Author: HBI Staff | New Delhi

India’s participation at Gulfood 2027 received a significant boost with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and InD Events Dubai at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Commerce Secretary, Rajesh Agrawal. India will return as the Official Partner Country for Gulfood 2027, marking the second consecutive year of the partnership and building on the visibility and business momentum generated through India’s participation at Gulfood 2026. On signing the MoU, Agrawal said that India’s continued status as the Official Partner Country at Gulfood reflects the growing…

KB Kachru, Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group and President of the Hotel Association of India (HAI) has said that while the hospitality jobs are known to be “highly demanding” with less work-life balance, it creates more space for better career growth and opportunities for people who are passionate and committed. He said that it is always character, attitude and consistency that make good hospitality leaders. Kachru was addressing the 41st Convocation of International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA) in Delhi. Sharing his own long professional journey as a hotelier, Kachru said that what is most important in the…

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has informed that the amended Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2026 would come into effect from January 1, 2027. The government had amended Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 through the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, with the objective of strengthening consumer protection while facilitating a transparent and balanced regulatory framework for the e-commerce sector. The amended Rules seek to address emerging consumer concerns in the digital marketplace while taking into account the need for Ease of Doing Business and a balanced approach that protects consumer interests without imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens on…

In a major embarrassment to luxury hotels in the national capital, serious food safety and hygiene related lapses have been reported in the   inspections conducted by the country’s food safety regulator, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at Aerocity Hospitality District. The two premium hotels which have come under the scanner included Andaz Delhi, a unit of Juniper Hotels, and JW Marriott Aerocity New Delhi, owned by Aria Hotels. In an official release, FSSAI has said that a team of food inspectors have inspected these hotels and found “serious lapses of food safety and hygiene” by these…

As consumer preferences rapidly move from eating more to eating better, young chefs stand at the threshold of a major entrepreneurial opportunity, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said at the grand finale of the National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) in the capital. Addressing finalists at the competition organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) with support from the Indian Federation of Chefs Associations (IFCA), the minister underlined that the global food ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental shift—from food measured by volume and quantity to food evaluated by nutrition, quality and purpose. Citing rapid urbanisation,…

As India and European Union is on the verge of concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, the organisers of the second annual VinItaly roadshow expressed hopes of a big breakthrough for wine imports to India which amply reflected in the participation of vineyards in the two-city show this year. The Italian wine industry is looking at India not merely as a market, but as a long-term cultural and strategic partner, with the proposed EU–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) expected to significantly alter the landscape for wine imports. With the heightened prospects of wine being included in the FTA list for…

India’s hospitality industry witnessed a year of renewed optimism and sustained momentum in 2025, driven by strong demand across spiritual, cultural, experiential and event-led travel segments, according to K.B. Kachru, President of the Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman–South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. “2025 has been a year of renewed optimism for India’s hospitality sector, marked by sustained momentum and strong demand indicators,” Kachru said, noting that spiritual tourism emerged as one of the most significant growth drivers for hotels during the year. He pointed out that destinations such as Ayodhya, Jammu, Varanasi, Puri, Amritsar and Tirupati witnessed exceptional…

First batch of 20 foreign chefs to undergo Indian cuisine familiarisation and training in Delhi In a significant step towards popularising Indian cuisine globally and creating overseas markets for value-added Indian food products, the Indian Federation of Chefs Associations (IFCA) and the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) have jointly launched the International Indian Culinary Leadership Programme. The initiative aims to build a pool of international culinary ambassadors who will promote Indian food in global markets. As part of the programme, the first batch of 20 selected international chefs will undergo a four-day familiarisation and training programme in Indian cuisine,…

Elior Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashwani Vohra as Managing Director of Elior India. With more than 25 years of experience in food services, retail, hospitality, and large-scale operations management, Ashwani will be responsible for driving Elior’s growth strategy in India and strengthening operational excellence across the business. A recognised business leader in the Indian market, Ashwani Vohra has previously held senior leadership positions across several organisations, driving strong year-on-year profitable growth. He is known for his ability to transform and industrialise operations, build client- and consumer-centric teams, and drive transformative growth through innovative and bespoke offerings,…

After the INR 300-crore acquisition of Mysuru-based Cheers Breweries in September this year, Indore-based Mount Everest Brewery Ltd (MEBL) is betting big on the South India market. Vedant Kedia, CEO of MEBL, speaks about the company’s brand strategies for the Indian market in general and South India in particular. MEBL recently launched its STOK portfolio of beers in Karnataka with much fanfare, making the state the first in India to have access to the company’s entire product portfolio. The acquisition of Mysuru-based Cheers Breweries in September 2025 has given MEBL a head start in penetrating the South India market with…