Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad
India’s food industry is experiencing a culinary revival. Chefs are no longer just cooks but also entrepreneurs, mentors, and influencers who are shaping the country’s food identity. They are driving innovation in fine dining, quick-service restaurants, packaged foods, and even consulting. This often blurs the line between craft and business. Asmita Mukherjee spoke with some of the country’s finest chefs and culinary consultants to uncover the behind-the-scenes story of these change-makers redefining India’s food landscape. From Backstage to Mainstage The modern Indian chef is now visible, no longer hidden behind kitchen doors. As Chef Abhijit Saha, Chef-Owner of LYFE & Rosmarino and…
India’s hospitality industry is changing. It now focuses more on wellness than just luxury or leisure. Hotels and resorts from Ayurvedic retreats in Kerala to forest sanctuaries in Coorg are creating spaces that promote healing. Here, rejuvenation and profit go together. Wellness has moved beyond a niche offering in destination spas to become a key part of hospitality strategy. It affects design, food, partnerships, pricing, and profitability. This shift is supported by global data. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) projects the global wellness tourism market will reach USD 1.3 trillion by 2025, with India among the top five fastest-growing markets.…
In an exclusive conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, Della Group’s Founder and Chairman, Jimmy Mistry shared details about a bold tourism and township project in India. Encompassing 1,400 acres in Andhra Pradesh, this development will house the world’s first Living Exhibition on Hinduism, integrating key sectors such as spirituality, culture, hospitality, medical wellness centres, adventure parks leadership development, and high-end real estate. Mistry calls it “a collective national project” and “a once-in-a-century idea that will put Andhra Pradesh on the global tourism map.” Valued at approximately INR 6,000 crore, the Della Integrated Township which is named as Della Vasudev Kutumbakam International…
Andhra Pradesh’s renewed effort to position itself as a key tourism destination is generating considerable interest. Luxury hospitality group Atmosphere Core has announced one of the state’s biggest investments in premium hotels in recent years. The company plans to launch three major luxury projects in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and Amaravati, with a whopping investment of INR 700 crore. For the Chandrababu Naidu Government, this investment supports its plan to turn AP’s coastal and hill areas into effective tourism clusters backed by private funding. Souvagya Mohapatra, Managing Director for India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka at Atmosphere Core, mentioned that the decision…
As India’s café culture and QSR market grow rapidly, the main challenge for maintaining quality and scalability lies in the disorganised and risky logistics of perishable ingredients. For procurement teams, chefs, and CFOs, this ‘mid-mile’ is the last area where operational excellence can be achieved. One startup is changing how freshness moves from kitchen to counter. Mansi Mahansaria, Co-founder, and Abhisek Kumar, Chief Product Officer of JustDeliveries, are creating India’s first digital system for perishable logistics. This area has long suffered from fragmentation and inefficiency. By combining AI, IoT, and a kitchen-first approach, JustDeliveries allows cafés, QSRs, hotels, and bakeries…
A new era of hospitality-driven urban development is beginning in Dwarka, Delhi. The Omaxe State, a significant 50-acre mixed-use project by Omaxe Ltd., works in partnership with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to focus on world-class hospitality at its core. The project’s standout feature is its groundbreaking collaboration with The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL). Asmita Mukherjee spoke with Mohit Goel, Founder of BeTogether and Managing Director of Omaxe Ltd., to explore the plans behind The Omaxe State and find out how the project aims to transform India’s hospitality and urban environment. At the heart of The Omaxe State’s hospitality…
Standing tall in North Bengaluru, the Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Embassy Manyata Business Park is more than just a hotel; it’s a major player in hospitality, recognised as the largest dual-branded property in India. Managing the hundreds of employees and thousands of rooms catering to a wide mix of corporate, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and leisure guests is a huge task Sujeet Kumar, Cluster General Manager of Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park leads this complex operation. He has developed his skills in various international locations. His leadership style is a mix of experience…
Hyderabad’s taste for high-quality Italian food is strong. Toscano’s arrival in Gachibowli highlights this, as it opens its second outpost next to the popular Salt restaurant near Wipro junction. Entering the restaurant feels like stepping into another world. The shiny glass front leads to a cozy interior, filled with warm lighting that evokes a peaceful Tuscan evening. It offers a refined but friendly atmosphere, building on their Knowledge City debut and providing the consistent quality that has defined the brand across South India. Rustic Charm Meets IT-Corridor Chic The Gachibowli space balances modern style with…
India is raising a glass to a new era of hospitality. The country’s bars are buzzing, menus are getting sharper, and bartenders are no longer just pouring drinks but they’re crafting experiences. From Jaipur to Goa, a quiet revolution is brewing behind the bar, one shaker at a time. Once viewed as a fringe job in hospitality, bartending in India is now commanding serious respect. The rise of premium bars, gourmet spirits, and globally inspired cocktail culture is changing perceptions fast. What was once whisky-soda country has discovered the magic of mezcal, the art of the garnish, and the theatre…
India’s MICE industry is changing how companies meet and motivate, favouring customised experiences and tech-driven interactions over traditional venues. Once a quiet part of hospitality, MICE has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel and business, driven by digital advances and a focus on sustainability. As per a government statement, India’s MICE market was worth USD 49.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to more than double to USD 103.7 billion by 2030. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 13%. Other reports indicate that the sector could reach USD 183 billion by 2033, fueled…
