National, 21^st  August 2026 – The Ritz-Carlton, Pune is pleased to announce the appointment of Dirham Haque as Director of Culinary. Dirham brings with him over 15 years of rich culinary experience across India and the Middle East, having worked with some of the region’s most renowned luxury hospitality brands, including ITC Hotels, The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and JW Marriott. His expertise spans luxury hotels, specialty restaurants, banqueting operations, and pre-opening projects, underscoring a distinguished career marked by culinary innovation, operational excellence, and a passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences.

Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, Dirham served as Director of Culinary at JW Marriott Hotel Kolkata, where he oversaw seven restaurants, bars, and extensive banqueting operations. Earlier, he was part of the pre-opening team at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE, helping launch six restaurants and bars before progressing to the role of Executive Chef.

Dirham began his culinary career with ITC Maurya, New Delhi, where he was part of the acclaimed Dum Pukht team, ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. His experience also includes pre-opening contributions at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, leadership roles at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai, and exposure at the iconic Al Mahara at Burj Al Arab. During his tenure with The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in Gurgaon and Dubai, he played a key role in the success of Ananta at The Oberoi, Dubai, which earned three Black Hats, one of the region’s highest culinary accolades and an equivalent of Michelin-star recognition in the region.

In his new role as Director of Culinary at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, Dirham will bring his extensive international and Indian culinary experience to further elevate the hotel’s dining experiences, champion culinary excellence, and create memorable gastronomic journeys for guests and Ladies and Gentlemen alike.

“Joining The Ritz-Carlton, Pune is an exciting milestone. I look forward to working with the excellent team her to curate memorable dining experiences, win more accolades and uphold the brand’s iconic gold standards of service.”

Dirham Haque

His appointment reflects The Ritz-Carlton, Pune’s continued commitment to culinary excellence and innovation, further strengthening its position as one of the city’s premier luxury hospitality destinations. With his deep expertise across luxury hospitality, specialty dining, and large-scale culinary operations, Dirham is poised to create distinctive gastronomic experiences that delight guests and uphold the legendary service standards of The Ritz-Carlton.