The Cinnamon Collection announces six promotions

Indian restaurant group the Cinnamon Collection has announced a number of promotions, including former head chef of the Cinnamon Club Rakesh Ravindran Nair moving into the role of group development and training chef.

The promotions come as part of the Cinnamon Collection's plans to open two new Cinnamon Kitchen restaurants before the end of the year. A site in the Westgate Centre, Oxford, will launch in October and followed by an opening at Battersea Power Station in November.

Nair has been with the group since 2002. His new position is intended to ensure the new sites will meet the Cinnamon Club's high standards. He will also be responsible for training staff.

Hari Nagaraj, who joined the Cinnamon Collection 20 years ago, will become the group operations manager, having also previously worked as head chef at the Cinnamon Club.

Former head chef at the original Cinnamon Kitchen in the City Raju Ramachandran will become the group opening chef, focusing on setting up new kitchens, teams and development within the new sites.

Santosh Shah, previously sous chef at the Cinnamon Club will take over as head chef of Cinnamon Kitchen in Devonshire Square.

From the front of house team, Regison Devassy, former general manager at the Cinnamon Club, will take on the role of executive general manager with a focus on developing the front of house teams at new sites.

Group general manager Jean-Luc Giquel, who has been with the Cinnamon Collection since 2006, will lead the hospitality ethic, front of house service and training for the entire group through internal management training programmes.

Executive chef Vivek Singh said: "The Cinnamon Collection is fortunate to have so many team members that have been with us for years and have grown with the group through several positions. Our people have been our biggest asset and it's only through continuous learning and development that it's been possible.

"The career progression of our teams is something we're immensely proud of and it's a commitment we extend to all our people who join us in our next phase of growth."

The Cinnamon Collection includes the Cinnamon Club in Westminster, Cinnamon Kitchen, Cinnamon Soho and Cinnamon Bazaar.

Cinnamon Kitchen to launch first site outside of London >>

Vivek Singh to open Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden >>

More than £10m to be invested for Cinnamon Collection expansion >>

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