fcicsouth 2026

Food Connoisseurs India Convention 2026
South India Edition

About

The Event

This burgeoning environment opens up a range of increasingly attractive B2B opportunities: premium and multi-brand cloud kitchens, tech-powered kitchen-as-a-service models, mobile-first food delivery platforms, regional artisan suppliers, and sustainable packaging firms. As consumer demand for convenience and culinary diversity escalates in urban hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kochi, the South Indian HoReCa channel is becoming a strategic epicentre for foodservice innovation, partnerships, and scalable growth.
Bringing together this transforming marketplace under the same roof, Industry Live presents Food Connoisseurs India Convention – South Edition (FCIC South) - a curated, premium B2B platform that delivers strategic depth, sector insight, and high-touch networking.

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About Event

Industry Beacon

Curated by Industry Live, this landmark edition brings together hospitality leaders, top suppliers, innovative brands, and visionary chefs under one roof—creating a high-value arena for strategic networking and deal-making. The South Edition celebrates the region’s rich culinary heritage while unlocking its fastest-growing opportunities, from premium dining and sustainable sourcing to tech-driven kitchens and cloud-first formats.

Bringing Together

Industry Leaders, Chefs & Food Enthusiasts

Across insightful panel discussions, curated showcases, and trend-spotting masterclasses, FCIC South continues its legacy of empowering stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of South India’s hospitality and foodservice landscape.

CONFERENCE

EXHIBITION

AWARDS

CONFERENCE

EXHIBITION

AWARDS

EVENT COUNTDOWN

Our Features

Turn opportunities into achievements!

Visionary Networks

Connect with HoReCa leaders, innovators and changemakers shaping the future of F&B.

Wisdom from Trailblazers

A powerhouse of knowledge where top chefpreneurs and visionaries share transformative ideas.

Innovation Unleashed

Elevate your brand, launch new ideas and capture the attention of F&B leaders on the most prestigious stage.

Recognising Culinary Titans

Honouring visionaries, innovators and pioneers who set new benchmarks in F&B.

Conference Agenda

Session 1 – South India’s HoReCa Landscape: Navigating Change & Capturing Demand

– South India’s HoReCa 2025 – The Growth Engine of Indian Hospitality
– How South India’s food habits are reshaping national menus
– ₹12 trillion HoReCa market and where the next ₹500 billion will come from
– Bengaluru’s tech-food boom, Chennai’s luxury dining rise, Hyderabad’s regal comeback
– Tier-2 treasures: Mysuru, Madurai, Vijayawada — the quiet goldmines
– Travel, tourism & corporate dining fuelling premium demand
– Regional cuisines as India’s next big export

Session 2 – Dining Trends Redefining the Plates of the Future

– “Instagram-first” food — the dish as the marketing budget
– Flexitarian flavours: plant-based, protein-rich, flavour-loaded
– From millet magic to Michelin dreams
– Hyper-local sourcing for authenticity that sells
– Health-forward menus for the wellness generation
– Retro comfort food meets modern plating
– Incorporating global influences
– Experiential dining and menu customisation

Session 3 – Digital-First Hospitality: From Menu to Delivery

– Click, Order, Repeat – Digital domination in dining
– Where hospitality meets swipe culture
– Cloud kitchens & app-first dining leading the way
– QR menus, instant reorders, and the zero-wait revolution
– AI-powered upselling: reading customer cravings in real time
– Social commerce via WhatsApp & Instagram DM
– Personalisation that makes customers feel like VIPs

Session 4 – The Sustainability Shift: From Buzzword to Business Model

– Farm-to-fork partnerships with local growers
– Zero-waste kitchens and composting models
– Packaging innovations consumers are ready to pay for
– The rise of climate-conscious diners
– Energy & water efficiency in new-age kitchens
– Consumer willingness to switch for sustainability
– Green certifications as a brand differentiator
– The ROI of going sustainable

Session 5 – Pouring Profits: The Beverage Boom in South India

– The Billion-Dollar Sip – From filter coffee to craft cocktails
– Heritage brews, modern margins – premiumising filter coffee, coconut water & buttermilk
– Tech-infused machinery for beverages: coffee, tea & more
– The Rise of Ready-to-Drink (RTD) – cold brews, iced teas & health juices
– Functional & fortified beverages: probiotics, adaptogens & Ayurveda
– Tourism as a beverage multiplier – vineyards, distilleries & tea trails
– Home & on-demand premium drinking – mixology kits & D2C models
– Investor insights: high-return beverage segments & scalability

Session 6 – Supply Chain Resilience in a Volatile World

– In HoReCa, your back-end can make or break your brand
– Tech-powered supplier–restaurant integration for consistency
– AI with a 6th sense – predicting diner demand
– Direct farm partnerships vs aggregator platforms – ROI battle
– Cold chain upgrades to meet evolving demands
– Ingredient traceability & consumer trust
– Taming price swings without compromising quality/profits
– Balancing leisure, business & “bleisure” supply needs

Session 7 – The Next Wave of Foodservice Formats

– Consumers embracing “experience over ownership” in dining
– New formats, new fortunes, and dining spaces of tomorrow
– Multi-brand cloud kitchens hyper-targeting neighbourhoods
– Gourmet food trucks as luxury casual
– Curated food halls for urban shoppers
– Pop-up restaurants as brand-testing grounds
– Co-working kitchens for catering startups

Session 8 – South Indian Cuisine 2.0: Tradition Meets Tomorrow

– Modernising traditional recipes without losing authenticity
– Cross-border collaborations with global chefs
– Packaging regional cuisine for ready-to-eat & export markets
– Pairing heritage dishes with modern beverages
– Culinary tourism trails: creating destination dining
– Showcasing South Indian cuisine in Michelin & global awards
– Social media virality for regional dishes
– Business value of preserving culinary heritage

Session 9 – Talent on Table: Winning the Hearts Behind Hospitality

– New-age chefpreneurs and their influence on trends
– From chefs to service stars — people who make brands iconic
– Digital training tools for service & kitchen staff
– Attracting Gen Z talent into hospitality
– Skill-building for fusion and multi-cuisine expertise
– Employee wellness as a retention strategy
– Gig economy models in catering & events
– Storytelling through staff – turning teams into brand ambassadors

Session 10 – After Hours: The Rise of Nightlife & Breweries in South India

– The Microbrewery Movement – Bengaluru, Hyderabad & Chennai leading
– Untapped cities poised for craft beer growth
– Diversifying the tap list beyond beer
– Nightlife 2.0 – lounges, speakeasies & café-bars redefining evenings
– Local meets global on tap – South Indian ingredients in brews
– Experiential drinking spaces with music, comedy & community
– Sustainable bar models – zero-waste brewing & renewable energy
– Navigating licensing reforms & city policies

Session 11 – Level Up Your Venture- The ‘Experience Economy’ where Food, Drinks, Decor & Digital Define Success

– Why your interiors are your silent brand storytellers
– Harnessing customer-generated content for trust and buzz
– Crafting signature cocktails/mocktails that tell your story through mixology
– Infusing local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients in food & cuisines
– How plating & crockery enhance perceived value with trends in minimal, eco-friendly and luxury tableware
– Beyond the Plate – Design & Flavour Disruption in creating Palate-pleasing food by Chefs & Restaurants
– Customised crockery as a branding tool
– Building systems, SOPs, and tech infusion for consistency
– Personalisation in guest experiences

A Few of the Previous Speakers

PADMA SHRI AWARDEE Dr. Pushpesh Pant

Indian Academician, Food Critic & Historian

PADMA SHRI AWARDEE DR. CHEF DAMU

Celebrity Chef & Brand Ambassador GRT Group of Hotels, President- South Indian Chefs Association

PADMA SHRI SANJEEV KAPOOR

Masterchef & Entrepreneur

CHEF HEMANT OBEROI

Founder, OB Hospitality and Hemant Oberoi Hospitality Goa
Founder, Michelin Selection Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi

CHEF MANJIT GILL

President, IFCA; Managing Director, Eco Green Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.

CHEF RANVEER BRAR

Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, TV Show Host, Masterchef India Judge, Author & Food Film Producer

CHEF SARANSH GOILA

Celebrity Chef & Founder, Goila Butter Chicken

ZORAWAR KALRA

Founder & MD, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. & Judge (MasterChef India)

CHEF SURESH PILLAI

Founder, RCP Hospitality

CHEF SANJAY THUMMA

Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur, Chef @ Vahrehvah.com

DR. (CHEF) K. THIRU

Founding Dean, The School of Hospitality Management, Mahindra University

CHEF DAVINDER KUMAR

Vice President,
Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi
& President, Indian Culinary Forum

CHEF KUNAL KAPUR

Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, TV Personality, Judge (MasterChef India), Author & Food Researcher

CHEF CHALAPATHI RAO

Cuisine Designer & Partner – SIMPLY SOUTH, Masterchef India (Telugu) Judge, TEDx Speaker

CHEF KOUSHIK S.

Celebrity Chef, Consultant, Master Chef Tamil Judge & Founder, Eatitude
dia)

CHEF AMIT GOTHWAL

Executive Chef Ashok Hotel, Former Executive Chef, President’s Sectretariat

CHEF MONTU SAINI

Executive Chef – ITDC- Parliament House, Sr. Executive Chef – President’s Secretariat (June 2015 – August 2020), Former Member To Le Club Des Chefs Des Chefs (CCC) (Since June 2015), CCC – Club Of Personal Chefs Of Heads Of States & The World’s Most Exclusive Gastronomic Society

CHEF PANKAJ BHADOURIA

TV Host, Author, TEDx Speaker, Entrepreneur, Educator

ARUN ADIGA

Managing Partner, Vidyarthi Bhavan

SWARNALATHA RAVI

Director, Namma Veedu Vasanta Bhavan

RAGHAVENDRA RAO

Co-Founder & CEO, The Rameshwaram Café

SHAKIR HAQ

CEO, NKP EMPIRE VENTURES PVT LTD (Empire Restaurant, Empire Juice, EasyBites, Karama Restaurant, Vegetarea)

SWETA RAVI

Director,
Nandhana Group of restaurants

SANGEETHA MARUTHAPANDIAN

Director, Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant

SANJANA SURESH

Partner, Sangeetha Veg Restaurant

M. HAFEES AHMED

Director, Ambur Star Briyani International Private Limited

ESHWAR K VIKAS

Co-Founder & CEO, Mukunda Foods

CHEF SASHI JACOB

Vice President (Food & Beverage), Villa Maya & Baker’s Arch; Mentor, Creative Head, Visionary Designer, Curator of memorable experiences & Jury Member for multiple culinary competitions

MUKESH TOLANI

Co-Founder and Director, Toit Beer Co., pH4 Food & Beverages Pvt. Ltd.

BERT MUELLER

California Burrito

TEJA CHEKURI

Managing Partner, Ironhill India

DEEPA HALL

Managing Partner, Ironhill India

SID MARCHANT

Co-Founder,
Good Flippin’ Burgers & FLYP Coffee

MAHESH REDDY

Chief Executive Officer, GOPIZZA

PRASHANT ISSAR

MD – Bellona Hospitality Services Limited & MD and Founder- Stratix Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.

RAMAKRISHNA GANESH

Investor and Partner, Multiple Ventures,
Sally and Street by 1522

KARAN KAPUR

Executive Director, K Hospitality Corp

YANGDUP LAMA

Entrepreneur, Beverage Consultant, Author & Co-Founder, Sidecar and Cocktails & Dreams Speakeasy and Partner, Drinks India Company

SONAL HOLLAND

Master of Wine, Founder Director, Soho Wine Consultants & Sonal Holland Wine Academy

ROCKY MOHAN

Brand custodian, Old Monk, Author, Founder, Gourmet Passport & Chef Pin

AVINASH KANT KUMAR

President, Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd.

RAGHAV JOSHI

Co-founder, Rebel Foods

DHIMAN DAS

Executive Director,K.C. Das Private Limited

AVINASH KAPOLI

Co-Founder, Kompany / Jamming Goat

SANCHARI CHOWDHURY

Campus Director – IIHM Bangalore and Head – South; Co-Chairperson, Hospitality, Tourism & Travel Expert Committee- Bangalore Chamber of Industry and commerce (BCIC ) Karnataka

AKASH KALRA

Managing Director, United Group

AKSHAY BALWANI

Director, Upper Crust Foods Private Limited (Sbarro Pizza India

BALACHANDAR R

Executive Director, Junior Kuppanna Kitchens Pvt Ltd

TARAK BHATTACHARYA

Executive Director and CEO,
Mad Over Donuts

RAYMOND ANDREW

Founder, Biryani Blues

B.A.R. MOHAMED ALI

Chairman & Managing Director, Narmada Group of Hotels

NITIN TANDON

Food stylist, Chefpreneur,
& Educator

BIRAJA ROUT

Founder,
Biggies Burger

NICHOLAS GROSEMI

Co-Founder,
Paris Panini

ROHIT KASUGANTI

Founder & CEO, Telangana Spice Kitchen & Terrāi

MANISH GUPTAA

Director – Digital Marketing & Technology,
Pizza Hut India, Yum! Brands

CHEF RAKESH SETHI

Corporate Executive Chef, Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group

RASHMI DAGA

Founder & CEO, FreshMenu

NOUFAL NARIKOLLI

Founder & CEO,
Zaitoon Restaurant and Grill

ABHAYRAJ SINGH KOHLI

Founder, Tori, Grandmamas Café, MRP & The Roll Company

RAHUL SETH

Co-Founder,
Burger Singh

VIJAY DALWANI

Chairman,
DNY Hospitality

RAJAT AGARWAL

Chief Executive Officer, Barista Coffee Company Limited

MARICHI MATHUR

Sr. Vice President Retail, ONDC

CHEF SHREEYA ADKA

MasterChef India Tamil Judge, Founder / Chef – The French Door

SHIVNAYAN AGGARWAL

Co-Founder,
Burger Singh

SUNITA REDDY

Chief Architect, ACME Designers

CHEF SHRIRAM RAJENDRAN

Chef, CEO, Author (The Table Book of Desserts), Foodpreneur, Founder (The Table India, Mapo Hakka Chinese, Butter Crust Pizzeria)

BOBBY PATEL

Co-Founder and Culinary Director, Trinetra Venture (Thyme & Whisk, MadDoh, Tribes)

ARUN PRASANNA

Corporate General Manager – Byg Ventures Pvt Ltd

Awards Overview

The Food Connoisseurs India Awards are India’s largest and most prestigious honours dedicated exclusively to excellence in the HoReCa and F&B sectors. A true one-of-its-kind recognition platform, these awards celebrate innovation, craftsmanship, and business leadership across the country’s diverse hospitality landscape. Presented by Industry Live and evaluated by an eminent jury of industry veterans, celebrated chefs, and F&B sector thought-leaders, the FCIC Awards uphold the highest standards of credibility and impact. From visionary entrepreneurs and pioneering brands to breakthrough concepts and sustainable initiatives, the awards shine a spotlight on those redefining the benchmarks of India’s foodservice industry. More than just accolades, the FCIC Awards serve as a national stage where excellence is recognised, reputations are built, and the future of Indian hospitality is inspired.

Previous Jury Members

PADMA SHRI AWARDEE Dr. Pushpesh Pant

Indian Academician, Food Critic And Historian

PADMA SHRI AWARDEE DR. CHEF DAMU

Celebrity Chef & Brand Ambassador GRT Group of Hotels, President- South Indian Chefs Association

PADMA SHRI SANJEEV KAPOOR

Masterchef & Entrepreneur

CHEF HEMANT OBEROI

Founder, OB Hospitality and Hemant Oberoi Hospitality Goa
Founder, Michelin Selection Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi

CHEF MANJIT GILL

President, IFCA; Managing Director, Eco Green Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.

DR. (CHEF) K. THIRU

Founding Dean, The School of Hospitality Management, Mahindra University

Chef Chalapathi Rao

Cuisine Designer & Partner – SIMPLY SOUTH, Masterchef India (Telugu) Judge, TEDx Speaker

Zorawar Kalra

Founder & MD, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. & Judge (MasterChef India)

Chef Koushik S.

Celebrity Chef, Consultant, Master Chef Tamil Judge & Founder, Eatitude
dia)

Chef Suresh Pillai

Founder, RCP Hospitality

Chef Sanjay Thumma

Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur, Chef @ Vahrehvah.com

Chef Kunal Kapur

Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, TV Personality, Judge (MasterChef India), Author & Food Researcher

CHEF RITU DALMIA

Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Owner of multiple acclaimed restaurants worldwide, Popular TV host & Author of several Cookbooks.

Kunal Vijayakar

Broadcaster, Food Writer, Author, Actor and Television Personality

SHATBHI BASU

Director,
Creative Consultants &
STIR Academy Of Bartending

Chef Davinder Kumar

executive Chef & Vice President, Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi & President, Indian Culinary Forum

CHEF HARPAL SINGH SOKHI

Celebrity Chef & Entrepreneur

Sanjay Vazirani

Chief Executive Officer, Foodlink F&B Holdings India Pvt. Ltd.

Chef Ajay Chopra

Chefpreneur, Restaurateur, Consultant & Judge (MasterChef India)

Chef Abhijit Saha

Restauranteur, Food & Beverage Consultant, Oenophile And Author
Chef-Owner – LYFE, Farm To Fork Restaurant, Bangalore

Chef Shreeya Adka

Masterchef India Tamil Judge, Founder / Chef – The French Door

CHEF VARUN INAMDAR

Chef, Chocolatier, Food Stylist, Author, Food Film Maker, Brand Advisor & Consultant

Chef Sanjyot Keer

Celebrity Chef, Founder, Your Food Lab, Content Creator, Food Brand Adviser

Chef Saby

Chef, Mentor, Restaurateur & Entrepreneur

Chef Aanal Kotak

Celebrity Chef & Co-Founder,
TSK Hospitality LLP

MASTERCHEF PANKAJ BHADOURIA

TV Host, Author, TEDx Speaker, Entrepreneur, Educator

CHEF MARINA BALAKRISHNAN

Chef & Founder,
Oottupura

Chef Shaun Kenworthy

Chef, Restaurateur, Consultant, Food & Travel writer

CHEF MICHAEL SWAMY

Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur,
Food Stylist, Author

Chef Nikitha Umesh

Pastry Chef, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Chef & MasterChef India Judge (Telugu)

CHEF ANANYA BANERJEE

Author, Consultant, Founder & CEO,
Ananya Banerjee Consulting Services

CHEF SHERRY MEHTA

CEO, The Nomad Foodie, Award winning Chef Restauranteur, F&B Consultant, Food TV Show Judge, Pop-up Specialist

Ameeta Agnihotri

Award winning Food Critic & Author

Award Categories

RESTAURANT AWARDS

CLOUD KITCHEN

CUISINE AWARDS

CAFE & BAKERY AWARDS

DESIGN AWARDS

NIGHTLIFE AWARDS

NEWCOMER AWARDS

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS

SPECIAL AWARDS

Glimpses of the Zee Business

News Channel Coverage

Let’s do it hurry

Food Connoisseurs India Convention 2026 South India Edition

The Event

Industry Beacon

Industry Leaders, Chefs & Food Enthusiasts

EVENT COUNTDOWN

Turn opportunities into achievements!

Visionary Networks

Wisdom from Trailblazers

Innovation Unleashed

Recognising Culinary Titans

Conference Agenda

A Few of the Previous Speakers

PADMA SHRI AWARDEE Dr. Pushpesh Pant

PADMA SHRI AWARDEE DR. CHEF DAMU

PADMA SHRI SANJEEV KAPOOR

CHEF HEMANT OBEROI

CHEF MANJIT GILL

CHEF RANVEER BRAR

CHEF SARANSH GOILA

ZORAWAR KALRA

CHEF SURESH PILLAI

CHEF SANJAY THUMMA

DR. (CHEF) K. THIRU

CHEF DAVINDER KUMAR

CHEF KUNAL KAPUR

CHEF CHALAPATHI RAO

CHEF KOUSHIK S.

CHEF AMIT GOTHWAL

CHEF MONTU SAINI

CHEF PANKAJ BHADOURIA

ARUN ADIGA

SWARNALATHA RAVI

RAGHAVENDRA RAO

SHAKIR HAQ

SWETA RAVI

SANGEETHA MARUTHAPANDIAN

SANJANA SURESH

M. HAFEES AHMED

ESHWAR K VIKAS

CHEF SASHI JACOB

MUKESH TOLANI

BERT MUELLER

TEJA CHEKURI

DEEPA HALL

SID MARCHANT

MAHESH REDDY

PRASHANT ISSAR

RAMAKRISHNA GANESH

KARAN KAPUR

YANGDUP LAMA

SONAL HOLLAND

ROCKY MOHAN

AVINASH KANT KUMAR

RAGHAV JOSHI

DHIMAN DAS

AVINASH KAPOLI

SANCHARI CHOWDHURY

AKASH KALRA

AKSHAY BALWANI

BALACHANDAR R

TARAK BHATTACHARYA

RAYMOND ANDREW

B.A.R. MOHAMED ALI

NITIN TANDON

BIRAJA ROUT

NICHOLAS GROSEMI

ROHIT KASUGANTI

MANISH GUPTAA

CHEF RAKESH SETHI

RASHMI DAGA

NOUFAL NARIKOLLI

ABHAYRAJ SINGH KOHLI

RAHUL SETH

VIJAY DALWANI

RAJAT AGARWAL

MARICHI MATHUR

CHEF SHREEYA ADKA

SHIVNAYAN AGGARWAL

SUNITA REDDY

CHEF SHRIRAM RAJENDRAN

Food Connoisseurs India Convention 2026
South India Edition

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