ITC Windsor appoints Manoj Padmanaban as executive chef

Appointment overview

ITC Windsor has appointed Manoj Padmanaban as its new executive chef, marking a renewed culinary direction at one of Bengaluru’s most iconic heritage luxury hotels. With more than 15 years of experience across luxury hospitality and fine dining, Chef Manoj brings a balanced approach that combines classical technique, operational expertise, and contemporary culinary creativity.

Culinary leadership background

Career Background

A seasoned professional within the ITC Hotels ecosystem, Chef Manoj has been associated with several marquee properties, including ITC Windsor, ITC Kohenur, ITC Gardenia, and The Leela Palace Bengaluru. His career progression reflects steady leadership growth through roles such as assistant master chef and senior sous chef, where he managed complex, multi-outlet culinary operations.

Operational experience

Throughout his career, Chef Manoj has overseen diverse culinary functions encompassing all-day dining, specialty restaurants, in-room dining, and large-scale banqueting operations. His experience includes handling high-volume service environments while maintaining consistency, quality standards, and guest-focused execution.

Education and culinary philosophy

Key Achievements

Chef Manoj holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel management from Bangalore University. He is known for his strong grounding in food safety, modern culinary practices, and team-led operational excellence. His culinary philosophy emphasises seasonality, precision, and refined presentation, aligning evolving guest preferences with the heritage values of the institutions he represents.

Role at ITC Windsor

In his new role, Chef Manoj will oversee all culinary operations at ITC Windsor. His focus areas include menu innovation, consistency in execution, and the continual elevation of dining experiences across the hotel’s restaurants and banqueting venues, while preserving the property’s history of gracious hospitality.

Leadership perspective

Current Role & Responsibilities

Reflecting on his appointment, Manoj Padmanaban said, “ITC Windsor is a symbol of gracious hospitality and timeless elegance. It is a privilege to lead its kitchens, and I look forward to collaborating with the team to curate dining experiences that are authentic, memorable, and rooted in excellence.”

Welcoming him to the role, Sabrina Dey, general manager, ITC Windsor, said that Chef Manoj brings a rare combination of culinary finesse, leadership maturity, and operational strength, which will further strengthen the hotel’s culinary identity and guest experiences.