Archive: February 29, 2024

Apex Restaurant & Market Solutions Hires Executive Chef

Blake Hammond brings more than 20 years of culinary experience to the corporate food service company.

(St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 29, 2024) – Apex Restaurant & Market Solutions recently hired Blake Hammond as Executive Chef for its Elite Cuisine corporate dining and catering services. His responsibilities include overseeing the company’s food preparation processes, as well as creating diverse menus focused on variety and quality. Hammond will manage a kitchen staff who will provide nutritional meals for their customers.

Hammond brings more than 20 years of culinary experience to Apex Restaurant & Market Solutions, the largest independently owned corporate food service company based in Missouri with offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Colorado, and Iowa.

Prior to joining Apex, Hammond was the Director of Operations for MG Foods, which was known as Company Kitchen before being acquired by Compass Group USA. He previously served as the Chef/Director for the company’s commissary in Kansas City. Hammond worked for nearly 15 years in various capacities including as Executive Chef at Rock Island Arsenal, an Army base in Illinois with three different cafes where he helped feed 3,000 customers per day. Earlier in his career, Hammond served as the PGA Tour’s Executive Chef for eight years.

“Blake is a strategic operations innovator who builds effective teams to carry out his culinary vision,” said Apex Restaurant & Market Solutions Founding Partner Jim Schweppe. “We welcome Blake as both a team leader and talented addition to our organization, and we look forward to all he will accomplish in the upcoming years.”

Apex Restaurant and Market Solutions

Apex is a full-service provider that supplies catering, in-office cafes and coffee, and vending services for its corporate clients. Apex has more than 270 micro markets located in office and manufacturing facilities across Missouri, Colorado, and Iowa. These convenient self-checkout markets offer employees a wide selection of healthy food and quality beverage options. Approximately 10% of Apex’s micro markets are hybrid facilities, which feature a chef-prepared hot food component available for purchase. Apex also offers Elite Cuisine, its flagship culinary experience that handles all corporate dining and catering services. For more information about Apex Restaurant & Market Solutions, call (866) 607-4400 and visit www.apexrefresh.com.

Axis Bank Foundation and TRRAIN collaborate to create inclusive work opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

Bangalore, February 24, 2024: Axis Bank Foundation (ABF) and Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India (TRRAIN) announced the launch of the ‘Sustainable Livelihood Programme’ to empower Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), by training them through skill development and providing job avenues in the retail sector. This partnership endeavours to create a more diverse, equal, and inclusive workforce across the retail and allied sectors by fostering dignity and pride among youth with speech and hearing impairments, locomotive disabilities, and low vision.

Building on ABF’s 10 years of successful partnership with Youth for Jobs (Y4J), the Sustainable Livelihood Programme in partnership with TRRAIN will train around 2,400 PwDs across Kerala, Karnataka & Uttar Pradesh over 3 years. The programme will offer comprehensive 45-day residential training courses to equip participants with domain skills, soft skills, and work readiness courses. This project will primarily address the significant unemployment gap in the PwD community, by harnessing their potential and empowering them to secure competitive work opportunities, thus making a meaningful impact in their lives.

Some key outcomes that the project aims to achieve include:

•  Minimum of 70% employment rate post-training.
•  The training curriculum, designed by TRRAIN, will focus on sector-specific skills, soft skills, English language proficiency and AI-based text-to-sign learning content and simulation-based learning to enhance accessibility and comprehension for participants.
•  Upon completion of the training, the participants will receive certifications from TRRAIN, opening doors to employment opportunities in retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics sectors.
•  Post-placement support, including counselling and job retention tracking, will ensure successful integration into the workforce.

While talking about the initiative, Dhruvi Shah, CEO and Executive Trustee, of Axis Bank Foundation says, “Fostering diversity and creating pathways for economic independence are at the core of our partnership with TRRAIN. Our partnership is based on the belief that no one should be left behind. The focus is not only to develop new employable skills for Persons with Disabilities but also to mainstream and formalize their participation in the workforce. Through this partnership, we aim to harness our collective strengths to effectively train and empower these youths by equipping them with the technical skills and confidence needed to seamlessly transition into the workforce with dignity.”

While talking about the initiative, B.S Nagesh, Founder of TRRAIN says, “Over the past 12 years, TRRAIN has been dedicated to skilling and empowering Persons with Disabilities by providing them with sustainable livelihoods. Our primary aim has been to equip them with the necessary skills to enable them to excel in jobs across retail and allied sectors. During this time, we have witnessed the remarkable performance of our beneficiaries, characterised by elevated productivity and unparalleled commitment. However, this achievement is merely a drop in the ocean, especially in a vast country like India where we have the potential to impact millions. Such transformative impact can only be realised through continued contributions. Thus, this collaboration is designed to leverage our combined capabilities in training and empowering Persons with Disabilities. The goal of this collaboration is to provide them with the necessary skills and confidence for a smooth transition into the workforce, promoting inclusivity in the process.”

This partnership between Axis Bank Foundation and TRRAIN represents a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and empowerment by providing skill development opportunities to PwDs. It aspires to drive impactful change and foster a work ecosystem where diversity is celebrated and embraced.

The India story in advancing UN Sustainability Development Goals is better than global average

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri re-affirms dedication to sustainable and collaborative development through the coveted platform

Bengaluru | February 23, 2024

“The India story in advancing UN Sustainability Development Goals is better than the global average. This is because efforts in India are bottom-up, they are driven by people who need the social changes”, said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, while delivering his inaugural address at the 18th National Convention of United Nations Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) held today in New Delhi. With the theme ‘Advancing Sustainable India: Driving Change with Forward Faster 2030’, the convention by the Indian local network of the Global Compact, New York is aimed to catalyze positive transformations towards sustainability.

The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, as the Chief Guest for the convention alongside Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman & CEO, ONGC and President, UN GCNI, and other senior dignitaries.

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri delivered the inaugural address during the session. Arun Kumar Singh emphasized collaborative efforts in his welcome address. Ms. Isabelle Tschan, Resident Representative a.i. of UNDP India, highlighted the role of partnerships in sustainable development in her special address.

ONGC, UN GCNI’s key founding member and India’s largest oil & gas PSU demonstrated its continuous commitment by actively participating in and supporting the convention.

In his inaugural address, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, stated, “The industry leaders are driving the 2030 SGD agenda through impactful CSR initiatives. ONGC’s efforts are appreciated in this direction. ONGC is exemplifying comprehensive operational reform, achieving a remarkable 17% reduction in SCOPE-1 and SCOPE-2 emissions over the last 5 years. This, coupled with 82% of C-SUITE expressing intent to hire green skills, signifies a positive shift. The move towards a Viksit Bharat is committed to global agreements like the Lima Climate Change Conference 2050, the Paris Agreement, and the Pancharmit Scheme, which will guide the journey aligned towards UN SGD Goals. Collaboration, Cooperation, and Collective action are paramount for success. With initiatives like FasterForward 2030, the UNDP serves as a valuable ally. Let’s harness innovation, collaboration, and leadership to create a better world for ourselves and future generations.”

“We are delighted to see the tremendous enthusiasm and engagement at this year’s 18th National Convention, which underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing sustainability in India. In pursuit of a sustainable and prosperous India, let us heed the call for collaborative action, championed by the late Mr. Subir Raha’s enduring legacy. As we gather under the visionary leadership of Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and the guidance of UN GCNI, let our commitment to sustainability be a beacon for impactful change. Through dialogue, dedication, and tangible actions, we embark on a journey towards a responsible and inclusive corporate landscape, shaping a future that aligns with global goals and our collective vision for a sustainable tomorrow,” said Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman & CEO, ONGC and President, UN GCNI.

The convention provided a platform for meaningful discussions, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities, fostering partnerships and collaborations essential for driving sustainable change in India. Key topics addressed included climate action, responsible water resilience, sustainable finance and investment, economic empowerment, and innovation for sustainable development.

SATTE 2024 second day witnessed record participation from buyers and exhibitors

Mumbai / Greater Noida, 24 February 2024: South Asia’s leading travel show SATTE 2024, organized by Informa Markets in India (IMI), commenced at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. The three-day event is being held from 22nd to 24th February 2024 and will spotlight the theme of ‘Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism’, marking its 31st edition as a pivotal milestone in the global tourism industry.

On the second day, SATTE Awards was organised which is a unique initiative intended to recognize industry stakeholders from across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry along with National and State Tourism Boards (NTOs and STOs).

From the top players to fledgling start-ups, industry professionals strive to provide breathtaking innovative products & solutions. There is a need to recognise & reward such initiatives, that will further drive the evolution of the market, contributing to the vision of Incredible India. Part of the awards comprised ‘Shakti – Honouring Women Achievers,’ underscoring SATTE’s commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of women entrepreneurs, business owners, and corporate professionals in the field.

With all its engagements, SATTE provides the ultimate platform to propel the industry.

Speaking on the opportunities of the sector, Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets – India stated, “In the light of India’s remarkable GDP growth of 7.9%, and a record per capita income of ₹2.12 lakh in FY24, the nation is poised for massive tourism expansion. With inbound tourist numbers reaching 9 million last year and an ambitious target of 12 million this year, coupled with the lucrative spiritual tourism that is expected to grow annually at over 16 percent in the next few years, the tourism sector is forecasted to yield a revenue of 59 billion by 2028, creating 140 million temporary and permanent jobs by 2030.”

He further added in the interim budget of 2024, the government has initiated the expansion of the Vande Bharat fleet of trains to help reduce travel time, enhance the passenger experience, and accelerate tourism growth. It is also working towards developing roads for better transportation.

“By 2028, international tourist arrivals are expected to reach 30.5 billion and generate revenue of over US$ 59 billion. However, domestic tourists are expected to drive the growth, post-pandemic. As per the Ministry of Tourism, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in October 2023 were 8,11,411,” he stated.

Mr. Yogesh Mudras concluded by stating, “FTAs during the period January-October 2023 were 72,43,680 as compared to 46,55,160 in January-October 2022. Over 100 countries have adopted sustainable tourism policies, showcasing a growing global commitment. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sets industry standards, certifying 2,500 destinations and businesses.”

On the founding day in Saudi Arabia today, Mr. Alhasan Ali Aldabbagh, President – of Asia Pacific, Saudi Tourism Authority, extended his regards addressed the gathering, and conveyed his enthusiasm for the inaugural day of SATTE, noting its particular significance as Saudi Arabia commemorates its Founding Day today. He highlighted the crucial role of SATTE 2024 in bolstering ties with the Indian tourism market. He emphasized, “Aligned with our 2030 vision, we aim to attract over 7.5 million Indian travelers to Saudi Arabia, positioning it as our premier source market. To achieve this, we have streamlined various aspects of the journey, including visa applications, permits, hotel accommodations, and flight bookings, for Indian travelers.”

NTPC Group Installed Capacity touches 73958 MW

Bengaluru, 24 February 2024: The first solar project of NTPC REL at Chhattargarh in Rajasthan declared commercial operation of 70 MW on 21st February 2024. With this, NTPC Group’s installed capacity has reached 73958 MW.

At present, NTPC-REL has 17 projects under execution, with a total capacity exceeding 6000 MW. With this, the total RE operational capacity of NTPC Group now stands at 3448 MW.

Shri Mohit Bhargava, CEO (NGEL), and other officials were present on this occasion.

The slated full capacity of the Chhattisgarh Solar project is 150 MW and is expected to be commissioned by March 2024. The capacity was won under SECI-Tranche: III and the beneficiary of this project is Rajasthan.

This project is designed to generate 370 million units of energy per year, sufficient for 60,000 households, while also saving 3 lakh tons of CO2 emissions every year and conserving 1000 MMTPA of water. This is adequate for over 5000 households in a year.