Mumbai, Feb 16: The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Balvinder Lubana as Executive Chef, overseeing all culinary operations at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and Lakeside Chalet, Marriott Executive Apartments, Mumbai.
With over 16 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Chef Balvinder brings with him a proven track record of culinary leadership, operational excellence, and people-focused management. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s diverse culinary portfolio, including signature restaurants, banquets, in-room dining, and large-scale events, with a strong emphasis on wellness-driven cuisine, sustainability, and elevated guest experiences, core pillars of the Westin brand philosophy.
Describing himself as passionate, guest-centric, and purpose-driven, Chef Balvinder believes that while exceptional food creates excitement, it is consistency, strong systems, and empowered teams that build long-term guest trust. Guided by the principle that “consistency builds trust,” his approach balances creativity with disciplined execution.
His leadership philosophy “Lead from the front, mentor with intent, and never compromise on quality or values” is deeply rooted in his commitment to developing talent. A strong advocate for mentoring young chefs, Chef Balvinder is dedicated to building confident, high-performing culinary teams where discipline, innovation, and mutual respect thrive.
Prior to joining The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, Chef Balvinder served as Executive Chef at Goa Marriott Resort & Spa, where he led culinary operations for a 190-room flagship resort, multiple food and beverage outlets, destination weddings, banquets, and a successful food truck concept. His career highlights include being a Member of the Marriott APEC Culinary Advisory Board, leading multi-hotel culinary operations, launching Marriott Bonvoy on Wheels to drive incremental revenue, and championing sustainability initiatives through the Marriott Environment & Sustainability Hub (MESH). He has also been consistently recognized for achieving top F&B guest satisfaction scores across South Asia.
Beyond the professional kitchen, Chef Balvinder enjoys exploring regional cuisines, traveling to discover local food cultures, fitness and strength training, long bike rides, and spending quality time with family. He finds balance by reconnecting with food in its simplest form through home-cooked meals, quiet coffees, and visits to local markets.
Goa remains his favorite destination in India, inspiring him with its honest flavors, coastal produce, and soulful approach to food and life. Internationally, the Mediterranean region influences his culinary outlook with its seasonal, ingredient-forward cuisine and deep connection between food, land, and community values that closely align with his own philosophy.
At The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, Chef Balvinder aims to further elevate the hotel’s culinary identity by seamlessly blending wellness, sustainability, and thoughtful menu design with operational discipline and financial stewardship, delivering meaningful and memorable dining experiences while nurturing the next generation of culinary leaders.
