Mumbai, May 04: The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI hosted the 7th edition of its HRAWI Conclave and Awards for ‘Empowering Hospitality’ on April 29 at Regenta – The World in Surat. The event brought together the region’s finest hospitality professionals to celebrate outstanding achievements across innovation, leadership, sustainability, legacy and operational excellence. The ceremony shone a spotlight on individuals and establishments from South Gujarat whose vision and dedication have meaningfully raised industry standards and inspired growth across the region.

In a special gesture, HRAWI felicitated Mr Chander Baljee, Managing Director, Royal Orchid Hotels – the award was received on his behalf by Mr Rakesh Dogra, AVP – Operations (Gujarat). The Association also honoured Mr Arun Shetty, President and Mr Sanat Relia, Vice-President of the Southern Gujarat Hotel & Restaurant Association (SHARA) for their outstanding contributions to the hospitality sector.

“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the hospitality professionals whose commitment and exceptional work have propelled the growth of tourism and hospitality across Surat, South Gujarat and neighbouring regions. I congratulate all the awardees; their dedication continues to inspire the entire industry. I also thank all the distinguished guests and colleagues who joined us. Their presence enriched the discussions and strengthened the collective mission to elevate hospitality excellence,” says Mr Nirav Gandhi, Sr. Vice President, HRAWI.

The awards were presented to Mr Bharat Shah, Managing Director of Central Beacon in Surat with the Lifetime Achievement award followed by Marriott Surat for the Most Iconic Hotel in Surat received by its General Manager – Mr Amit Mehta; Regenta – The World for Best Luxury Stay in Surat received by its , General Manager – Jagddev; Courtyard By Marriott Surat for Sustainable Green Hospitality received by Hemang Parmar, General Manager; Le Meridien for Best Renovation with New Opening In Surat received by its General Managers – Prakash Parmar & Mr Manoj Jangid; Hilton Garden Inn for Best New Hotel in Surat received by Mr Bharat Gajera, Managing Director and Mr Tulsi Nayak, General Manager; Park Inn By Radisson for Best New Hotel in Surat received by its General Manager – Mr Manvir Singh Thakur; Uday Palace By Radisson – Navsari for Best Wedding Destination received by Mr Binu Rajendran Pillai, GM; Vedik Resort for Best Wedding Destination in Surat received by Mr Abhishek Agarwal, Managing Director; Shreeji Vatika for Best Marriage Vatika in Surat

received by Mr Haresh Mehta, Managing Director, Shreeji Vatika and Mr Fenil Relia; Fern Vishranta Resort, Kamrej for Best New Resort received by Mr Manish Desai, General Manager; Bougainvilla for Best Boutique Hotel in Surat received by Mr Girish Patel and Mr Samip Patel, Managing Directors; Avadh Utopia – Surat & Vapi for the Biggest Luxury Club received by Mr Dilip Unghad and Mr Ajay Unghad – Managing Directors and Mr Vikas Sharma, General Manager; Mr Upendra Patel, Managing Director, Hotel Patang, Akar Lords Inn & Sunotel received the award for Pioneer Entrepreneur in Saputara; Mr Mahendra Katargamwala, Managing Director, Shilpi Hill Resort for Most Friendly Owner in Saputara; Mr Habib Sheliya, Managing Director, Hotel Epical Valsad for Outstanding Contribution by Hotel Owner; 370 Kitchen for Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Surat received by Mr Janak Patel, Managing Director; Crazy Bite for Old is Gold Restaurant in Surat received by Mr Bhautik Patel and Mr Kalpesh Patel, Managing Directors; Dream Festiva for Best Theme based Restaurant & Banquet in Surat received by Mr Nazar Ali Salluwala, Managing Director; K’S Antarvan for Best in Excellence Architecture & Interior Design Restaurant in Surat received by Pankaj Selia, Managing Director; Awamii by Commonor’s kitchen for Innovation in Dining Award in Surat received by Mr Dishant Modi, Managing Director; Richie Rich for Best Culinary Titan in Surat received by Mr Bhavesh Shah, Managing Director; Coffee Cullture for Best Mixology Master in Surat received by Mr Gaurav Narang, Managing Director; Café De Meet for Café With Best Ambience and Mood in Surat received by Mrs Mitali Bajaj, Managing Director; Hare Krishna Village for Best Village Theme Restaurant in Surat received by Mr Ashok Kathiriya and Partners; Cha Cha Amliwala – Ankleshwar for Best Non-veg Restaurant at NH – 48 received by Mr Imtiyaz Vora and Mr Imran Vora, Managing Directors; Radha Krishna for Most Family & Kids Favourite Chain in Surat received by Mr Radha Krishna Shetty, Managing Director; Geetha Restaurant for Most Family & Kids Favourite Chain in Surat received by Mr R V Shetty, Managing Director; Mrs Kirti Patel, Managing Director of P’S Delicaces for Home Maker Turned to Restaurant Chain received by herself; Dangi – Vansda for Best Tribal Food Restaurant received by Mr Bhupendra Bhai and Partners; Mr Krushangi Rawal – Chef, K’S Charcoal for Best Restaurant Chef in Surat received by himself; Most Popular Restaurant of Bharuch received by Mr Hasan Ali and Mr Mansur Ali, Managing Directors of Ashish Restaurant.

Mr Salman Ali Batti & Partners of Royal Dine; Shabbir Ali Gayakwad & Aejaz Ahmad Gayakwad of Food Plaza, Bhagyoday, Goodstay; Mr Jagdish Gaur, Managing Director, Girnar; Mr Jagdishbhai, Managing Director of Giriraj Kathyawadi; Managing Directors of Jalaram Kathiyawadi – Mr Rajni Anjirwala and Mr Bharat Anjirwala; Mr Mehdi Hasan Sunsara & Mr Nazar Mohmmad, Managing Directors of APEX and De Glance and Mr Aamir Ali & Partners of Orange International were honoured with the ‘Most Restaurant Property Entrepreneur in South Gujarat’ award.

Ahead of the awards, attendees participated in a series of insightful panel discussions covering pressing industry topics, including adulteration in dairy products and raw materials, fire prevention through maintenance and good housekeeping practices and adoption of induction and alternative fuels in hospitality operations.

The Surat edition marked another successful chapter in HRAWI’s continuing legacy of recognising hospitality excellence and facilitating industry dialogue across the western region, following earlier editions hosted in Pune, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Nashik, Lonavala, Indore and Mahabaleshwar.

About the Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI

The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI is a 76 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Restaurants and Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and is considered to be the voice of the Hospitality Industry. The association is part of the national body of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata.