“Switzerland holds a special place in my heart. I once drove from Paris to Geneva and then up to Gstaad, just me, the road, and nature unfolding like a film.” Panchali Mahendra stands out as one of the foremost voices in luxury hospitality, recognised by Forbes Middle East as a “Leader Behind Luxury Dining in the Middle East.” As the CEO of Atelier House Hospitality (AHH), she has transformed the company into a boutique powerhouse, creating dining experiences that resonate globally. Under her leadership, 11 Woodfire earned a Michelin star within six months of opening and was ranked #14 on MENA’s 50 Best list in 2024. Her journey began with a gold medal from IHM-Aurangabad and a degree from the University of Huddersfield, UK, providing a strong foundation in hospitality management. Further training at the Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development (OCLD) helped her refine the skills needed to lead a career spanning over two decades, during which she has shaped more than 80 restaurant concepts worldwide. In 2017, Mahendra co-founded Atelier House Hospitality alongside Ahmass Fakahany, CEO of Altamarea Group, establishing a portfolio that balances upscale refinement with approachable luxury. Her vision and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including Restaurateur of the Year (Caterer Middle East, 2023) and a place on the Caterer Middle East Powerful Women List for four consecutive years. She has also been featured in Vogue Arabia and Fortune’s Time UK, sharing her insights on leadership, innovation, and adapting to evolving consumer expectations. Beyond her professional achievements, Mahendra is a champion for women in hospitality. In 2021, she became the first woman in the sector to receive the UAE Golden Visa, a recognition of her industry-wide impact. | 37 “LuxeBook feels like my go-to lens into the world of luxury.” Pushpa Bector has redefined how India shops, dines and experiences leisure. She has steered DLF Retail to become synonymous with holistic, world-class retail destinations such as DLF Mall of India, DLF Emporio, and The Chanakya. A Harvard alumnus, Bector began her career with Oberoi Hotels and Jubilant FoodWorks before joining DLF, where she pioneered experiential retail through innovation, digital adoption, and global best practices. Her leadership—marked by resilience, integrity, and foresight—has consistently driven DLF’s growth, even through crises like the pandemic. For Bector, luxury is “a subtle blend of comfort and refinement,” reflected in her approach to crafting bespoke, memorable experiences. “Bespoke, thoughtful experiences are the luxury trends that will never go out of style.” She believes the glass ceiling in luxury is steadily fading, as leadership and skill increasingly define success. Her personal favourites—gin-based cocktails, which are “subtle, elegant, and enduringly refined,” her mother’s Kanjivaram saree and temple art jewellery, “rich with history and love,” and the timeless allure of Egypt with its “captivating, exotic landscapes”—mirror her appreciation for elegance, heritage, and culture. A weeknight, she says, sees her “finding calm, perhaps with a good book, soft music, and a cup of tea or coffee.” An advocate for women in leadership and recipient of multiple honours, including Woman Icon of the Year and Most Inspiring Business Leader, Pushpa Bector continues to inspire with her belief that true success lies in “leading with integrity, embracing growth, and creating lasting impact.” | 36 Panchali Mahendra CEO, Atelier House Hospitality Pushpa Bector Senior Executive Director and Business Head, DLF Retail
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