Author: HBI Staff | New Delhi

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…

Backpacker hostel brand Hosteller is entering its most ambitious growth phase yet, scaling rapidly across India on the back of fresh capital, a sharply differentiated social-led hospitality model, and clear international ambitions. Founder and CEO Pranav Dangi outlines how the company plans to multiply its footprint, deepen its experiential promise, and raise its next round of funding. Hosteller, the backpacker hostel brand founded in 2015, has seen 2025 emerge as a defining year in its growth journey, driven largely by a Series A funding round raised towards the end of 2024 and a sharp post-Covid rebound in travel. “What happened…

Pride Hotels & Resorts, which has recently filed its DRHP for a public issue, plans to deploy a large part of the funds raised towards the renovation of its existing company-owned assets to drive occupancies and average room rates (ARRs) at some of its older properties. According to Satyen Jain, CEO of the hotel company, the plan is to infuse around Rs 160 crore into renovations over the next two to three years across existing owned assets of the group. As per the DRHP, the company proposes to raise Rs 260 crore through the public issue, comprising a mix of…

India’s hospitality sector is heading into a multi-year expansion cycle, and Hindware Limited expects a sharp rise in demand for premium, smart and conservation-driven bath products as hotel companies accelerate both new builds and long-deferred renovations. Nirupam Sahay, CEO – Bath & Tiles, underlined that hotel chains are increasingly prioritising sustainability and intelligent water-saving fixtures, making the category a key growth driver for the company. After a few quarters of tapered growth for the building material market in the country, industry leaders feel that the market is poised for a promising uptick in the coming quarters of the current fiscal…

In an exclusive interaction with HospitalityBiz India, Chefpreneur, Om Nayak, co-founder of popular Bomaby street food brand, Bombay Meri Jaan, and founder of Pasta Bowl Company, talks about his aggressive expansion plans for both the brands, and  Bombay Meri Jaan in particular. In a conversation with HospitalityBiz India, Chef Om Nayak said that Bombay Meri Jaan, which currently operates six cloud kitchens across Delhi NCR, is ready to shift gears. “We are getting into physical stores. A lot of marketing, a lot of tech is happening in that,” he said, emphasising that the brand has been built on rigorous processes.…