Kuldeep Kumar: Shaping F&B Operations Through Pre-Opening Mastery – HCP F&B Leader Award 2025 Nominee
Kuldeep Kumar, Asst. F&B Manager at The Fern Vadodara, is a nominee for the HCP F&B Leader Award 2025. Explore his journey through pre-opening leadership.

Meet Kuldeep Kumar – Assistant F&B Manager at Bhanu The Fern Forest Resort & Spa, Vadodara
Kuldeep Kumar, currently serving as the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Bhanu The Fern Forest Resort & Spa, Vadodara, is a rising force in the Indian hospitality industry. With nearly a decade of dynamic experience—especially in pre-opening hotel operations—his nomination for the People’s Choice – HCP F&B Leader Award 2025 highlights his ability to build F&B excellence from the ground up.
Known for his keen strategic mindset and operational precision, Kuldeep has led F&B departments across Gujarat and Karnataka with brands like Sayaji Hotels and Radisson Blu, playing a pivotal role in both restaurant and banquet success. Whether it’s designing menus, building high-performing teams, or driving guest engagement through city-centric food festivals, Kuldeep consistently transforms goals into results.
At Bhanu The Fern, his responsibilities span across departmental budgeting, guest satisfaction, recruitment, event execution, inventory control, and banquet sales. He is appreciated for delivering strong revenue performance while maintaining quality and consistency in service delivery.
Career Highlights:
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Successfully handled pre-openings at Sayaji Rajkot, Sayaji Jamnagar, and The Fern, Vadodara
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Managed 165+ cover outlets and in-room dining with a 16-member team at Radisson Blu Plaza, Mysore
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Known for organizing monthly food promotions and banquets customized for city clientele
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Built marketing plans and SOPs for operational excellence
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Drove inventory optimization and minimized operational costs across multiple properties
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Demonstrated hands-on leadership in training, guest handling, and event planning
Kuldeep is praised for his leadership, adaptability, and people skills, able to connect with both team members and guests effortlessly. Fluent in Hindi, English, and Bengali, and hailing from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, he’s a grounded and motivated leader with a strong academic foundation in hotel management from Himalayan University.
Having worked his way up from a Guest Service Associate to a Pre-Opening Executive and now an Assistant Manager, Kuldeep represents the next generation of hospitality professionals: focused, flexible, and future-ready.