award Three Years in A Row

India - Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has been named the “Best Low-Cost Long Haul Airline” for the third consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023 held at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, 20 June 2023.

Scoot Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leslie Thng, said: “We are humbled to be recognized by Skytrax once again. This award is a testament to our commitment to continually providing our customers with quality service, differentiated products, contemporary experiences and great value. It is also an encouragement to our staff, who work tirelessly day after day, not just on the frontlines but also behind the scenes, to deliver a seamless customer journey and experience. Looking ahead, we will continue to pave the way in redefining value travel in the industry and raise the bar for low-cost travel.”

Held at the iconic Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace (Air and Space Museum), the 24th edition of Skytrax’s World Airline Awards was attended by representatives from top airlines from around the world. 

Since 1999, the World Airline Awards has been regarded as ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry’ and remains fully independent and impartial, with travelers of over 100 nationalities deciding on the winners via a passenger satisfaction survey. This year, the World Airline Awards returned to the Paris Air Show for the first time since the pandemic, and over 80 awards were presented.

Vistara Scores a Hat-trick: Awarded ‘Best Airline in India and South Asia’

Vistara Scores a Hat-trick: Awarded ‘Best Airline in India and South Asia’ for Third Consecutive Year; Named 16th Best Airline Globally at 2023 World Airline Awards by Skytrax 

• ‘Best Airline Staff in India and South Asia for the fifth consecutive year

• Best Cabin Crew in India and South Asia for the third time in a row

• Best Business Class Airline in India and South Asia for the second consecutive year

Gurugram, June 20, 2023: Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier and a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, has been ranked 16th worldwide, moving four places up from last year, at 2023 World Airline Awards by Skytrax. This makes Vistara the only Indian carrier to feature in the list of World’s Top 20 Airlines for the second time in a row. Additionally, the airline also won several prestigious awards including 'Best Airline in India and South Asia' for the third consecutive year, ‘Best Airline Staff in India and South Asia’ for the fifth time in a row, ‘Best Cabin Crew in India and South Asia’ for the third consecutive year and ‘Best Business Class Airline in India and South Asia’ for the second time. The award ceremony took place amidst the grandeur of the Paris Air Show 2023 at the iconic Musée de l'air et de l'espace. 

Vistara also secured the 8th position, moving up by one rank from last year, amongst the ‘Best Airlines in Asia 2023’. The airline ranked 20th amongst ‘World's Best Airline Cabin Crew 2023’ and 19th in the category of the ‘World’s Best Inflight Entertainment 2023’. 

Vistara was voted for by travellers globally (from over 100 nationalities), as the World Airline Awards are based on the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey of more than 20.23 million travellers for the period between September 2022 and May 2023.  

(Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara (second from left) and Rashmi Soni, VP & Head – Corporate Communications, Vistara (extreme right) receiving the awards along with Vistara team at the World Airline Awards 2023 by Skytrax)

Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara said, “We are overjoyed to have done it again! It is extremely gratifying for all of us at Vistara to be awarded the Best Airline in India and South Asia for the third time, and Best Airline Staff in India and South Asia for the fifth time. We are also ranked 16th amongst the world’s best airlines along with winning these stellar accolades at 2023 World Airline Awards by Skytrax. These awards are a strong endorsement of our customers’ trust in our thoughtful service, consistent operational excellence and constant innovations, all aimed at elevating their travel experience. These awards are also a recognition of the hard work put in by our employees, especially the frontline teams, who have given their all to Vistara throughout our eight years of existence. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Skytrax for these coveted awards which strengthen our resolve to delight our customers at every touchpoint and on every journey.”

Congratulating Vistara and commenting on the awards, Edward Plaisted, CEO, Skytrax said, "We congratulate Vistara on the fantastic achievement of winning this award as the Best Airline in India & South Asia. The double success of scooping the award for the Best Airline Staff in India & South Asia for the fifth time is an unprecedented achievement in this region.”

Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on multiple industry forums and has also been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards. In a short span of over eight years since starting operations, Vistara has raised the bar for operations and service standards in the Indian aviation industry. 

The Westin Goa ranks #1 in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotels 2023

The Westin Goa has emerged as a shining star in the hospitality industry, recently winning the prestigious Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Hotels Award. Situated in the captivating coastal town of Anjuna, Goa, it has claimed the title of the leading hotel in the area and has secured the third position among the top hotels in all of India.

This remarkable achievement can be attributed to the hotel's unwavering commitment to wellness, offering guests a truly holistic and rejuvenating experience. Since its grand debut in 2021, The Westin Goa has consistently proven itself to be a sought-after leisure destination, capturing the hearts of both domestic and international travellers.

With a range of exceptional offerings across various domains, including exquisite dining experiences, state-of-the-art amenities, and convenient proximity to major tourist attractions, The Westin Goa has become synonymous with luxury and excellence. Its seamless blend of comfort and elegance sets the stage for unforgettable stays.

The TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards serve as a testament to the hotel's dedication to exceptional service and guest satisfaction. Winners of these prestigious awards are chosen based on millions of reviews and opinions from travellers worldwide, with a particular emphasis on parameters such as overall guest satisfaction, service quality, and F&B offerings.

Harish Gopalakrishnan, the General Manager of The Westin Goa, expressed his delight on this remarkable achievement. He emphasized the hotel's commitment to creating unique and personalized experiences, tailored to each guest's preferences. Gopalakrishnan stated, "The year 2023 has been a year of elevation in the industry of hospitality, and we look forward to continuing to excel while providing exceptional customer experiences that build unforgettable memories."

But The Westin Goa is more than just a hotel. It's a sanctuary that encapsulates the spirit of Goa, offering guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich local culture and traditions. From savouring authentic Goan cuisine to indulging in the resort's renowned Sunday Brunch, guests are treated to a true sensory delight.

Grand Hyatt Gurgaon hosted The Icons of Whisky & Icons of Gin Awards 2023

National, May 2023: Together with Spiritual Luxury Living, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon hosted the 12th edition of the Global Icons of Whisky Awards 2023 & the 3rd edition of the International Icons of Gin Awards 2023, in India. Having one of the largest event spaces in Delhi NCR, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon made for the most appropriate venue to add to the panache of the prestigious award ceremony.

Icons of Whisky are the only international Beverage Awards held in India and celebrate the spirits industry by recognizing bars, distilleries, individuals and more globally, each year. The winners are selected post consultation with industry experts and a final decision is arrived at with an international jury in the UK.

The event was graced by several HNIs, journalists, industry professionals and other valuable guests. Commenting upon this successful show, Mr. Tarun Seth said “It gives us great pride to see our event spaces at Grand Hyatt Gurgaon being recognized by patrons not only for decadent weddings but also for prestigious award ceremonies. Here’s to welcoming many more guests to experience grandeur in the details with us in the times to come.”

About Grand Hyatt

Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels bring travel dreams to life by celebrating the iconic in small details and magnificent moments. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities and resort destinations, each Grand Hyatt hotel is uniquely designed to be a captivating destination within a destination. Grand Hyatt hotels deliver welcoming and elevated service, first-class accommodations, and an abundance of options within a multicultural backdrop of dramatic architecture and bold and vibrant design. Grand Hyatt properties boast inventive restaurants, luxury spas, fitness centers, and business and meeting facilities. 

Singapore Changi Airport named World's Best Airport at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023

• This is the 12th time Changi Airport has claimed this title

• Passenger traffic between India and Singapore has recovered to 85% of pre-Covid levels.

INDIA, March 2023- Singapore Changi Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. This is the 12th time Changi Airport has been awarded this prestigious accolade, a record number since the award was first given out in 1999. In addition to the World’s Best Airport award, Singapore Changi Airport also garnered awards for the World’s Best Airport Dining, Best Airport for Leisure Amenities, and Best Airport in Asia. 

Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group (CAG), said, “Changi Airport is honoured to be named World’s Best Airport for the 12th time. This recognition is a great encouragement to our airport community, who stood firmly together to battle the challenges of Covid-19 over the past two years. We thank them for their dedication to serving Changi’s passengers and their perseverance to keep Singapore connected to the world. To our passengers, we are deeply grateful for your vote of confidence. Your continued support encourages us to keep pursuing service excellence as we expand our offerings to redefine the Changi Experience. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Changi Airport as we rediscover the magic of travel again.”

At present Changi Airport is linked to 16 Indian cities, including major hubs such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad, with 7 airlines (Air India, Air India Express, DrukAir, IndiGo, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, and Vistara) providing approximately 241 weekly services. Apart from those visiting Singapore, Changi serves as a major transit airport for Indians travelling to Australia, the USA, Indonesia, and beyond.  With India being a key market for Changi Airport, CAG  has consistently focused on 360-degree marketing efforts to promote Changi through campaigns such as ‘First in Jewel’ in 2019, and ‘Chalo Changi’ in 2022. 

As travel resumed, passenger traffic from India has witnessed a steady recovery with January 2023 seeing the number reaching 85% of pre-covid levels.

The Skytrax World Airport Awards reflect the views of airport customers. Each year, respondents of more than 60 nationalities take part in a global customer satisfaction survey to assess facilities and customer service across more than 550 airports. The World Airport Awards are independent of airport input and fully funded by Skytrax. 

Mr Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said, “This recognition for Changi Airport is from the airport customers and serves to underline the airport's popularity with international air travellers. Winning this award as the World’s Best Airport is a very clear recognition of the team effort amongst all staff at the airport who contributed to Changi Airport’s success.” 

Post-pandemic rebound travel from India and beyond

With the roll-back of Covid-19 measures and the return of global travel, passenger traffic at Singapore Changi Airport has recovered to about 80% of pre-Covid levels and is expected to reach 100% by 2024. Changi Airport’s top five passenger markets for 2022 were: Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Changi Airport re-opened Terminals 2 and 4 in 2022 due to strong travel demand. Terminal 4 (T4) resumed operations in September after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. As part of continuous efforts to enhance the passenger experience, Singapore Changi Airport embarked on expansion and renovation works at Terminal 2 (T2) in 2020. T2’s phased re-opening began in May 2022. 

Enhanced infrastructure and passenger touchpoints for travellers

Upon completion in 2024, T2’s expansion will increase Changi Airport’s total capacity by five million passengers per annum (mppa) to 90 mppa. The project adds 15,500 square metres of space, allowing for larger Departure and Arrival Halls, and consequently, more room for operations including check-in and immigration clearance. 

New leisure, dining, and retail experiences 

At the same time, Changi Airport has been adding to its growing range of offerings that cater to different interests and tastes. Apart from the nature-themed attractions of Jewel, the family-friendly experiences at Changi now also include a rock-climbing attraction and a 16m-tall play structure called Chandelier. Travellers can also catch the latest blockbusters at Changi Airport’s 24-hour movie theatre which offers free movie screenings. 

Dining delights representing culinary influences from around the world include the Flavours of Singapore F&B outlets showcasing local specialities and homegrown brands. Avenues for retail therapy continue to grow with the addition of more international retailers as well as exclusive designer labels. Changi Airport is also ramping up pop-up events to offer travellers exclusive promotions and the world’s first product launches.

ZEE ZEST UNLIMIT AWARDS- The pursuit of excellence from Travel,Hospitality,Culinary

Honouring those who are on a journey to inspire, innovate and lead. 

March, 2023: Zee Zest is a leading multi-platform lifestyle entertainment brand that enables its audiences to discover, engage & broaden their horizons on food, lifestyle, and travel trends. While it creates invigorating content by working with the finest talent in the industry, it is now time to honour the individuals and businesses who have helped this sector grow and prosper. To honour the industry shapers and risk takers, Zee Zest brings to you the first edition of the ZEE ZEST UNLIMIT AWARDS Co-Presented by L’Oreal Paris– New (Hyaluron) Moisture. The awards will recognize and felicitate those who inspire innovation, progress, and challenge the status quo; exemplifying the boundless possibilities in the world of culinary, travel, and hospitality.

The awards have been broadly divided into key pillars of cuisine, beverages & nightlife, travel, and individual achievers operating in this space. The winners will be decided by a combination of jury selection and viewer’s choice via voting process. A distinguished panel known for their limitless contribution to the industry has evaluated and reviewed all entries from each category and the consumers have voted for their favourites to arrive at the winners.

The jury comprises of tastemakers who evaluated the entries based on their deep understanding and expertise of the industry. They have been responsible for carefully reviewing the entries and making a fair and unbiased decision to recognise ‘people and institutions’ for their excellence. The jury has a healthy mix of food and wine experts, writers, influencers, chefs, consultants and more. 

This esteemed jury panel includes industry connoisseurs like chef Ranveer Brar, food expert and chef Vinesh Johny, chef and restaurateur Anahita Dhondy, celebrity chef & TV presenter Kunal Kapur and Shipra Khanna, actor and TV presenter Maria Goretti, chefs and food historians Rakesh Raghunathan and Shri Bala, chefpreneur Ajay Chopra, actor and comedian Jaaved Jaaferi, eminent food columnists Anoothi Vishal, content creators Ashwin Rajagopalan and Indrajit Lahiri, entrepreneur Aneesh Bhasin, author & liquor baron Rocky Mohan, hotelier Diwan Gautam Anand, beverage expert Keshav Prakash. 

The top 5 nominations from each category were open to public voting on www.zeezest.com/unlimitawards from 10th to 24th February following by the jury deliberation at ITC Maratha on 28th February for winner selection of each category. The entries included top luxury hotels & resorts to fine-dining restaurants, best home-grown wines to best nightclubs, and key influential mavericks in food and travel space that are carving the path of this industry with innovation, inventiveness, and consistency.

The award function will be held on March 21st, 2023 at ITC Grand Central, in Mumbai and will be hosted by famed voice over artist and actress Simaran Kaur and actor Harman Singha. It will be an evening to remember with celebrations and felicitations honouring the grit, vision, and hard work of those who have set new benchmarks in their respective field.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Amit Nair, Chief Channel Officer, Zee Zest said, "UNLIMIT represents the pursuit of unbound opportunities, innovation and excellence by breaking constraints and taking risks. It's about being a visionary, leading by example, inspiring others to reach for the stars and to strive for excellence. It is a mindset that encourages individuals to live a life that is limitless in its potential and possibilities. It will be exciting to see the industry influencers come together and celebrate each other’s work and glory at this event.”  

The first edition of the ZEE ZEST UNLIMIT AWARDS Co-Presented by L’Oreal Paris– New (Hyaluron) Moisture will be telecast on 31st March on Zee Zest, Zee Zest HD, Zee Café and will be available to stream on zeezest.com

Dr. Vikram Kamat was honored as an "Iconic Personality in Hospitality" by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Honorable Governor of the state of Maharashtra

Kamats Restaurants  bags the best highway restaurant chain award by the Food Connoisseurs India Convention (West India Edition)

Mumbai, February 2023: Whether it be a planned road trip or a spontaneous getaway, restaurants on highways plays a crucial role in providing travelers with comfort food and washrooms to freshen up. With there being a plethora of options to choose from, one brand that has stood out for the last 80 years is 'Kamats Restaurant'. With a concept of an open kitchen, a variety of cuisine to hygienic washrooms, they have always been a companion in the pleasant journey experience of commuters traveling especially on either Maharashtra or Gujrat highways. To add a feather to the cap, The founder and chairman of the Vitskamats Group, Dr. Vikram Kamat was honored as an "Iconic Personality in Hospitality" by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Honorable Governor of the state of Maharashtra, for his exemplary contribution to the hospitality industry. He has been recognized for his contribution towards the upliftment of social infrastructure and for successfully running the iconic brand Kamats across highways and Vits Hotels and Resorts across the country. This year was also special for Kamats Restaurant as the restaurant chain also bagged the 'Best highway restaurant chain of the year' awarded by the Food Connoisseurs India Convention (West India Edition).

When asked Dr. Vikraam Kamat, about how he feels after being honored by such a prestigious award, he humbly mentioned, "Being born in the F&B industry, I always have had an attachment with food, and since the very beginning I knew I wanted to give my 100 percent to this industry. It is indeed a fulfilling feeling to be honored by such a prestigious honor from the hands of Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Honorable Governor of the state of Maharashtra, for doing what I love the most. Also, winning the award for Kamats feels surreal. I am truly thankful to my family and also my team for helping me in embarking on this journey towards providing the best hospitality to my country and even abroad."

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani awarded INDIA PROUD BOOK OF RECORDS RECOGNITION FOR THE YEAR 2023.

Chef Kaviraj is a Mumbai based food and hospitality industry expert and with quality experience with hotels, airlines, educational institutions,media and more

since over 25 years now. he has not only won several national awards like the Bharat vidya ratan and golden peacock national award but also the man of excellence award for 2020, wow award for excellence in culinary and hospitality, Best Chef Asia award, most inspiring chef award and recently he also received the topmost hospitality icon award for 2023 by Asia food congress and awards held in Mumbai.

A passion and a zeal to achieve nothing but the best with complete commitment and dedication has ever since been his motto and principle in life. The journey of 25 years although has not been a very rosy one and it has had its own pros and cons. Chef Kaviraj started his journey with food at the age of seven and since then he learnt his basic cooking skills at home and moved on with them on a serious note to take this interest and hobby into a profession. his education in india and overseas certifications have moulded him in such a way that a complete 360 degree approach towards the hospitality industry can be worked upon and this has been a highly inspiring and motivating factor for thousands and lakhs of budding professionals who consider him as an iconic name in this field of expertise.

Glamour and fame always comes to those who work hard for it and who aspire and aim to dream beyond the horizons is one of his beliefs and factors behind achieving global recognition as well. Academics and experience go hand in hand and it is important to be a successful name in this field and to be able to set examples for people one needs to be constantly on the move and towards setting standards of performance and quality as well. His story of success is known across the globe today and his followers look up to his work and his list of achievements as well constantly and continuously. 

This recent award and recognition conferred upon Dr.Kaviraj is yet another example of setting records in the India proud book of outstanding contribution to the field of hospitality education and support extended towards students, fresh graduates and professionals who are a part of this industry. It is a matter of national pride on having received this prestigious place in the book of records and it will not only inspire others but also motivate him to set even higher and further records of excellence and his great work will surely be noticed hereafter as well. Our publication and team wishes Dr. Kaviraj Khialani all the very best in all his future and upcoming endeavours.

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani ( Celebrity Master Chef ) bags the prestigious Award and title of Top Most Hospitality Icons ( Chefs )

Presented by Asia Food Congress endorsed by the World federation of Hospitality Professionals.

This valentines day has truly been a memorable one for Chef Kaviraj since it not only was a special moment being awarded this special title and award for his very first love being cooking since the age of seven. Becoming a Chef was always his very focused goal and ambition since childhood and his perseverance and continued hard work- dedication and being creative has ever since kept him on top of the charts in his area of expertise and in the Hospitality Industry at large as well since over 25 years now.

Cooking and innovating with ingredients, trying out new and unusual combinations with home recipes and international classics as well has impressed a very huge audience and fan following in his case which makes him a class apart.

Having worked with some of the finest hotels and Hospitality companies in India and overseas which has made him not only learn his subject to the very best but has also helped him achieve milestones at a much younger age.

I always wanted to be different and stand out from the regulars through my work and my passion. There have been a number of instances and experiences during the journey which were not very pleasant as well but for me not getting distracted was the prime focus in life and through constant self motivation I work on my ambitions one by one and ensure they are achieved. In today's times and with the current generation of those who want success and popularity there needs to be a lot of mentorship and coaching sessions planned and executed so that experience of people like me are able to offer our best and help the young aspirants be more inclined with passion and not moving off track at any given point especially during the struggle phase.

The Hospitality industry is vast and there is a place for everyone as long as there are basics in place and a grounded attitude which wants to have an open mind and wishes to learn at the same time with a little patience and cool mind.

Asia food congress has always made me feel special and has honoured me third time in a row this year for which I'm truly humbled.

Awards and Recognitions are part of the journey where it keeps us pepped up and on the toes to continue doing our very best and offer our expertise in the best possible ways.

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani bags Pride of India Award this Independence Day 2023

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani bags Pride of India Award this Independence Day 2023.

Celebrity Master Chef Kaviraj, a well known and iconic name in the field of Culinary & Hospitality with quality experience of over 25 years now has been presented with the Pride of India Award 2023.

Chef Kaviraj started his journey into this Industry from having cooking as a hobby since age of seven years, growing up to pick the same and develop it into a profession.

Having no one in this industry from his parental background he has carved a humble niche for himself from having reached out to the world and having won several national awards of Excellence and international Recognitions as well.

He is an author- writer and consultant for hotel management colleges and Universities across the country where he not only shares his expertise designing curriculums and syllabus etc for courses related to Hospitality Management and culinary arts, besides this he also conducts workshops- seminars and webinars as well for students all over India mentoring them, answering their queries, offering career guidance and even coaching them to make the right step and make a strong foundation in this Industry. He has also been a part of various 5 star hotels in Mumbai and beyond for menu planning - recruitment and training as well for professionals.

He is specialised in over 33 plus International cuisines and loves to do creative and fusion food as well. He has been known for doing things differently over the years and has been in the list of young Achievers of India as well. On the auspicious occasion of republic day of India- 26th January 2023 - he has been appreciated and conferred upon the title of Pride of India ! We are very happy to be a part of this Celebration sharing this wonderful news with all our readers. Wishing Chef Kaviraj all the very best in all his upcoming endeavours.

Dr. Chef Kaviraj Khialani awarded with India News Index- city excellence awards 2023.

Chef Kaviraj khialani has been recently awarded with the city excellence awards for 2023 for his untiring efforts and dedication towards the food and Hospitality industry and Education sector.

Besides being actively associated with the hotel and Hospitality industry and sector involving various verticals and branches associated with Hospitality he has been assisting and helping thousands of skilled and professional entities from the industry at various levels and has also been an active mentor and coach - an iconic name in the field of Hospitality Education as well.

We congratulate chef kaviraj on this very much well deserved award and recognition at the start of 2023.

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani Celebrity Master Chef - Author & Academician has been recently honoured with the build India achievement award 2023.

This recognition is for all the efforts put in to revive and extend support to all those who wished to continue their education since the Covid Times.

The fact that thousands of skilled professionals lost their jobs and had tough times to face it is here when support and compassion came into the picture. Chef Kaviraj not only extended his very best towards hundreds of students who wanted to study and work on their careers but he also sought potential jobs for those in need at that hour and got them some stability and life-saving mechanics.

Chef Kaviraj has been known for his knowledge and his passion towards the Hospitality fraternity and his continued dedicated approach towards offering nothing but the best to all truly makes him an iconic name with a class apart.

Culinary arts and skills is a very different kind of sector where not everyone can succeed or make a career at all times. It is important to be persistent and work hard every single day and make it different and worthwhile.

It is rightly said do good and nothing but good comes back ! The Jury at Build India achievement awards were highly impressed with Chef Kaviraj's journey of around 25 years now which has been a one with outstanding performances, distinctive outcomes and a zeal to do something new all the time made them decide him as the awardee of this prestigious honor.

We congratulate Dr. Kaviraj Khialani for for this well deserved acclaim and recognition and wish him more success and awards coming his way in 2023 and beyond.

Shangri-La Abu Dhabi’s chef Manoj Lasantha wins at the global culinary contest

Over 55 countries were in attendance at the Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup

Manoj Lasantha, the executive pastry chef at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, was an integral part of the award-winning Emirates Culinary Guild team at this year’s EXPOGAST Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup. The event was held in Luxembourg in November.

The Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup is one of the biggest culinary contests in the world. This year over 55 countries were in attendance, seeing top chefs from around the globe compete against each other.

Lasantha brought home three gold medals under the Pastry Art categories, winning two for his Petit Four Plated Dessert and one for his Wedding Cake display. The UAE sent 27 chefs, including a support team from across the Emirates, to make up a collection of pastry chefs and artists from restaurants and hotels across the country. The team was awarded a total gold medal tally of 43 in all.

At Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Lasantha is responsible for the smooth operation of the pastry kitchen whilst ensuring his team is constantly innovating. The hotel’s changing afternoon tea offering is popular amongst foodies in Abu Dhabi and has received several awards over the years under his tenure.

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Bags “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India" by SIHRA

Visakhapatnam December 2022: Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach located centrally facing the Bay of Bengal, is a go-to destination for every traveler in the SouthEast region. With all Sea-facing rooms and a fitness center, the property is for leisure holidays. The property overlooks the scenic view of the Bay of Bengal with all 225 rooms having a panoramic view of the ocean. With exquisite features like a rooftop pool & jogging track, a gym with a scintillating view of the ocean and 5 multi-cuisine restaurants, owing its beauty to the beach and the views, the property was awarded two prestigious awards this year as “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India" by SIHRA.

In this glamorous affair led by SIHRA, Southern Region of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), comprises of the smallest Restaurants to the Five Star deluxe Hotels in the Southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. On this occasion, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach was recognized for its contribution towards the tourism industry in South India as the “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India" award presented by Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The glittering ceremony of SIHRA was held under the presence of dignitaries such as Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Development of North East Region, Shri Anand Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Karnataka, Dr Mathiventhan, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Smt R K Roja, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Shri V Srinivas Goud, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Telangana, among others.

On the joyous occasion, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expressed his gratitude and said, “Hotels are part of the infrastructure, and it’s the backbone of the growth of Tourism in the country. We are delighted to receive this award where we have been appreciated as one of the top pioneering leaders in the hospitality industry that has played a significant role in promoting Tourism in Southern India”

Novotel Visakhapatnam aims to continue serving its guests by providing expansive wellness services, and world-class amenities with its 225 rooms and suites to grand ballrooms and dining spaces. 

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Bags “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India” by SIHRA

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach located centrally facing the Bay of Bengal is a go-to destination for every traveler in the SouthEast region. With all Sea-facing rooms and a fitness center, the property is for leisure holidays. The property overlooks the scenic view of the Bay of Bengal with all 225 rooms having a panoramic view of the ocean.With exquisite features like a rooftop pool & jogging track, a gym with a scintillating view of the ocean and 5 multi-cuisine restaurants, owing its beauty to the beach and the views, the property was awarded two prestigious awards this year as “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India” by SIHRA.

In this glamorous affair led by SIHRA, Southern Region of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), comprises of the smallest Restaurants to the Five Star deluxe Hotels in the Southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. On this occasion, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach was recognized for its contribution towards the tourism industry in South India as the “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India” award presented by Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The glittering ceremony of SIHRA was held under the presence of dignitaries such as Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Development of North East Region, Shri Anand Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Karnataka, Dr Mathiventhan, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Smt R K Roja, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Shri V Srinivas Goud, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Telangana, among others.

On the joyous occasion, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expressed his gratitude and said, “Hotels are part of the infrastructure, and it’s the backbone of the growth of Tourism in the country. We are delighted to receive this award where we have been appreciated as one of the top pioneering leaders in the hospitality industry that has played a significant role in promoting Tourism in Southern India”

Novotel Visakhapatnam aims to continue serving its guests by providing expansive wellness services, and world-class amenities with its 225 rooms and suites to grand ballrooms and dining spaces.

Woods At Sasan wins Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, "Hotel Design of the Year”

The Biophilic wellbeing retreat in Sasan Gir, Gujarat, is honoured for being recognized for its unique architecture and interior design.

December 2022- Woods At Sasan, a modern well-being retreat in the Sasan Gir forest in Gujarat has been awarded the “Hotel Design of the Year” and has been nominated under the “Wellness Cuisine of the Year” category by Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, an international platform that honours the leaders and pioneers in wellness and travel.

Nestled in the forest, this modern retreat in the woods is the first of its kind in India – a wellbeing retreat that is based on biophilia, slow living and is grounded in sustainable practices.

Destination Deluxe Awards’ recognition drives the remarkable luxury standards of hotels, spas, treatments, skincare and wellness brands from across the globe.. The retreat of Woods At Sasan, a flagship venture by 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts, is honoured by this prestigious recognition of  its unique design and architecture.

Established on the principle of a sustainable system of hospitality through observation, engagement, learning, and design, Woods At Sasan, a forward-thinking, design-driven brand with nature and humanity at its core, draws upon the natural terrain of the land and the culture of the people to shape its philosophy which  inspires the the retreat’s architecture, environment and spirit of hosting.

The built environment at Woods At Sasan is an amalgamation of contemporary architecture guided by biophilic guidelines and infused with the spirit of the local culture and the craft of the land. Keeping the essence of land as the focus, the Stays at Woods At Sasan are designed for an immersive experience of nature and  feature a creative use of locally sourced materials. Every Stay has ample natural light and ventilation and offers glimpses of the textures of the local environment in its design and construction.

With a biophilic design led approach and conscious design decisions to maximize the affiliation of humans with nature and natural processes, Woods At Sasan has attempted to invest in building a property that aligns design thinking with wellbeing.

Quality, transparency, and originality are the fundamental criteria of the Destination Deluxe Awards, as they recognize and praise the change-makers of today who go beyond the set boundaries and innovate in their respective fields and are evaluated by a group of 17 judges, who are well-respected industry experts.

“As the exclusive winner from India in the Destination Deluxe Awards, 2022, we are excited and grateful for the recognition; which is a true testament of our Design Atelier’s efforts towards creating a biophilic space that aligns design-thinking with wellbeing at its core”, says Maulik Bhagat, Founder & MD, 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts.

Wood At Sasan wins Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, "Hotel Design of the Year”

 

The Biophilic wellbeing retreat in Sasan Gir, Gujarat, is honoured for being recognized for its unique architecture and interior design.

 

December 2022- Woods At Sasan, a modern wellbeing retreat in the Sasan Gir forest in Gujarat has been awarded the “Hotel Design of the Year” and has been nominated under the “Wellness Cuisine of the Year” category by Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, an international platform that honours the leaders and pioneers in wellness and travel.

Nestled in the forest, this modern retreat in the woods is the first of its kind in India – a well-being retreat that is based on biophilia, slow living and is grounded in sustainable practices.

Destination Deluxe Awards’ recognition drives the remarkable luxury standards of hotels, spas, treatments, skincare and wellness brands from across the globe. The retreat of Woods At Sasan, a flagship venture by 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts, is honoured by this prestigious recognition of  its unique design and architecture.

Established on the principle of a sustainable system of hospitality through observation, engagement, learning, and design, Woods At Sasan, a forward-thinking, design-driven brand with nature and humanity at its core, draws upon the natural terrain of the land and the culture of the people to shape its philosophy which  inspires the the retreat’s architecture, environment and spirit of hosting.

The built environment at Woods At Sasan is an amalgamation of contemporary architecture guided by biophilic guidelines and infused with the spirit of the local culture and the craft of the land. Keeping the essence of land as the focus, the Stays at Woods At Sasan are designed for an immersive experience of nature and  feature a creative use of locally sourced materials. Every Stay has ample natural light and ventilation and offers glimpses of the textures of the local environment in its design and construction.

With a biophilic design led approach and conscious design decisions to maximize the affiliation of humans with nature and natural processes, Woods At Sasan has attempted to invest in building a property that aligns design thinking with wellbeing.

Quality, transparency, and originality are the fundamental criteria of the Destination Deluxe Awards, as they recognize and praise the change-makers of today who go beyond the set boundaries and innovate in their respective fields and are evaluated by a group of 17 judges, who are well-respected industry experts.

“As the exclusive winner from India in the Destination Deluxe Awards, 2022, we are excited and grateful for the recognition; which is a true testament of our Design Atelier’s efforts towards creating a biophilic space that aligns design-thinking with wellbeing at its core”, says Maulik Bhagat, Founder & MD, 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts.

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.