Regency College Leadership Awards 2025–26: Celebrating Hospitality Excellence and Global Vision in Hyderabad

By sparkchronicle.com May 3, 2026 0

Author: Luckybrother

HYDERABAD, May 3, 2026 – The city of pearls witnessed a grand intersection of tradition and modern hospitality as Regency College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology hosted its prestigious Leadership Awards 2025–26. Held on May 1 at the historically scenic Taramati Baradari, the event served as a “Powerhouse” platform to honor industry stalwarts, celebrate alumni success, and inspire the next generation of global hospitality leaders.

With the hospitality sector in India projected to grow at a staggering rate through 2030, the Regency Leadership Awards highlighted the critical need for innovation, emotional intelligence, and sustainable leadership in the service industry.

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A Star-Studded Ceremony: Honors and Dignitaries

The evening was graced by a distinguished lineup of guests from the highest echelons of government and academia. Smt. A. Vani Prasad (IAS), Special Chief Secretary of Tourism, Culture & Heritage for the Government of Telangana, attended as the Chief Guest. In her keynote address, she emphasized that Hyderabad’s tourism growth is intrinsically linked to the quality of human capital produced by institutions like Regency.

The Lifetime Achievement Award: A standout moment of the night was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Chef Sudha Kumar. A legendary figure in the culinary world and former Head of Department at IHM Hyderabad, Chef Kumar was honored for over 20 years of transformative service to culinary education. Her emotional acceptance speech reminded students that “the secret ingredient in hospitality is always humility.”

The Grand Regent Awards: Honoring Industry Titans

The Grand Regent Awards were conferred upon professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing some of the most prestigious hotel brands in the country. This year’s recipients included:

Mr. Shrikant Wakharkar: General Manager & Area VP of Park Hyatt Hyderabad, recognized for his strategic vision in luxury hospitality.
Mr. Vishal Srivastava: General Manager of Taj Vivanta IHCL, honored for excellence in service standards.
Mr. Ekant Sabharwal: General Manager of Hotel Golkonda, recognized for business innovation.
Chef Naveen Nagaraj: Corporate Chef at Tatva, celebrated for his contributions to the evolving culinary landscape of Hyderabad.

These awards underscore Regency College’s strong “Industry-Academic” bridge, ensuring that students learn from the very best in the business.

Student Excellence: The New Icons of Regency

The awards also turned the spotlight on the students who have excelled in both academics and co-curricular activities. The titles of Mr. Regency and Ms. Regency are the most coveted honors for the graduating batch, judged on personality, communication, and professional aptitude.

Mr. Regency 2025–26: Mr. Manish
Ms. Regency 2025–26: Ms. Athiya Khan

In the club category, Cuchillos (The Kitchen Club), led by Prashanth Kadali, took home the top honors for organizing a record number of culinary workshops and “Chef’s Table” events throughout the academic year. The Editorial Club, led by Sai Manish, was named runner-up for their exceptional work on the college’s digital and print communication.

History of Regency College: 30 Years of Excellence

To understand the weight of these awards, one must look at the history of the institution. Established in the early 90s, Regency College of Hotel Management was one of the first private institutions in Hyderabad to offer a specialized curriculum for the hospitality sector.

1. The Foundation: Started with a vision to create “Industry Ready” professionals, the college initially focused on core areas like Food Production and Front Office management. 2. Global Expansion: Over the last three decades, Regency has expanded its footprint, with alumni working in over 40 countries, from the luxury cruise liners of the Caribbean to the Michelin-starred restaurants of Europe. 3. The Heritage Link: By hosting their major events at heritage venues like Taramati Baradari, the college continues to promote the Nizami culture and Deccani hospitality that Hyderabad is world-famous for.

Key Highlights: The Launch of ‘ECHO 2026’

A major highlight of the evening was the official unveiling of the annual college magazine, “ECHO 2026.” The magazine serves as a comprehensive record of the year’s achievements, featuring research papers by faculty, travelogues by students, and interviews with global hospitality icons.

The Principal, Mr. P. Ramesh Kumar Reddy, in his Annual Report, noted that 2026 has been a landmark year for the college, with a 100% placement record and several students securing international internships in Dubai, Singapore, and the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the significance of the Leadership Awards? The awards aim to bridge the gap between students and the industry. By interacting with GMs and Corporate Chefs, students gain a real-world perspective on their future careers.

2. Can external students participate in Regency’s clubs? Most clubs like Cuchillos are internal, but Regency often hosts inter-college culinary competitions and “Mocktail Challenges” open to other hospitality students in Hyderabad.

3. Does Regency College offer international placements? Yes. The college has tie-ups with global recruitment agencies for placements in the Middle East, Europe, and major cruise lines.

4. What is the ‘Star Regent’ Award? This is a specialized category for the alumni of Regency who have achieved significant success within five to ten years of graduating.

Final Thoughts: A Powerhouse Future for Hospitality

The Regency Leadership Awards 2025–26 were not just a celebration of the past but a roadmap for the future. As the guests enjoyed a curated dinner prepared by the students themselves, the atmosphere was one of immense pride. For an institution that started as a small dream in Hyderabad, Regency has truly become a global powerhouse in hospitality education.