Restaurant India News: Total Environment Hospitality Appoints Jayandran Karunakaran as Corporate Mixologist

Total Environment Hospitality has appointed Jayandran Karunakaran as its Corporate Mixologist. In this role, he will lead beverage strategy and cocktail innovation across the group’s hospitality portfolio, including Windmills Craftworks and Oota, working closely with culinary, operations and brand teams to enhance guest experiences. He will report to Ashish Saxena, Chief Executive Officer, Total Environment Hospitality.

Jay brings over two decades of experience across hotels, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, breweries, luxury lounges and global beverage programs. His career spans The Oberoi, Ista Hotels (now Hyatt), ITC Gardenia, Shangri-La Bengaluru, Ministry of Crab Bangkok, and most recently Jwala & Rakh in Kuala Lumpur, where he served as General Manager and Director of Mixology. He has also led several entrepreneurial and consultancy assignments.

Commenting on the appointment, Ashish Saxena, CEO, Total Environment Hospitality, said, “Jay combines creativity with precision. His deep understanding of flavour, technique, and guest experience will help us redefine beverage programs across our restaurants while staying true to the care and detail that Total Environment stands for.”

Jayandran Karunakaran, Corporate Mixologist, Total Environment Hospitality added, “Mixology is about storytelling through flavours. At Total Environment Hospitality, I look forward to creating beverage experiences that complement our culinary philosophy and resonate with our guests”
Jay’s approach to mixology is reflected in the new Signature Cocktails lineup at Windmills Craftworks.

 His creations like Dr. J’s Prescription, Shine On, Smoke on the Water, The Gift, Here Comes the Sun, and Champagne Supernova draw inspiration from music and culture. Each drink is designed as an experience, whether it’s the fleeting flame over water, the surprise of sipping unseen, or the burst of sparkling wine through a granita base. These creations embody the artistry and narrative that Jay brings to the craft.