The Celebrity Chef Connection

Hotels are shaking and stirring up their food and beverage offerings by having celebrity chefs showcase their repertoire to serve guests new experiences.

- BINDU GOPAL RAO

Collaborating with celebrity chefs brings with it a host of benefits, both tangible and intangible. These partnerships generate buzz around the hotel, attracting a wider audience, including local diners who may not be regular hotel guests but are drawn to the exclusive experiences offered.

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Hoteliers are embracing celebrity chef collaborations because they create an environment where cross-pollination of ideas and culinary innovation can flourish. By partnering with renowned chefs, it opens the doors to exciting culinary possibilities that reflect both local and global trends. This not only appeals to food enthusiasts but also introduces existing guests to new dining experiences.

Rahul Puri, Cluster General Manager for The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi & The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa, says, "We recently hosted Chef Shannon Bennett, the acclaimed Australian chef, known for his expertise in contemporary fine dining, who curated an exclusive modern Australian-European 7-course menu at our renowned Italian restaurant, Prego. This was a culinary journey that captured the essence of Australian cuisine with global influences. We also had an exciting two-day pop-up with Chef Varun Totlani from Masque, counted among Asia's best restaurants and one of India's most progressive restaurants, featuring a 10-course tasting menu at The Story Club & Lounge. These kinds of collaborations are designed to not only diversify our food and beverage offerings but also to elevate our guests' dining experiences, keeping them engaged and intrigued by something new each time they visit."

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