ITC Grand Chola Elevates Chef Nikhil Nagpal as Executive Chef

Chennai, India: Chef Nikhil Nagpal has recently been announced the Executive Chef of ITC Grand Chola, one of India’s largest luxury hotels with more than 11 food and beverage brands and iconic banquet venues.

A part of the hotel’s opening team, Chef Nikhil brings with him a deep understanding of ITC Hotels’ culinary philosophy and operational excellence. A true homegrown talent, his journey with ITC Hotels began at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal followed by professional training at the Welcomgroup Management Institute, the group’s in-house management training division. From the very outset, Chef Nikhil’s growth has been shaped by ITC Hotels’ ethos of nurturing talent and building leaders from within.

Having been an integral part of ITC Grand Chola since its inception, Chef Nikhil has played a key role in shaping the hotel’s diverse culinary offerings. From large-format banquets to award-winning signature restaurants, he has contributed to numerous concepts and innovations that have defined the hotel’s dining experiences. His creative leadership has also been instrumental in the success of Avartana, ITC Hotels celebrated progressive Southern Indian restaurant known for its balance of authenticity, artistry, and modern technique.

In his new role as Executive Chef of the hotel, Chef Nikhil will continue to lead Avartana’s culinary vision while overseeing all restaurant and banqueting operations at ITC Grand Chola. His focus will remain on enhancing guest experiences through innovation, precision, and sustainable practices that reflect ITC Hotels’ commitment to responsible luxury.

“Chef Nikhil’s journey at ITC Grand Chola is a true example of leadership built from the ground up. Having been part of the opening team, he brings unmatched depth, creativity, and balance to this role. As the brand custodian of Avartana and a trusted leader in our culinary operations, he is ideally placed to guide our teams and take our food and beverage ambitions to the next level. We have exciting new F&B concepts on the horizon and we look forward to his continued contributions in this new chapter.”

Shaariq Akhtar, General Manager, ITC Grand Chola,

“Being part of ITC Grand Chola since day one has been an incredibly rewarding journey. The hotel represents scale, diversity, and excellence, and I look forward to working with our talented teams to further strengthen our culinary offerings, while continuing to build on the legacy and innovation that Avartana stands for.”

Chef Nikhil Nagpal

With one of India’s largest luxury banqueting facilities and a portfolio of acclaimed dining destinations, ITC Grand Chola continues to set benchmarks for culinary distinction. Chef Nikhil Nagpal’s elevation reinforces the brand’s enduring commitment to nurturing talent from within and shaping the next generation of culinary leaders.