Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad
Du Jour, a bakery brand founded by Mohammed Ali, began as a cloud kitchen in December 2024, has recently opened its first physical outlet in Hyderabad. The thoughtfully designed 15-seater space is located in Jubilee Hills. Du Jour’s menu features French-style pastries, savoury bakes, grilled cheese sandwiches and a selection of beverages. The brand’s signature Crobun, which combines the laminated layers of a croissant with the shape of a bun, is among its key offerings. The concept emerged from Ali’s memories of London mornings spent over croissants and coffee. Interested in the evolving formats of filled croissants, Ali collaborated with…
For Bengalis, Durga Puja is a celebration of food and festivity, with traditional delicacies holding a place of pride alongside the rituals and pandal-hopping. From Luchi and Chholar Dal to Kosha Mangsho, Basanti Polao and Daab Chingri, food is central to the celebrations. Bringing this festive tradition to Hyderabad, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre is hosting Bhuri Bhoj & Bengal: A Pujo Celebration of Heritage & Flavour, a culinary festival led by Home Chef Ushri. Running until October 22, the festival presents Bengali cuisine through two dining formats: a dinner buffet at Food Exchange and curated thalis at Permit to Grill,…
From a corporate career at D. E. Shaw to founding SAINTS Chocolate, a craft chocolate atelier in Hyderabad, Ramanjane Dronamraju has turned her passion for chocolate into an entrepreneurial pursuit centred on single-origin cacao, in-house production and immersive tasting experiences. Asmita Mukherjee meets Ramanjane to explore the passion, philosophy and vision shaping her journey with SAINTS Chocolate. After more than eight years in operations management and human resources at D. E. Shaw, Ramanjane Dronamraju chose to pursue her longstanding passion for chocolate by launching SAINTS Chocolate in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, in April 2026. Co-founded with her husband, Prabhu, the six-month-old venture focuses on craft chocolate,…
As hotel demand becomes increasingly dynamic, technology is helping revenue teams move beyond seasonal pricing and historical data to make faster, more informed decisions on rates, inventory and profitability Hotel room pricing in India is changing. The traditional practice of setting rates around peak, shoulder and off peak seasons is increasingly giving way to a more dynamic approach, as domestic travel becomes more spontaneous, booking windows become shorter and demand can shift quickly around long weekends, events and holidays. For hotels, the challenge is no longer simply to decide what rate to sell a room at, but to understand how…
Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli is stepping up its focus on F&B, weddings, social events and leisure business as it undergoes a phased renovation and expands its banquet facilities. Ruban Das, General Manager, Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli, who took charge of the property earlier this year, is looking to strengthen the hotel’s positioning in Hyderabad’s competitive Gachibowli market by leveraging its open spaces, distinctive dining concepts and wellness offering. In a conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, he outlines his strategy for the property and the opportunities he sees in Hyderabad. You have spent over two decades in the hospitality industry. Could you tell us…
India’s leisure travel market is moving beyond destination-led holidays towards experience-driven stays, opening a new growth avenue for agro-hospitality, plantation residences and farm-based resorts. “The Indian leisure traveller has shifted from destination-led travel to experience-led travel. A decade ago, the question was where to go. Today it is what one will feel, taste and take back,” said Ashwin Kumar, Founder & Managing Director, Vibez Estates. The trend is particularly relevant for plantation destinations such as Sakleshpur, Chikmagalur and Coorg, which are within comfortable driving distance of Bengaluru. The demand is there, but the organised supply is still developing. While these…
India’s spiritual and wellness tourism market presents a significant opportunity for the hospitality sector, with industry leaders calling for destination-specific hotels, stronger storytelling, local cuisine, technology-enabled crowd management and immersive experiences to encourage longer stays. Industry leaders shared their views at the FHRAI 56th Annual Convention, held at Taj Ganges, Varanasi, on August 22. The session, titled The Future of Spiritual & Wellness Tourism in India: Tradition, Transformation and Technology, was moderated by Narayani Ganesh, Former Editor, Speaking Tree. The panel comprised Vikram Cotah, Chief Executive Officer, GRT Hotels & Resorts; Samir MC, Chief Executive Officer, Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt.…
India’s hotel companies are recalibrating their growth strategies around brand expansion, conversions, localisation and technology, while retaining human service as the core of hospitality, senior industry leaders said at Business Session II of the 56th FHRAI Annual Convention at Taj Ganges, Varanasi, on August 22.The session was moderated by Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director & COO – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said the company has moved beyond its timeshare legacy towards a broader leisure and hospitality play. “We moved from a timeshare legacy brand into predominant leisure or hospitality space,” he said,…
India’s destination wedding market is shifting from the traditional “big fat Indian wedding” towards smaller, experience-led celebrations rooted in culture, spirituality and place, industry leaders said at the FHRAI 56th Annual Convention at Taj Ganges, Varanasi, on August 22. Speaking at the session “Sacred Vows, Spectacular Venues: The Future of Destination Weddings in India,” curated by Shriji Huzur Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur, and moderated by Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Mumbai and Roswyn, A Morgans Originals Hotel, panellists said couples are increasingly prioritising meaningful experiences over guest numbers. Jueta Hemdev, Founder, Yolo Events, said a wedding with…
From being a relatively small contributor to the company’s global business a decade ago, India has emerged as one of TOTO’s top six markets worldwide. With its manufacturing facility in Halol, Gujarat, serving both domestic and international demand, the company is now targeting threefold growth by 2030. In an exclusive interaction with Asmita Mukherjee, Shiozawa Kazuyuki, Managing Director of Japanese sanitary-ware major TOTO India discusses how India is becoming increasingly important to the company’s global growth ambitions. How strategic is India to TOTO’s global growth plans? India is an increasingly important contributor to our global growth story and a key market…
