Mumbai : Chef Neeraj Tyagi, Cluster Director of Culinary – West India, Hyatt Hotels, has been named Chef of the Year at the ET Hospitality World Restaurants & Nightlife Awards 2026, recognizing a career spanning more than 26 years in hospitality.
At Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel & Residences, Chef Neeraj’s work reflects a simple belief: a great hotel restaurant should be a destination. It should give people a reason to come, whether for a familiar favourite, an unexpected discovery or an occasion worth celebrating. Since joining the hotel in 2024, he has helped shape distinct culinary identities across its restaurants and event spaces.
At Celini, his focus on regional Italian cuisine, thoughtful sourcing and authentic flavours brings renewed character to the dining experience. At China House, the introduction of Xinjiang cuisine and specialist chefs has broadened the restaurant’s culinary expression. At The Grand Showroom, he has helped bring food theatre into events, making dining an integral part of the celebration rather than simply an accompaniment.
Together, these experiences reflect the ambition of Grand Hyatt Mumbai: to be a hotel that belongs as much to the city as to its travelers, where different restaurants and occasions create different reasons to return.
Beyond Mumbai, Chef Neeraj oversees culinary direction across seven Hyatt properties, bringing a thoughtful approach to the distinct guests, destinations and dining expectations of each hotel.
His philosophy extends beyond the plate. He champions seasonal ingredients, relationships with local producers and artisans, and the development of young culinary talent. His commitment to mentorship reflects a belief that memorable hospitality begins with the people who create it.
Having worked across India and international markets, Chef Neeraj brings a breadth of experience shaped by diverse culinary traditions. His latest recognition adds to previous industry honours, including Chef of the Year at the Times Food & Nightlife Awards in 2022.
For Chef Neeraj, the work continues through the restaurants he shapes, the chefs he develops, and the occasions guests choose to celebrate around his tables.
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