Indian Hospitality Trailblazers
What happens when visionary education meets boundless culinary curiosity? Dr Nisheeth Srivastava empowers his faculty to ‘Go Beyond the Syllabus’ while Chef Paul Noronha embodies the mantra ‘If you never try, you’ll never know’.
Chef Paul Noronha: Executive Chef at ITC Maratha, Mumbai
Born and raised in Dadar, Mumbai, Chef Paul Noronha grew up in a Goan household where the rhythmic grinding of masalas, and the joy of shared meals shaped his earliest memories. Under his mother’s guidance, Paul discovered a passion for cooking that became his life’s calling. He honed his skills at the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Mumbai, building a strong foundation in culinary arts. Now, as Executive Chef at ITC Maratha, Mumbai, he brings his expertise to restaurants, including the famed Kebabs & Kurries.
Paul’s gastronomic journey with ITC Hotels began in 1992 as a management trainee at ITC Maurya Sheraton in Delhi. From his early days at Bali High to leading the all-female team at West View, he demonstrated versatility and skill. In 2001, he joined ITC Maratha in Mumbai as a senior sous chef, where he played a pivotal role in launching its coffee shop and managing large-scale banquets.
A life-changing chapter in Paul’s career unfolded under the tutelage of the legendary Chef Imtiaz Qureshi at ITC Sonar in Kolkata. Handpicked by Qureshi, Paul mastered the art of traditional Dum Pukht slow-cooking and Awadhi cuisine. Qureshi’s wisdom instilled in him the ability to balance discipline with creativity, a skill Paul now imparts to aspiring chefs.
Paul’s aromatic recipes blend tradition, sustainability, and authenticity, enhanced by his favourite ingredients, including thyme, saffron, clove, yellow chilli powder, and peppers. Over three decades, Paul has crafted memorable meals for global luminaries, including former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul, footballer Ronaldinho, and Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan.
Dr Nisheeth Kumar Srivastava – Principal of IHM, Mumbai
Dr Nisheeth Kumar Srivastava, Principal of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai, since August 2022, brings with him 39 years of expertise in hospitality operations and education. An alumnus of IHM Lucknow, he is the founder of the Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology and FHRAI-IHM, establishing a lasting legacy of academic excellence.
| Period | Key Academic & Professional Milestones |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Diploma in Hotel Management (IHM Lucknow) & Assistant Commission-De-Rang at Hyatt Regency Delhi. |
| 2000–2007 | Principal at Banarsidas Chandiwala IH&MCT and Director at FHRAI-IHM. |
| 2008–2022 | Served as Principal at IHM Srinagar and IHM Kolkata; Director at NCHMCT, Noida. |
| 2022–Present | Principal of IHM Mumbai; PhD in Tourism from IGNOU (2023). |
Dr Srivastava’s literary contributions enrich IHM Mumbai’s academic landscape. He has authored "A Textbook of Communicative English" and "Social, Economic & Gender Inclusiveness in Tourism and Hospitality Industry." At IHM Mumbai, he led the development of Legends of IHM, Mumbai, celebrating the institute’s 70-year legacy.
Dr Srivastava’s guiding principle, “Go Beyond the Syllabus,” encourages both faculty and students to transcend traditional learning paradigms. He has reoriented IHM Mumbai’s curriculum towards Indian cuisine, moving away from a predominantly continental focus. Infrastructure enhancements, including Kian systems and electric induction cooking, further reflect a commitment to sustainability and modernisation.
His contributions have earned him several prestigious accolades, including the Times Icon Award 2024, the 31st Ashirvad Rajbhasha Puraskar 2023, and the Best Principal award by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. As IHM Mumbai continues to flourish under his guidance, Dr Srivastava’s fusion of tradition and innovation is shaping a new generation of hospitality leaders.
