Professionals Chef Urbano do Rego Taking Goa to the World Best known for: Putting Goan cuisine on the world culinary map and being a true ambassador of Goan food wherever he goes. The story: Chef Urbano do Rego has been associated with the Taj Group of Hotels for nearly 30 years and has had a long illustrious career to his credit. He began his career with Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces in 1970 and along the way, has had the privilege of cooking for numerous celebrities and international dignitaries including Presidents, Royalty and corporate leaders. Chef Rego, as he is popularly known, joined the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai in 1970 and worked under the renowned Chef Miguel Arcanjo Mascarenhas aka ‘Mascy’, Chef Jagat Varma, Chef Aurora and Chef Arwin. From there, he moved to the Fort Aguada Beach Resort in Goa, which was also the first Taj Leisure Hotel.
He played an instrumental role in commissioning the kitchen and restaurant. During this time, he gained a complete insight of Goan-Portuguese cuisine. Following his stint in Goa, he moved to Oman where he served at the Al-Gabra Guest House catering to the Royal families and their dignitaries. He also looked after the guest house of foreign ministers at Florida Orlando for Soyetine. In 1985, he moved back to Goa and has since then, worked as Executive Chef at Fort Aguada Beach Resort. He was also one of the main Chefs who served heads of Commonwealth Nations during their meet in Goa. Over the course of his illustrious career, Chef Rego has served the likes of George Bush, Henry Kissinger, Gerald Ford and others. He has also been featured in publications like Upper Crust India, High Life, the in-flight magazine of British Airways and Times of India
Sandip Bhandare The numbers man Best known for: 30 years of dedicated practice as a Chartered Accountant and for speaking his mind on fiscal matters. The story: Sandip Bhandare is a rank holder of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He has been practicing as a Chartered Accountant since 1984 with his firm, S P Bhandare and Associates. Apart from his flourishing practice, Bhandare is the Senior Vice President of Goa Chambers of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), one of the oldest chambers in India and also heads the Taxation Committee of GCCI. He was the Chairman of Goa Branch of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 2006. A prolific writer on his area of expertise – finance, Bhandare has authorized numerous books on the topic including a book on Goa Vat Act 2005 and coauthored the book on Guide to Audit under Goa Vat Act 2005 published by the Institute of 94 Business Goa
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Chartered Accountants of India. Also to his credit is a ready reckoner for Goa Value Added Tax. Bhandare was the Chairman of the Task Force on GST formed to study the impact of GST on Goa. He is also a Director of EDC Limited. Bhandare has lectured at Dempo College of Commerce & Economics and is presently a member of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) formed by the College. He is also a member of Goa Management Association. On the social front, Bhandare is actively associated with the International Lions Organisation and has received several awards for his roles in various capacities including Region Chairman. He has also given lectures and talks to Chartered Accountants, Chambers of Commerce and industry bodies, Lions Club, Rotary Club and at various colleges across Goa. He has also been a panel member for discussion on taxation issues for Doordarshan and All India Radio