Marriott Artisan Award Celebrates Women in Hospitality
Marriott International has launched the Artisan Award, a new recognition platform celebrating women leaders in Food & Beverage and Culinary across Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC).
Introduced in conjunction with International Women’s Day 2026, the initiative highlights the contributions of women who are shaping the future of hospitality through creativity, leadership, and measurable business impact.
The inaugural edition of the Marriott Artisan Award recognises five standout professionals whose achievements span culinary innovation, operational leadership, guest experience excellence, and commercial performance.
Within Marriott’s Asia Pacific excluding China region, women represent around 40% of the company’s F&B and Culinary workforce, underlining the significant role they play in driving growth and innovation across the hospitality sector.
Marriott’s Artisan Award Recognises Culinary and F&B Excellence
The Artisan Award was created as a merit-based recognition platform to spotlight women who are redefining standards across hospitality’s culinary and beverage disciplines.
Nearly 100 nominations were submitted across the Asia Pacific excluding China region. Winners were selected through a comprehensive evaluation process that assessed:
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Commercial performance
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Operational excellence
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Innovation in guest experiences
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Leadership and team engagement
The five inaugural winners were honoured in Bangkok during Marriott’s Women in Leadership event, reflecting the company’s broader focus on fostering diversity and leadership opportunities across its regional workforce.
Women Leaders Driving Hospitality Innovation
According to Petr Raba, the award recognises the vital role women play in shaping the hospitality industry.
He noted that women associates across Marriott’s F&B and culinary teams consistently contribute to innovation, operational performance, and guest satisfaction.
Raba emphasised that the Artisan Award provides a regional platform to recognise those delivering measurable business results while elevating guest experiences in a competitive hospitality environment.
Launching the initiative alongside International Women’s Day also reflects Marriott’s continued focus on inclusion, diversity, and leadership development within the hospitality sector.
Meet the First Marriott Artisan Award Winners
The 2026 Artisan Award winners represent a diverse cross-section of hospitality leadership across Asia Pacific, spanning restaurant operations, culinary management, beverage strategy, and luxury guest experience.
Aaira Monica – Restaurant Manager, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Malaysia
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort restaurant manager Aaira Monica began her hospitality journey in 2014 and has since built an impressive career across multiple Marriott properties, including The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur and Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
She is known for delivering strong revenue performance while championing sustainability-driven initiatives, including zero-proof wellness beverages and the use of home-grown herbs to reduce food waste.
Amrita Biswas – Sous Chef, The Westin Hyderabad Hitec City, India
At The Westin Hyderabad Hitec City, Sous Chef Amrita Biswas brings more than a decade of culinary experience, blending traditional Indian flavours with contemporary Western techniques.
A graduate of Institute of Hotel Management Kolkata, she joined Marriott in 2023 and played a key role in launching the property, widely recognised as Marriott’s first all-women-led hotel in India.
Chef Amrita is known for mentoring young chefs while promoting sustainable and inclusive kitchen practices.
Pakpilai Chianman (Som) – Executive Sous Chef Banquets, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
Chef Som leads banquet operations at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, where she combines traditional Thai culinary expertise with modern banquet production techniques.
Her leadership has contributed to the successful launch of multiple dining outlets while delivering large-scale culinary programs that drive guest engagement and revenue growth.
Quynh Trang Pham Thi – Lounge Manager, Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection
At Vinpearl Landmark 81 Autograph Collection, Trang has transformed The Cloud lounge into a dynamic destination offering daytime coffee experiences and a vibrant evening cocktail program.
She is recognised for introducing sustainable beverage practices, including eco-conscious wine selections and closed-loop coffee initiatives.
Sue Sein Chai – B&F Manager, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
At W Singapore Sentosa Cove, Susan combines data-driven strategy with hands-on leadership to elevate beverage programs and strengthen brand engagement.
Her experience across luxury Marriott properties, including The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and W Kuala Lumpur, has helped her deliver measurable operational and financial performance.
Women in Hospitality Leadership Across Asia Pacific
The launch of the Marriott Artisan Award highlights the growing influence of women leaders in hospitality across the Asia Pacific region.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of diverse leadership, inclusive workplaces, and equal career opportunities.
By spotlighting women who deliver measurable business outcomes while driving creativity and innovation, the award aims to inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals.
With the introduction of the Artisan Award, Marriott International is reinforcing its commitment to recognising and empowering women who are shaping the future of food, beverage, and culinary leadership across the global hospitality industry.
