Restaurant India News: The Astor Goa Appoints Chef Pradeep Kumar Thakur as Executive Chef

The Astor Goa has appointed Chef Pradeep Kumar Thakur as its Executive Chef, signalling a new phase in the hotel’s culinary direction. With over 20 years of experience across leading hospitality brands, he brings strong expertise in Indian regional cuisines, ingredient-focused cooking, and live-fire techniques.

Chef Thakur has previously worked with well-known groups such as InterContinental, The Lalit Resort Goa, Club Mahindra, Kenilworth Resort & Spa, Lemon Tree Hotels, ibis Hotels, ITC Fortune Goa, and Marriott International. His career progression from commis chef to executive chef reflects his consistent focus on skill, discipline, and innovation. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s culinary operations with an emphasis on ingredient-first cooking, where natural flavours take centre stage. His style combines Mughlai influences with Goan cuisine, using techniques like charcoal grilling, dum cooking, and live-fire preparation.

Commenting on the appointment, Vaibhav Gupta, General Manager at The Astor Goa said, “We are delighted to welcome Chef Thakur to The Astor Goa. His deep-rooted expertise in Indian cuisine, particularly Awadhi traditions, combined with his contemporary approach, aligns seamlessly with our vision of delivering authentic yet elevated dining experiences. His leadership will play a key role in strengthening our culinary identity and enhancing guest experiences across the property.”

Chef Pradeep Kumar Thakur, Executive Chef, The Astor Goa, added, “Goa offers an incredible culinary canvas—rich in culture, produce, and stories. At The Astor Goa, I look forward to crafting menus that celebrate local ingredients and traditional techniques, while introducing a sense of theatre through live-fire cooking and interactive dining. The focus is simple: honest food, layered with flavour, memory, and a strong sense of place.”

At The Astor Goa, the menus will highlight locally sourced, seasonal ingredients such as fresh seafood, kokum, toddy vinegar, and regional spices. In line with Deck 88’s coastal concept, the focus will be on seafood-led dishes, interactive dining formats like chef’s tables and live grills, and a zero-waste approach. The overall aim is to create dishes that reflect local flavours while offering a contemporary dining experience.

With Chef Thakur at the helm, The Astor Goa is set to evolve its gastronomic identity balancing comfort with innovation, and tradition with precision offering guests a dining experience that is both rooted and reimagined.