Tata group exits from Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai

As per a PTI news report, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, part of the Tata Group, announced yesterday that it has exited from the management of Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai, after 14 years of operations. It did not gave any reason for ending the management contract. Located at Deira, it was operating the hotel since 2001 and it was handed back to its owner - Juma Al Majid Group, on August 31 2015, the hospitality major said in a statement. 

"By virtue of a mutual agreement reached between the erstwhile partners, Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai, which has been successfully run by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces since 2001, will be handed back to the Juma Al Majid Group, on 31st August 2015," the statement said. Source: (http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com)

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd appoints Deepak Jad as Chief Planning Officer – Projects & Technical Services

Deepak Jad has joined Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd as Chief Planning Officer – Projects & Technical Services, a release stated. Jad’s skills cover a wide area of expertise, including project management, design optimization of projects, space planning & design briefs, technical feasibility of projects, technical standards,quantity surveying, cost negotiations and close out coordination & testing commissioning at handover stage.

 Jad was instrumental in setting up the Design and Technical services department at Accor hotels in India and has provided technical assistance for over 40 hotel projects ranging mid level to luxury projects including the construction of top hotels such as The Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur, which is rated among the best hotels in world. 

 Jad's experience spans across a range of industries and projects including Hotels, Convention centers, Education facilities,Serviced Apartments, Residential & Commercial building projects. He has attended a number of technical workshops with Accor at Paris and Bangkok. He is fully conversant with International Hotel design standards having worked with many leading International Architects. 

Jad is a qualified civil engineer with a graduate degree from BITS, Pilani and a post graduate Diploma in construction management from NICMAR, Pune, with more than 20 years experience in India and South Asia. source:(Hospitalitybizindia.com)

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts makes South Asia debut with the St. Regis Mumbai

Starwood’s Ultra-Luxury brand introduces its signature Butler Service

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of the highly anticipated St. Regis Mumbai. In partnership with Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Limited, the hotel marks the entry of the St. Regis brand in India and South Asia. With this debut, the luxury brand has tripled its global footprint in the past decade to 35 hotels in the most coveted destinations around the world, a release stated. 

“The introduction of St. Regis to India marks a significant milestone for the brand’s expansion in South Asia, and Mumbai displays a robust demand for high-end hospitality from this increasingly affluent region,” said Dilip Puri, Managing Director India and Regional Vice President South Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

 “We are uniquely positioned to cater to the needs of a new generation of luxury travellers, offering an enriching experience informed by the brand's legacy.” “We look forward to a long-term collaboration with Starwood Hotels & Resorts,”commented Atul Ruia, Managing Director Phoenix Mills Ltd & Director Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Ltd. “Through its unparalleled service, The St. Regis Mumbai provides an uncompromising experience to its guests – the global business travellers, connoisseurs of the good life, and aficionados of art and culture.” 

“Mumbai is emerging as a world-class travel destination, presenting the perfect setting for the St Regis brand,” added Amit Bhosale, Executive Director, ABIL Hospitality Pvt Ltd. & Director, Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Ltd. “We feel that it’s a great opportunity to introduce the legendary brand’s bespoke services and programs to the well-heeled travelers of today and tomorrow.” 

The St Regis Mumbai is located in Lower Parel, the city’s premium commercial, residential and entertainment district. The hotel provides easy access to the commercial centers including the Bandra Kurla Complex and Nariman Point, as well as to the airport. The hotel’s design captures an urban aristocratic style, complemented by warm tones and specially commissioned art work which lends an elegant and stylish touch to the guest rooms and public spaces. 

Residing in India’s tallest hotel tower, The St. Regis Mumbai offers panoramic views of the bustling metropolis. The hotel includes 386 well-appointed guest rooms including 27 suites and, for extended stays, the property’s 33 residential suites feature a spacious living room, fully equipped kitchen and the option of one or two bedrooms. 

Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brand's legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Mumbai features the famed hallmarks including St Regis Butler Service. Butlers provide round-the-clock anticipatory, yet unobtrusive service and customize each guest's stay according to their specific tastes and preferences. 

The St. Regis Mumbai houses nine elegant restaurants, bars and nightlife destinations. The afternoon tea ritual comes to life in the lobby which has a drawing room ambience. With the addition of local flavours and Indian estate teas, guests enjoy a distinct interpretation of the classic afternoon pastime. Inspired by the iconic King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York which was the birthplace of the original Bloody Mary, The St Regis Bar serves its own signature version of the iconic cocktail which embodies the bold spirit of the city by embracing spices like cinnamon and coriander to create a soulful Indian version of the classic. 

Seven Kitchens with its natural light, vast interiors, international cuisine and popular Sunday Brunch, is perfect for gatherings with friends and family, whereas The Sahib Room & Kipling Bar, inspired by the colonial era, is renowned for its robust Indian delicacies and flavours. 

By the Mekong takes guests on a gastronomic journey through China, Thailand and Vietnam, and Yuuka turns the finest Japanese ingredients into modern, culinary masterpieces. Li Bai offers exciting nightlife entertainment with live jazz performances and Exo,  said to be the city’s highest nightclub, offers signature cocktails in a refined setting. Guests can enjoy unparalleled vistas of the city at Asilo, the hotel’s signature rooftop bar. The St. Regis Mumbai’s luxury spa features 9 treatment rooms within tranquil surroundings. The hotel additionally offers a fitness center, a 25-meter outdoor pool with panoramic views and a professional salon. 

With over 3900 square meters of event space, including the alfresco Terrace Garden, a dedicated entrance and reception foyer, The St. Regis Mumbai reportedly, offers the perfect setting for glamorous, large scale events. A dedicated bridal area with a separate bridal salon makes the Ballroom the ideal venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Source:(Hospitalitybizindia.com)

Chef Sanjev Kapoor creates dessert using 100k gold on PM’s trip to UAE

According to a report in The Economic Times by Masoom Gupte, on Prime Minister Modi’s recent trip to UAE, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor was handed the mandate to whip up a few exotic dishes. Taking inspiration from the golden interiors of the hotel that Modi was staying at, The Emirates Palace Hotel, Kapoor created the dessert, a 100-karat gold amarkhand. Kapoor zeroed in on shrikhand, a milk-based dessert, and added his own spin to it. He added the soft mango candy, coated with a gold leaf. There was a garnish of gold dust and flakes. The blanched pistachios covered with gold dust served as tiny gold pebbles. Made of four 24-karat gold elements, the dessert had a total of 96 – karat gold on the plate, said Sanjeev Kapoor. (Source : The Economic Times)

Sula’s Dindori Reserve Shiraz features in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines of the Year

Sula Vineyards Dindori Reserve Shiraz 2011 has featured on the top 100 list of wines by the wine magazine, WineEnthusiast. The magazine’s expert tasting panel reviewed over 17,500 wines from across the world, taking into consideration factors such as price, style, region, etc. before narrowing down the top 100 wines of the year. The Dindori Reserve Shiraz 2011, racking up 93 points, was described to be an inky violet-red wine with the nose of cassis, blackberry and bell pepper and was also the editors pick. The Wine ranked 25 in the top 100 list.

Sula Vineyards discovered Dindori as a wine making region that is today regarded as having the best terroir for red wine in India. TheDindori Reserve Shiraz was Sula’s first reserve wine. This is yet another achievement for Sula and Indian wines. 

In response to achieving this international recognition, Rajeev Samant, Founder & CEO, Sula Vineyards said, “A proud moment for us as this is the first time an Indian wine has made it to this prestigious list and that too at No. 25! A great compliment to our tireless vineyard and winemaking teams, this just shows that the world is sitting up and taking notice of Indian wines.”

Source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/

Chef Jamie Oliver to open his signature restaurants in Delhi NCR soon

Jamie Oliver, renowned international chef and campaigner for good food, will bring his two restaurant brands – Jamie’s Italian and Jamie’s Pizzeria into India soon. While Jamie's Italian will open in Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Jamie’s Pizzeria will open in Ambience Mall Gurgaon. Both restaurants will open within the next few months. 

A partnership between Jamie Oliver and his Italian mentor, Chef Gennaro Contaldo, Jamie’s Italian has won thousands of fans all over the world for its tasty and affordable food, friendly service and buzzing atmosphere. The menu is based on dishes from beautiful bowls of fresh pasta that’s made on-site every day to mouthwatering grills and indulgent desserts. Jamie's Pizzeria by Jamie Oliver is a fun and affordable pizzeria. The restaurant will offer handmade, great value, artisanal pizzas topped with fresh ingredients and packed with big flavours. The dough will be freshly made on-site every day and will be cooked to order in front of guests.

 Explaining the approach to his restaurants, Jamie said, "Since I was a teenager, I've been totally besotted by the love, passion and verve for food, family and life itself that just about all the Italian people have, no matter where they're from or how rich or poor they may be. And that's what I'm passionate about – good food for everyone, no matter what". Commenting on Indian foray, he said, “I can't tell you how excited I am to be bringing Jamie's Italian and Jamie's Pizzeria to India. Delhi is a vibrant, colourful, buzzing city with an already incredible food scene, so to be opening two restaurants there is a huge honour. Right now we're recruiting for two brilliant new teams who will become part of our ever-growing family. When we open the doors of both restaurants, they'll be serving up some really beautiful, simple, great-value Italian food, all made with the very best-quality ingredients we can get our hands on.” 

A  renowned chef and a campaigner of good food, Jamie has sold 37 million books to date, made over 30 television shows and has 63 restaurants in 11 countries. Over 1.5 million people have signed his 2015 Food Revolution Day petition.

Taj Mumbai’s star chef Hemant Oberoi to launch signature restaurant in Mumbai

• Hemant Oberoi, the man behind the food at some of the Taj Group's renowned restaurants is all set to launch his dream project- a signature restaurant in Mumbai. Currently grand executive chef at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai and corporate chef for the Taj luxury division,  Oberoi is set to retire in a few weeks after serving 41 years with the Tata-owned group.
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• "Hopefully, the restaurant will happen soon. I have not yet given it any shape, but I know it will have fresh produce and no fixed menu. Every day will be different and I would like to serve what I feel like cooking that day. The cuisine would most likely be global and fusion. Both my sons would join me as I believe the legacy must be carried on," Oberoi.
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• Oberoi has played a key role in setting up some of the Taj's most valued restaurant brands —Varq, Masala Kraft, Wasabi and, of course, Zodiac Grill.

Source: http://www.indiahospitalityreview.com/