Chetan Doonga has been appointed General Manager for two hospitality venues on Thistle Street, Grape & Grain and Mediterranean. The role will see Mr Doonga oversee operations across both establishments, which are owned by Aberdeen businesswoman Jeanette Forbes.
Mr Doonga brings a background in the city’s hospitality sector, having recently spent two years as Food & Beverage Manager at The Chester Hotel, a four-star establishment located on Queen’s Road. Before this, he was with The Marcliffe at Pitfodels for more than 15 years, where he commenced his career in hospitality in 2009 as a banqueting waiter. During his tenure at The Marcliffe, which is known as Aberdeen’s only five-star hotel, Mr Doonga advanced to training manager before serving for a decade as maître d’ under the late Stewart Spence. Mr Spence, a prominent Aberdeen hotelier, had a career in the industry spanning over 55 years. Mr Doonga holds an MSc in International Tourism Management from Robert Gordon University (RGU), a postgraduate qualification that focuses on strategic management, digital skills, and sustainable tourism within the global hospitality sector.
The venues are under the proprietorship of Jeanette Forbes, who is also the Chief Executive and founder of PCL Group, an IT and cyber security services provider. Ms Forbes, who was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for her contributions to business, technology, and charity, diversified into hospitality with the opening of Grape & Grain in 2017. Mediterranean, her latest restaurant, commenced operations in January 2025. Both establishments are situated on Thistle Street, an area recognised as a destination for independent hospitality businesses in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen hospitality market has seen diversification in recent years, moving beyond its traditional reliance on the oil and gas industry to cater to a broader visitor base, including students and tourists, with a growing focus on boutique and personalised experiences.
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Ms Forbes commented on the appointment, stating: “We are very pleased to have someone with Chetan’s background and top-level experience join the team at Grape & Grain and Mediterranean.” She further noted the operational relationship between the two venues: “Although each business operates independently of one another, there is great synergy between the two, which is about more than their proximity to one another. Chetan’s role will see him lead on developing the benefits of this synergy as he oversees operations across both venues. There will be a focus on developing team leadership with a commitment to ensuring exceptional guest experiences and the very highest operational standards while driving sustainable growth across both businesses.”
Mr Doonga expressed his enthusiasm for his new position, saying: “I’m delighted to be taking on this role and working alongside Jeanette across both Grape & Grain and Mediterranean. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and passion for hospitality, particularly my interest in wine, to both venues and creating distinctive, memorable experiences for our guests.”
Grape & Grain, established in 2017, focuses on a selection of wines and spirits, and has received local and national recognition for its offerings and style. Mediterranean, which opened in January 2025, offers a menu inspired by dishes from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
