Khushnooma Kapadia, the Senior Area Director of Marketing – South Asia at Marriott International, is no stranger to accolades. Having steered a portfolio of over 135 hotels towards unprecedented success, she’s also garnered titles such as the “Women Leadership Achievement Award” by the World Women Congress and “50 Most Talented CMOs – India.” Fresh off orchestrating a show-stopping epicurean affair, ‘The Power Play,’ Ms Kapadia shares how five of the nation’s top female chefs joined forces for a five-course culinary extravaganza at The Ritz-Carlton in Pune and Bengaluru. In conversation, she recounts the vision behind these decadent soirées and emphasises Marriott’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, local sourcing, and sustainable dining. Read on for an insight into her blueprint for harnessing female talent, expanding the brand’s gastronomic footprint, and crafting experiences that simply can’t be missed.
Could you tell us about the inspiration behind ‘The Power Play’ event? What sparked the idea of bringing together five leading female chefs from across the country to curate a 5-course experiential menu?
In recent years, India’s love for immersive dining experiences has peaked, with diners seeking not just meals but memorable journeys that celebrate flavors, artistry, and storytelling. High-end gastronomy is the primary driver for luxury travel with 88% of High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) Indians planning holidays around food. Recognizing this evolving trend, a new wave of innovators are shaping the future of India’s culinary landscape. Among these disruptors are many talented women chefs, who are redefining the art of cuisine by crafting unique dining experiences.
Our latest initiative in collaboration with Culinary Culture, ‘The Power Play’, was born from this vision to pay tribute to the women redefining India’s culinary identity. This extraordinary event brought to the fore leading talent comprising six of India’s most celebrated female chefs to curate a five-course experiential degustation menu. Along with these culinary masters, we also had our own in-house lady Chefs, shadow the experts, giving them the opportunity to work alongside the best and grow their own repertoire of experience.
Each course was a reflection of the chefs’ personal journeys and regional roots, offering diners an unforgettable evening of storytelling and exceptional cuisine. Unfolding over two exclusive evenings at The Ritz-Carlton in Pune followed by Bengaluru — The Power Play was not just a dining showcase, but a celebration of India’s culinary diversity and the transformative role of women in shaping its future.
How was the response from the patrons at The Ritz-Carlton in Pune and Bangalore? What elements of the event do you think resonated most with guests, and did you integrate any local produce, artisans, or cultural influences to highlight community engagement and sustainability?
Bringing together India’s leading chefs in a one-of-its-kind culinary celebration, The Power Play conceptualized by Masters of Marriott Bonvoy & Culinary Culture was very well received by guests across its two successful editions in Pune and Bengaluru. What truly set the experience apart was the personal connection diners forged with the chefs, as they shared anecdotes and inspirations behind each dish. This unique fusion of storytelling, local influences, and exceptional cuisine resonated deeply with patrons, delivering a meaningful and unforgettable dining experience.
As a culinary practice across all our hotels, we strongly advocate sourcing fresh, sustainable ingredients, showcasing the craftsmanship of local communities, where every meal tells a story of the destination. These efforts not only support local economies and promote sustainability but also offer guests an authentic taste of the region’s heritage.
Our six master chefs are storytellers through food, each bringing generations of regional expertise to their craft. Their dishes interweave personal heritage with local traditions, transforming meals into meaningful cultural experiences. Every plate carried the legacy of its origins – from the soil where ingredients were nurtured to the time-honored techniques used in their preparation.
Each of these five chefs—Chef Doma Wang, Chef Mythrayie Iyer, Chef Vanshika Bhatia, Chef Pooja Dhingra, and Chef Nooresha Kably—come with a distinct culinary background. How did their diverse expertise (from Tibetan to Japanese to European influences) come together to create a cohesive yet adventurous dining experience?
Our six chefs brought their unique culinary niches and presented that on a plate, serving up a one-of-a-kind dining experience that was cohesive yet adventurous on the palette. We wanted to give audiences storytelling through food and this initiative helped us do so, through creative diversity.
Chef Doma Wang, hailed the “Momo Queen of Kolkata,” infused the menu with the bold and comforting flavors of Tibetan cuisine, Chef Mythrayie Iyer brought her innovative touch to modern Indian cuisine, drawing from her experience at renowned establishments like Avartana and Farmlore. Chef Pooja Dhingra, a trailblazer in India’s pâtisserie scene, added a sweet touch with her signature finesse and creativity, while Chef Vanshika Bhatia’s focus on European flavours, blended tradition with innovation for Indian palettes. Chef Seefah Ketchaiyo brought Thai cuisine as the final course before dessert, while Chef Nooresha Kably of the acclaimed Japanese restaurant Izumi, added an element of precision and elegance inspired by Japanese culinary traditions for the Bengaluru leg of the event.
All in all, this experience crafted was more than just a five-course menu; it was a collaborative celebration of diversity in cultures. The innovative menu served with a side of anecdotes, insights, and shared stories by these exceptionally talented women made the evening an unforgettable celebration of culinary connection, artistry, and diversity.
Could you share any standout moments or dishes from each of these chefs that really wow-ed the guests? Beyond the exquisite cuisine, what deeper messages around female empowerment, collaboration, or innovation do you hope guests took away from ‘The Power Play’?
It would be hard to call out favourites here, each of the chefs’ ability to tell a story through their creations, paired with their meticulous attention to detail, ensured every dish resonated deeply with our guests.
While the diverse and authentic preparations were undoubtedly a highlight, the true hero of the evening for us was the broader impact we aimed to drive with The Power Play, which went beyond just great food. With each chef bringing a standout moment to the table, through their preparations as well as their unique narratives and stories, the experience culminated as a celebration of India’s culinary diversity powered by the collaboration, innovation, and the brilliance of women shaping the culinary and hospitality industry.
Women’s empowerment is a key theme in this initiative. How does ‘The Power Play’ reflect Marriott’s wider values and commitment to supporting female leadership in the hospitality industry?
Over the past few years, India’s hospitality landscape has evolved significantly, with more women donning the chef’s hat in driving culinary innovation and excellence. It’s particularly heartening to see women transition into roles that were once uncommon, such as moving from housekeeping to the kitchen and excelling as confident chefs and bakers.
Through Masters of Marriott Bonvoy, we have always strived to bring innovative dining experiences to life by collaborating with trailblazers in the culinary world, many of whom are women redefining the art of cuisine. By spotlighting these immensely talented chefs with Power Play, we hope to inspire the next generation of women in hospitality while raising the bar for culinary excellence across the country.
Marriott Bonvoy is an integral part of the brand experience. How did this event tie in with the Marriott Bonvoy program, and in what ways do you see events like ‘The Power Play’ adding value to member engagement?
India’s rich and diverse culinary landscape, with its mix of traditional and modern influences, is a perfect backdrop for Marriott Bonvoy to lead the way in delivering memorable, immersive experiences through cuisine – something that we are committed to capturing through our IP – Masters of Marriott Bonvoy, that helps make innovative dining experiences more accessible by collaborating with trailblazers in the culinary world. Events like The Power Play align perfectly with this mission of creating unforgettable moments for our members, with extraordinary culinary experiences that go far beyond dining. As we continue to partner with top culinary talent, we aim to bring even more exclusive, unforgettable experiences for our guests, designed to deliver unforgettable memories and inspire loyalty.
Looking beyond the inaugural editions in Pune and Bangalore, do you plan to expand ‘The Power Play’ to other Marriott properties across South Asia or perhaps take it to a global stage? How might you continue to incorporate community, sustainability, and local partnerships in these expansions?
It has been an incredible honor uniting India’s top chef’s for this unique 5 course, 10-hand degustation. As we continue to innovate on immersive, top of the line culinary experiences at Masters of Marriott Bonvoy, learnings from The Power Play will continue to guide the direction we take.
Future Master of Marriott Bonvoy editions will continue to integrate community engagement, sustainability, and local partnerships at the core, ensuring each edition reflects the unique cultural and social fabric of its location while aligning with Marriott’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve.
What key learnings did you and your team take away from the event’s success? From fostering chef collaboration to guest engagement and sustainable practices, how will these insights shape future Marriott events and campaigns?
Today’s diners are curious, adventurous, and possess a refined palate. They appreciate high-quality ingredients and are well-traveled, seeking dining experiences that mirror their global explorations. At home, they crave immersive culinary journeys rooted in hyper-local flavors and sustainable practices. Through our collaboration with six exceptional chefs at Masters of Marriott Bonvoy, each bringing unique strengths, expertise, and innovative approaches, we aimed to craft distinctive experiences that resonated with the modern diner. By utilizing locally sourced, top-quality produce and employing practices like zero-waste cooking and fermentation, the chefs delivered dishes that were both creative and sustainable. The response was nothing short of extraordinary—both in Pune and Bengaluru, we enjoyed full houses, reflecting the success of our vision.
Building on this momentum, our next Masters of Marriott Bonvoy events will be even more ambitious, delivering elevated experiences that cater to the evolving tastes and expectations of today’s discerning diners.
