Sandeep Jinarajan

The soon-to-open Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is already elevating its culinary appeal with the appointment of Sandeep Jinarajan as the hotel's director of food and beverage. Located within walking distance to some of the city's biggest attractions including the Royal Palace and the Mekong River, the 247-room hotel is scheduled to open in the Cambodian capital on Jan. 6, 2021.

With more than 20 years of food and beverage operation experience, Jinarajan will be fully in charge of the hotel's five dining outlets and bars, including Market Café Restaurant & Lounge, FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, The Attic, Metropole Underground as well as the Poolside Bar. Additionally, Sandeep will oversee the hotel's in-room dining and banquet service.

Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, Jinarajan worked as the food and beverage director at The St. Regis Astana in Kazakhstan as well as the assistant director of food and beverage at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi for four years.

Originally from Bangalore in India, Jinarajan began his career at Grand Hyatt Dubai in 2003, where he worked as assistant manager (all-day dining and à la carte) during the hotel's pre-opening and post-opening phase. Over the next 12 years, Jinarajan held various managerial roles within the F&B department, before working his way up to food and beverage manager, where he managed the property's 13 award-winning restaurants and bar from 2013 to 2015.