Chef Nelson Alphonse Fernandes has been recently appointed as the Executive Pastry Chef at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel & Lakeside Chalet – Mumbai Marriott Executive Apartments commencing January 2020.
Armed with an extensive experience spanning over 3 decades in key properties across the world including Paris, the Middle East and key metro cities in India, Chef Nelson is an amalgam of award winning expertise, a guest-first approach and genuine hospitality.
Over the years Chef Nelson has headed bakery teams in luxury hotel chains, standalone landmark properties and pastry shops in famous malls. Some of his key appointments in hotels include long stints at the Intercontinental in Dubai, the Sheraton in Kuwait, The Aman Lodhi in Delhi, JW Marriott Aerocity in Delhi, Park Hyatt in Goa, Le Royal Meridien in Mumbai and The Claridges in Delhi. Chef Nelson was also assigned to work in Almana Group’s leading bakery brand ‘Lazord’ in Saudi Arabia where he trained under Chef Cyril French and worked for five years. He has had the honor of being trained by Chef Bonnet Meilleur Ouvrier de France,for 6 months at Le Meridien Paris.
Chef Nelson’s illustrious career has witnessed several wins, accolades and industry recognition, chief among them being the silver medal won at the Great Indian Culinary Challenge in 2006. He has won the Best head of Department Award in years 2013 & 2014, attended an internal auditor program by Bureau Veritas for ISO 22000 in 2005 and a Chefs Masterclass by chefs Anil Rohira and Vikas Bagul.
At Renaissance Mumbai, Chef Nelson is accountable for the overall success of the daily pastry operations which he undertakes with his customary élan, professionalism, innovation, eye for detail and leadership abilities. Chef Nelson will also be taking up the task of training his team to upscale their existing skills for handling luxury MICE events and destination weddings.
Chef Nelson has regularly exhibited his ability to adapt and continue to create with relevance. He is originally from Mumbai and can speak five languages – Arabic, Konkani, Marathi, English and Hindi. He enjoys cricket and swimming in his spare time as much as listening to music.
