The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas has announced the appointment of Vivek Pandey as its new Director of Food & Beverage. The appointment strengthens the resort’s leadership team as it continues to sharpen its focus on destination dining, experiential luxury, and wellbeing-led hospitality.
A Hospitality Career Shaped by Luxury Brands
With over 15 years of experience across leading Hyatt and Marriott properties in India, Vivek Pandey brings deep expertise in restaurant leadership, large-scale events, and guest-centric food and beverage operations. His career began at Hyatt Regency Kolkata, where he spent nearly a decade building strong foundations across events and operations.
He went on to expand his culinary and service leadership experience at Park Hyatt Goa and Grand Hyatt Mumbai, before assuming larger responsibilities as Event Operations Manager at Hyatt Regency Dehradun. Vivek later served as Banquet Manager at JW Marriott Mumbai, managing high-profile events and complex banquet operations. Most recently, he was Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at Hyatt Regency Dehradun, where he played a key role in driving culinary innovation, service excellence, and team development.
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Driving National Recognition and Culinary Identity
Among his notable achievements, Vivek led Beyul at Hyatt Regency Dehradun to significant national recognition. Under his leadership, the outlet was ranked among India’s Top 25 Cocktail Bars and featured in NDTV Good Food’s Top 25 Hotel Restaurants. It was also recognised as No. 1 in F&B Experience, reflecting its strong culinary identity, elevated service standards, and consistent guest appeal.
Shaping Destination Dining at The Westin Himalayas
In his new role, Vivek Pandey will focus on enhancing the resort’s Unique Dining Experiences through refined concepts, compelling storytelling, and thoughtfully curated guest journeys. His mandate also includes building a strong non-resident dining strategy, positioning the resort’s restaurants and bars as preferred destinations for local patrons.
Equally important to his role is fostering a people-first culture that prioritises associate wellbeing, engagement, and long-term growth, in line with Westin’s brand philosophy.
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Director of Food & Beverage on His New Role
Speaking on his appointment, Vivek Pandey said,
“The Westin Himalayas is a truly distinctive destination, seamlessly blending wellness, nature, and elevated hospitality. I am excited to be part of a property that has already set strong benchmarks in experiential luxury. I look forward to working closely with the team to further enhance our culinary offerings, create meaningful dining experiences, and contribute to the resort’s continued evolution as a leading destination for wellbeing-driven hospitality.”
Leadership Perspective from the Resort
Commenting on the appointment, Chinmaya Chikkamath, General Manager, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas, said,
“Food and beverage is a core pillar of the guest journey at The Westin Himalayas, and Vivek’s depth of experience, creative vision, and people-focused leadership make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. His strong understanding of destination dining, combined with his commitment to innovation and team wellbeing, will play a key role in further strengthening our culinary offerings and elevating the overall resort experience.”
Reinforcing the Resort’s Culinary Vision
Known for his collaborative and people-first leadership style, Vivek believes in leading from within the team, encouraging open communication, accountability, and shared ownership. With his appointment, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas reinforces its commitment to building a strong food and beverage identity rooted in innovation, authenticity, and thoughtful service, creating memorable dining experiences aligned with the brand’s philosophy of wellbeing and mindful living.
