Praful Chandawarkar

Praful Chandawarkar is a highly accomplished restauranteur and the founder-director of Malaka Spice, a renowned restaurant in India. In 1997, he left his successful Investment Banking career to pursue his dream of establishing his own restaurant. Together with his late wife Cheeru Chandawarkar, Praful traveled extensively across Southeast Asia, bringing back recipes and creating the Malaka Spice menu that we know and love today.

Praful is widely recognized as a leading figure in the hospitality industry, having made an unparalleled contribution over the past two decades. In 2016, he was honored with the 'Best Restauranteur of the Year' award at the Times Food Awards, a testament to his exceptional leadership and culinary expertise.

In addition to Malaka Spice, Praful also runs Tvum, a new restaurant venture that specializes in serving ancient Indian recipes. Despite his busy schedule, Praful remains committed to providing exceptional dining experiences to his customers and promoting the rich culinary heritage of India.

Shrijit Ravindran

Shrijith Ravindran is the dynamic CEO of Malaka Spice, who has been an integral part of the company for over 17 years. He started as a steward while pursuing his Diploma and has risen through the ranks to become the CEO, playing a pivotal role in shaping the success of Malaka Spice.

Throughout the past two decades, Shrijith has been instrumental in every significant step that the company has taken. He led the expansion of Malaka Spice from a small setup to a prominent restaurant in Koregaon Park, Pune. Additionally, he played a key role in launching the first franchise and expanding the business nationwide.

Shrijith's strategies have helped to improve the company's bottom line significantly, making him an admired figure in the organization. He is also known for his passion for sports, especially football, and his love for travel. In 2001, he was part of the team that won the Limca Book of Awards for baking the biggest pizza in India, showcasing his dedication and enthusiasm in all aspects of his life.

Anuja Bhondwe

Anuja Bhondwe leads the marketing and guest engagement team at Malaka Spice. She is responsible for ensuring that all the marketing activities for the Malaka Spice restaurants are carried out smoothly. Anuja's leadership and the support of her efficient team have contributed greatly to the success of Malaka Spice.

Aside from her professional role, Anuja is a big foodie and loves to travel. She has a particular weakness for desserts, and you might find her indulging in a sweet treat when she's not busy strategizing. Anuja's passion for food and travel inspires her work at Malaka Spice, where she strives to create memorable experiences for guests through innovative marketing campaigns and exceptional service.

Ameeta Menon

Ameeta Menon is a highly experienced industry professional with over 25 years of experience in the hospitality sector. She currently serves as the Director of Human Care, Training, and Process for Chiranjeev Hospitality Group. Ameeta is also a Co-Founder of Chiranjeev Gurukul, a Leadership Development Academy that is based on the principles of Eternal Indian Wisdom. She has also founded Healyam, a Well-being Initiative that operates as a vertical of Chiranjeev Gurukul.

As a Life Transformation Coach and Integrated Holistic Practitioner, Ameeta uses Indian Wisdom in her teaching methodology. She has curated several unique wellness programs for institutions, corporates, and sports academies. Her programs have been well-received and have helped individuals and organizations achieve their wellness goals.

She now is involved wholly with Chiranjeev Gurukul and brings the wisdom of transformational leadership to Malaka Spice and the entire team!

Pradeep Nair

Pradeep Nair is a true gem at Malaka Spice, having been a part of the team for several years. As the F&B controller, he is responsible for overseeing the food and beverage operations and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. His expertise and experience in the industry have made him an invaluable asset to the team.

In addition to his professional skills, Pradeep is also known for his warmth and approachable personality. He has a unique ability to connect with his colleagues on a personal level and is often regarded as an elder brother by many in the organization. His approachability and willingness to listen and guide have made him a trusted confidant for many.

Pradeep's entrepreneurial spirit is evident in the fact that he was the first person to introduce fresh coconuts to the restaurant. He saw the potential of this offering and made it a regular feature on the menu. This initiative not only added a unique touch to the dining experience but also highlighted Malaka Spice's commitment to providing fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Pradeep has also been instrumental in many of Malaka Spice's successful projects, particularly during the restaurant's growth stage. His insight and strategic planning have helped the restaurant navigate through challenges and emerge as a leading brand in the culinary industry.

Chandrakant Phirke

Chandrakant Phirke, the General Manager of Malaka Spice, has been an integral part of the organization for the past 8 years. During his time with us, he has played a significant role in establishing and implementing the processes that make our operations efficient and effective.

Under his leadership, we successfully launched our first franchise outlet, Malaka Spice Baner in Pune, as well as our first restaurants outside of Pune. He was also responsible for introducing a unique cooling system in The Tap Room by Malaka Spice, which has proven to be incredibly effective.

CK's dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, as he has been nominated four times for the prestigious 'Manager of the Year - Malaka Spice Group' award and has won it twice.

His expertise and experience in project management have been invaluable to Malaka Spice's growth and success, and he continues to be an essential member of our team. We are proud to have him as our General Manager and look forward to his continued contributions to the organization.

Dyaneshwar Joshi

Dnyaneshwar Joshi is an essential member of our team at Malaka Spice, serving as our Purchase Manager. With over nine years of experience in the role, he has played a crucial role in implementing effective cost-control measures for the company's new initiatives.

He was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the company for his outstanding contributions. Thanks to his expertise and careful management, we have been able to maintain high quality standards while keeping costs under control. We are grateful to have Dnyaneshwar as part of our team and look forward to his continued success with us.

Rohan Mahabal

Meet Rohan Mahabal, our incredibly talented Executive Chef.

With a wealth of experience from some of the most recognised hospitality brands in India and abroad, his culinary expertise is much required at our restaurants and his ability to experiment and research new recipes helps us to launch our seasonal menus every quarter.

But that's not all - Rohan's passion for creating extends beyond the kitchen. During his free time, he's either busy tending to his garden or channelling his inner artist with a paintbrush in hand. This artistic streak spills over into our food presentation, transforming each dish into a stunning masterpiece that's almost too beautiful to eat.

We're proud to have Rohan in our team, and his dedication and creativity play a vital role in our success here at Malaka Spice.

Ilvika Chandawarkar

Ilvika Chandawarkar is the Research and Business Development Manager at Malaka Spice. She brings with her over four years of experience working with the prestigious Taj group of hotels. During her time there, she served as the restaurant manager at Shamiana, the all-day dining restaurant at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Tower.

In her role as Project Manager, Ilvika is responsible for overseeing the design and construction of new Malaka Spice locations. She works closely with architects, contractors, and vendors to ensure that every detail is executed to perfection.

When she's not busy managing projects, Ilvika indulges in her other passions, including writing, painting, cooking, and reading. She is an avid traveler and loves nothing more than discovering new places, meeting new people, and embarking on exciting adventures. Her passion for creativity, combined with her meticulous attention to detail, make her an invaluable asset to the Malaka Spice team.