Tejaswini Paranjape 
Global food trade fairs, Anuga Select India and Anuga FoodTec India 2024, organized by Koelnmesse, have made a dominant debut in India, setting new benchmarks for excellence and innovation in the food and beverage industry. The inaugural day of these landmark exhibitions witnessed a remarkable gathering of industry leaders, pioneers and decision-makers, who engaged with a curated agenda designed to propel transformative growth and advancements. A highlight of the day was the unveiling of the Innovative TrendZone, featuring three cutting-edge brands – The Misfits, Joyspoon, and Krunchillo – handpicked from 60 nominations, showcasing the future of the industry.
The inaugural day of Anuga Select and Anuga FoodTec 2024 featured a series of comprehensive sessions. Groundbreaking business technologies and strategies were unveiled, poised to transform the food and beverage industry and drive growth for start-ups and MSMEs. Attendees gained valuable insights into tailored financial solutions for MSMEs, as well as expert advice on navigating global regulations and standards to achieve export
success. The agenda also delved into product innovation, revealing secrets to creating exceptional products that meet consumer expectations.
The exhibitions showcased a diverse range of brands and country pavilions, including Chitale Foods, MDH Masala, Catch Masale, Bonanza, Moisoi, D’lecta, and Bikaner Polymers, each making a distinctive mark on the industry. International pavilions from countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Italy added to the global flavor, while new product launches like White Coffee by Swadgram and Indian Soul showcased the exhibit’s commitment to offering unique and high-quality options for diverse palates. The key panel speakers present at the discussions on Day 1 were, Prashant Waghmare, DGM, APEDA; Nilesh Amritkar, National President, AFSTI Mysore; S. G Dwivedi, Joint Director (Tech), Export Inspection Council; Gnayak Varia, Managing Director, Flavorama; S.G. Dwivedi, Joint Director (Tech), Export Inspection Council Mumbai; Subha Nishtala, Vice-President, AFTSI, Mysuru; Jyothi Gokhale, Hon. Secretary, AFTSI Mumbai; Vivek Kookkal, Head, Dairy & Beverages, ITC Ltd; Babu Rao Guduri, Joint Director, Indian Institute of Packaging; Vikas Gupta, Global Head, R&D, TATA Consumer Products; Saibal Chandra Banerjee, Sr. Vice President, Wellness Forever and many more esteemed guests.
There were also showcases and panel discussions in the Culinary Corner by renowned chefs such as, Chef Manjit Gill, Chef Vicky Ratnani, Chef Rakhee Vaswani, Chef Mohan Krishnan, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, President of Young Chefs Association of India, Chef Jerson MontereyJack, Director of Culinary Operations, Sodexo India. They shared exclusive insights about technology and regional cuisines and about the challenge of merging tech.
When asked what inspired the theme of Anuga Select and Anuga Tech 2024, as ‘Next Era of Innovation’, Milind Dixit, Managing Director, Koelnmesse, said that variety of innovativebrands have come under a common roof and may brands have their own uniqueness and specialities. They have a huge customer base in India with growing awareness in food technology and manufacturing sector. Now the industry has the quality to match the
international standards. These kind of shows provide a platform for the brands to introduce their products in the market.
The second day of Anuga Select India and Anuga FoodTec India 2024 saw a series of thought-provoking sessions like 1) Future of Indian Retail, where technology is transforming the market, 2)The Evolving Digital Landscape, which has democratized the F&B industry through social media, Trailblazing Women Reshaping the F&B Industry, who are driving innovation and inclusivity, 3)Supply Chain Dynamics, which highlighted challenges and opportunities,
4)Groundbreaking Innovations in Food Processing, showcasing revolutionary advancements, and Hospitality Hope 2.0, where Rashmi Uday Singh unveiled a new charity initiative.
The key panel speakers present at the discussions on Day 2 were, Umesh Madhyan, Vice President, Logistics, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd ; Abhishek Aditya, Supply Chain Director, McCain Foods; S. Gautam, Head Food Technology Division, BARC Mumbai; Guruprasad Bangle, CTO, SolutionBuggy; Pritee Chaudhary, Regional Director, FSSAI, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Esteban Valenzuela, Chilean Minister for Agriculture; Jacqui
Price, General Manager Marketing, Australian Macadamia Society; Damodar Mall, CEO, Reliance Retails; Pearl Mistry, Director, Della Group; Rashmi Uday Singh, Food author, Columnist & Founder of Hospitality Hope; Kunal Vijayakar, Food Writer, Youtube & TV Personality; Gauri Devidayal, Co-Founder – Food Matters Group and many more esteemed guests.
There were also showcases and panel discussions in the Culinary Corner by renowned chefs such as, Chef Saurabh Sharma, Author, TV Show Host, Researcher, Food Historian & Culinary Mentor, Chef Vinod Bhati, Board of Advisors IFCA, Chef Suvir Saran, Michellen Star Chef – Author, Educator, Columnist, Chef Gautam Chaudhary, Chef Rakhee Vaswani, Chef Parth Bajaj.
When asked how the event organising companies gauge the success of such an expansive events, Dixit outlined on the methods they use to gauge the success of the event. He said, “The success of Anuga Select is comprehensively evaluated through a combination of metrics. We conduct surveys among visitors and exhibitors to gauge their experience, satisfaction, and perceived value. Post-event feedback is also crucial, allowing us to identify areas for improvement and optimize future editions. Furthermore, we measure the strength of connections established during the event, as fostering meaningful relationships between industry professionals is a primary objective. Additionally, we track the quality of visitors, exhibitor satisfaction, business generated, and feedback from attendees to ensure a holistic understanding of the event’s impact. By considering these factors, we can refine our strategy to deliver an even more effective and productive experience for our stakeholders.”
The event brought together industry experts, exhibitors, and visitors from around the world to showcase the latest innovations and trends in the food and beverage sector. Hospitality Biz took the opportunity to talk to a few exhibitors and visitors to understand theirperception in attending this event. Nipun Gupta, DGM-Sales (F&B/FMCG Vertical), Mitsubishi Electric said that the consumer response was very good. “On the first day, it was bit sluggish, then it picked up very well.” Sahib Dhiman, Director, Latini said, “We had a good response on the first two days. We participate in this exhibition every year.” Also,a few visitors responded positively. Kishor Mehta, Advocate High Court, said that these kind of event are very crucial in developing businesses in the country. I make it sure to attend them all. Pragnesh Thakkar from Vishal Shipping Agencies Pvt Ltd was looking opportunities to collaborate and take their business to a higher level. The third day of Anuga Select India and Anuga FoodTec India 2024 featured enlightening conversations, solidifying the Exhibition’s reputation for industry innovation, with sessions including 1)Starting Your Own Food Start-up, which guided aspiring entrepreneurs on entering the F&B sector, 2)NABL Accreditation and Its Benefits, which highlighted the importance of accreditation for credibility and compliance, and 3)Culinary Corner, which showcased innovative cooking approaches through themes like ‘Forest Feast Culinary Creations with Fungi’ and ‘Time-Travelled Indian Food’, celebrating rich culinary heritage.
The key panel speakers present at the discussions on Day 3 were, Guruprasad Bangle, CTO, SolutionBuggy, Dr. Bhumi Rajyaguru, Deputy Director – NABL.
There were also showcases and panel discussions in the Culinary Corner by renowned chefs such as, Chef Beena Noronha, Corporate Chef Chrome Hospitality, Executive Chef for Lyla Bombay and Gigi Bombay, Chef Rahul Punjabi, Corporate Executive Chef – Aspect Hospitality, Chef Varun Inamdar, Celebrity Chef & Restauranteur.
Commenting on the same, Denis Steker, Senior VP, Koelnmesse said, “Anuga Select India and Anuga FoodTec India 2024 have showcased the importance of innovation and collaboration in shaping the future of the global F&B industry. Over the past three days, we’ve witnessed a wealth of ideas, practical solutions, and a collective commitment to pushing boundaries. The exchange of knowledge and expertise here is a testament to the Exhibition’s role as a catalyst for industry transformation.”
Adding to the same, Dixit, said, “The success of Anuga Select India and Anuga FoodTec India 2024 reflects the vibrant and dynamic nature of the Indian market. Each session, whether on the evolving retail landscape, digital innovations, or culinary creativity, has highlighted India’s pivotal role in the global food ecosystem. We are proud to bring together such a diverse array of voices and ideas, and we look forward to continuing this momentum in the
years to come.”
