Fairmont Udaipur Palace Appoints Amitesh Virdi as Director of Culinary

Udaipur, 25 August’2025–Fairmont Udaipur Palace is pleased to announce the appointment of Amitesh Virdi as Director of Culinary.With over 24 years of experience across some of India’s most prestigious hospitality brands, Amitesh brings with him a rare blend of global exposure, deep-rooted culinary knowledge, and a passion for authentic, culturally immersive dining experiences.

Amitesh’s culinary journey began with an early fascination for food and hospitality, leading him to pursue professional training under the aegis of the Indian Tourism Ministry. Over the years, he honed his expertise across Indian, European, Italian, Sichuan cuisines—shaping his distinctive culinary voice through acclaimed roles at Grand Hyatt Delhi and Mumbai, JW Marriott Juhu,Sahar, Mussoorie and Pune, Le Méridien Delhi, and the award-winning Punjab Grill, where he served as Executive Chef.

At Fairmont Udaipur Palace, Amitesh leads a visionary culinary program that blends the rich royal heritage of Rajasthan with global culinary artistry. His approach is rooted yet refined—celebrating time-honored recipes and regional ingredients while embracing modern techniques, dramatic presentation, and sustainability-forward practices. Under his direction, Fairmont’s diverse dining concepts are being brought to life with thoughtful storytelling, immersive experiences, and exceptional quality.

From ‘Bahaar – The Gastronomical Garden’ with its live cooking theatres, to the narrative-driven ‘Dastaan’ tea lounge, Amitesh is curating sensory journeys that go far beyond the plate. Each venue—from the Mediterranean-Italian inspired ‘The Alchemist’ to the high-energy lounge bar ‘Celeste’ and the leopard-themed bar ‘Dahaad’—offers guests a distinct yet cohesive experience, reflecting his ability to seamlessly balance regional flair with international sophistication.

Amitesh’s menus reflect a strong commitment to local sourcing, farm-to-table freshness, and wellness-forward dining. Collaborating closely with regional farmers, he champions indigenous grains, native dairy, and traditional spices—bringing seasonal integrity and environmental consciousness to every dish. Even classics likelaal maas, pittod ki sabzi,raabodi ki sabzi, khuskhus ki sabzi, khatti raab are reimagined with finesse, plated with elegance, and served with heart.

In the wedding and events space, he is redefining how luxury hospitality approaches experiential dining—curating menus that are deeply personal, narratively rich, and designed to resonate with evolving tastes. Signature rituals such as the 56-dishRoyal Thaal, live regional stations, and storytelling-infused desserts are just some of the ways Amitesh is elevating large-scale dining to a high art.

At the heart of his vision is a belief that food must evoke emotion. Under his leadership, Fairmont Udaipur Palace is not just serving meals—it is creating memories, one thoughtfully composed dish at a time. Amitesh Virdi’s legacy at this property will be defined by culinary excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to creating extraordinary moments through food.