Chef Girish Chandra Kandpa

Chef Girish Chandra Kandpa Executive Chef – Saura Hotel, Agra (Club Mahindra)

Chef Girish Chandra Kandpal is a passionate, dedicated, and seasoned culinary professional with nearly two decades of experience in top-tier kitchens across India and the Middle East. Renowned for his exceptional culinary acumen and operational leadership, he has consistently delivered extraordinary dining experiences by blending traditional flavors with modern techniques. Chef Girish’s ability to adapt to diverse culinary environments, lead large teams, and maintain high standards has earned him accolades and a distinguished reputation in the hospitality industry.

Throughout his career, Chef Girish has worked in a wide range of establishments, from luxury hotels and resorts to innovative restaurant brands, including pre-opening ventures. His strength lies in conceptualizing unique menus, managing cost efficiency, and fostering a team-driven culture focused on excellence. His culinary repertoire spans Northwest Frontier cuisine, Indian fusion, Western, and Pan-Asian offerings, reflecting both versatility and creativity.

In addition to his culinary expertise, Chef Girish excels in administrative functions such as vendor management, cost control, quality audits, staff training, and food safety compliance. His leadership is marked by a collaborative and empowering approach that nurtures team members and encourages innovation. He has also contributed to successful ISO certifications and has been instrumental in launching new F&B outlets from the ground up.

Chef Girish’s achievements include multiple recognitions such as the “HOD of the Year” award, numerous employee excellence awards, and media features in prominent publications. His work has positively impacted brand visibility, guest satisfaction scores, and revenue growth across the properties he has led.

Whether orchestrating grand banquet operations or curating intimate fine-dining experiences, Chef Girish remains committed to crafting memorable food journeys that resonate with guests. His vision is not only to meet expectations but to consistently elevate them—delivering food that tells a story, inspires palates, and reflects the rich tapestry of culinary artistry.

As he continues his journey, Chef Girish aspires to further redefine excellence in hospitality and contribute to the evolution of global Indian cuisine with passion, precision, and purpose. with a proven record of managing top-tier kitchens and delivering exceptional food experiences. Known for his innovation in Indian and international cuisines, he combines technical mastery with modern trends, ensuring guest satisfaction and operational excellence. With a leadership style grounded in quality, consistency, and motivation, Chef Girish continues to elevate culinary standards across prestigious properties.

Personal Statement

Chef Girish Chandra Kandpal is a highly motivated and diligent culinary professional with a deep passion for food, hospitality, and guest satisfaction. Known for his hands-on leadership and unique cooking techniques, he consistently delivers excellence while maintaining profitability and operational efficiency. Chef Girish thrives in dynamic kitchen environments and is always focused on raising service and food standards. As he seeks his next opportunity, he is looking to contribute his talents to a forward-thinking organization that values creativity, discipline, and innovation in culinary management. and exceeding guest expectations. He brings unique cooking techniques and is committed to enhancing kitchen performance while maintaining profitability. He is now seeking opportunities with organizations that value innovation and talent.

Skills and Expertise

Chef Girish Chandra Kandpal brings an expansive and versatile set of skills to the culinary world, which reflect his experience across various roles and international kitchens.

Preopening Operations
He has been instrumental in preopening projects, handling equipment and utensil procurement, staff recruitment, simulation exercises, and menu design. His expertise in menu trials and food presentation ensures a strong brand launch and guest-ready excellence from day one.

Culinary Styles
Chef Girish is proficient in a wide range of culinary techniques and regional cuisines, including modern plating, Northwest Frontier, Indian fusion, Western, and Pan-Asian styles. His culinary diversity enhances menu appeal and customer satisfaction across multiple segments.

Leadership and Management
With proven leadership in high-volume kitchens, he excels in scheduling, team-building, quality and cost control, and food safety management. His people-first leadership style fosters productivity, creativity, and morale.

Administrative Strengths
Chef Girish is also skilled in behind-the-scenes operations, including vendor coordination, staff hiring, procurement, documentation, and internal reporting. His operational oversight contributes to budget efficiency and streamlined performance.

Early Life and Education

Born on 25th December 1986 in Okhlisiroad village, District Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, Chef Girish Kandpal developed a deep appreciation for culinary arts rooted in the rich traditions of Indian cuisine. His early environment, surrounded by the natural bounty and cultural heritage of Uttarakhand, shaped his palate and discipline for food production.

Driven by a commitment to learning and professional excellence, Chef Girish pursued a Diploma in Hospitality Management (Food Production) from AFCI, Rishikesh in 2006. He later obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kumaon University (2010, Correspondence) and went on to complete his MBA in Operations Management from Sikkim Manipal University in 2015—a rare combination of culinary creativity and managerial acumen.

He holds certifications in food safety and quality standards, including:

Level 3 HACCP Implementation & Monitoring – CIEH, UK (2015)
Level 2 Award in Food Safety – CIEH, UK (2015)
Food Safety Certificate – Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority
Certificate in Computer Basics – Proficient in DOS, Windows, and MS Office

Culinary Skills and Expertise

Chef Girish specializes in:

Culinary Styles: Northwest Frontier, Indian Fusion, Modern Plating, Western, and Pan-Asian cuisines
Operational Expertise: Preopening operations, equipment and utensil procurement, simulation planning
Menu Engineering: Thematic buffet concepts, innovative dishes, and Indian vegetarian fine dining
Leadership and Management: Team scheduling, recruitment, cost and quality management, staff training
Administrative Abilities: Vendor negotiations, ISO implementation, documentation, and regulatory compliance

Current Role: Executive Chef – Saura Hotel, Agra (Club Mahindra)

Tenure: November 2024 – Present

As the Executive Chef of Saura Hotel, Agra—a premium 5-star property under Club Mahindra with 150 rooms, a Mughal specialty restaurant, an all-day coffee shop, a bar, and a 500-guest banquet facility—Chef Girish oversees full-scale kitchen operations. His role involves:

Managing kitchen staffing, budgeting, and food cost control
Designing and executing thematic buffet spreads
Conducting performance-based staff training and feedback sessions
Maintaining FSSAI compliance and hygiene protocols
Handling banquet menu planning and vendor coordination

He consistently achieves guest satisfaction scores of 4.7/5, affirming his commitment to culinary excellence and guest delight.

Previous Role: Executive Chef – Mahindra Holidays, Udaipur

Tenure: December 2022 – November 2024

At this flagship Mahindra resort, Chef Girish:

Led the successful ISO 22000:2018 certification as Food Safety Team Leader (FSTL)
Surpassed KPIs in guest feedback, audit scores, and cost efficiencies
Honored with the Unnati Award for outstanding quality improvement initiatives
Named Head of the Department (HOD) of the Year – 2024

Leadership Journey: Lemon Tree Hotels

Lemon Tree Sector 29, Gurugram

Tenure: December 2019 – December 2022

Lemon Tree Whitefield, Bangalore

Tenure: August 2018 – December 2019

At both properties, Chef Girish was responsible for:

Leading banquets, restaurant, and bar operations
Creating personalized guest experiences through curated culinary programs
Managing large teams across multiple food and beverage outlets

International Experience – Muscot Advertising, Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Tenure: February 2016 – January 2018

Chef Girish brought his expertise to the Middle East, where he managed:

Royal Biryani, Salam Bombay, and Royal Bite brands
Pre-opening operations for fine dining and casual dining outlets
Specialized in vegetarian Mumbai-style menus and modern Indian cuisine

Previous Leadership Roles

Executive Sous Chef – Ramada Encore, Bangalore

Tenure: September 2013 – February 2016
Promoted from Sous Chef, he handled Indian cuisine and full kitchen operations during preopening.

Junior Sous Chef – Mahindra Holidays, Virajpet

Tenure: March 2013 – September 2013
Focused on Indian culinary offerings and operational excellence.

Chef de Partie – Accor Hotels IBHR, Bangalore

Tenure: October 2011 – March 2013
Part of the preopening team; recognized for leadership and team building.

Kitchen Executive – Lemon Tree Hotels EC, Bangalore

Tenure: August 2009 – October 2011
Joined as a trainee and rose to Kitchen Executive, winning Employee of the Month twice.

Formative Years in the Kitchen

Commis Chef Roles (2006 – 2009)

Best Western, Sarovar Portico, Golden Waters, and Quality Inn
Trained extensively across Indian, Tandoor, Western, and Oriental cuisines
Developed foundational skills and techniques in professional kitchen settings

Awards and Recognitions

Employee of the Month (twice) – Lemon Tree Hotels
Manager of the Quarter Nominee – Accor Hotels (Q3 2012)
ISO Certification of CMU under his leadership
Unnati Award – Mahindra Quality Institute for best quality initiatives
HOD of the Year – 2024 – Club Mahindra Udaipur
Featured in Shop & Travels, Deccan Herald, Gulf News (UAE), and The National (UAE)

JOURNEY

Chef Girish Kandpal’s culinary journey is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and excellence. Beginning his career as a commis chef, he steadily rose through the ranks, gaining hands-on experience in Indian, Western, and Oriental cuisines. With a Diploma in Hospitality Management and an MBA in Operations, Chef Girish combined technical skill with strategic leadership. His international stint in the UAE enriched his expertise in modern Indian and vegetarian Mumbai cuisine, while his roles at Lemon Tree Hotels and Mahindra Holidays sharpened his operational acumen. Notably, he led ISO 22000:2018 certification at Club Mahindra Udaipur and was honoured with the Unnati Award and HOD of the Year title. Now the Executive Chef at Saura Hotel Agra, he oversees premium F&B operations with a guest satisfaction rating of 4.7/5. From local roots in Uttarakhand to national recognition, Chef Girish’s journey is one of relentless growth and commitment to culinary innovation.