Written by INDIA, July 2022: W Hotels announces the appointment of Chef Aabhas Mehrotra as the new Culinary Director at W Goa, overseeing five vibrant dining venues at the hotel.
With over 12 years of strong culinary experience in kitchens across India, Chef Aabhas joins W Goa from Sorrentina by Foodhall, Mumbai. Over the years, he has worked across reputed hotel chains such as Taj Group of Hotels and The Oberoi Group of Hotels and has also had the pleasure to get trained with some of the most renowned Michelin chefs like Chef Adriano Baldassarre, Chef Francesco Apreda, Chef Cristian Borci, Chef Jitin Joshi, to name a few.
Speaking of his new role, Chef Aabhas says, “I am thrilled to join such a young and passionate team at W Goa. Known for its lifestyle and the Whatever, Whenever® culture, my aim as the Culinary Director will be to work around with newer dining styles and trends across the globe and add to the infectious vibe and energy at W Goa. I’m looking forward to curating more nouvelle and customer-led experiences for this flamboyant brand.”
At W Goa, Chef Aabhas will spearhead all culinary operations, introduce newer concepts, lead menu designs, and manage costs & efficiencies, all aimed at elevating the overall luxe guest experience.
“We are ecstatic to have Chef Aabhas join us at W Goa and lead our very talented B&F Team. He is an immensely talented chef and a creative force in the industry who continues to set the bar high for himself and the team as a mentor and leader. I am really looking forward to working with him in this new role as we grow and continue to deliver authentic and exciting B&F experiences with unmatched local relevance on an unparalleled global scale,” shares Tanveer Kwatra, General Manager, W Goa.
Born in New Delhi, Chef Aabhas finished his culinary training at the reputed Oberoi School of Learning and Development. Starting his professional journey with The Oberoi Group of Hotels in Nariman Point, Mumbai, he then moved to Taj Dubai, which took him to great heights in his culinary journey. In September 2018, he joined Sorrentina wherein he not only created fine menus inspired by meticulously handpicked ingredients but also spearheaded the launch of the brand’s retail arm, Sorrentina – Honestly Italian conceptualizing a range of pantry essentials designed to help patrons with Italian food easily in the comfort of their homes.
Chef Aabhas has won numerous awards & accolades, most notably: Chef Of The Year – Asian Food Congress 2019, Gold Medalist – The Great Indian Culinary Challenge – Western Indian Culinary Association for three consecutive years – 2014, 2015 & 2016.
Interestingly enough, growing up Chef Aabhas never really thought of becoming a chef. He always wanted to be a restaurateur but once he stepped into the kitchen, his mind was intrigued and he delved deeper into culinary art. Being a sports enthusiast and a national-level tennis player, he loves to watch sports in his leisure time. His diverse interests and fun-loving nature make him the perfect addition to the team at W Goa.