Agenda

Still Wondering, Why Enter?

  • Winning at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards will help in improving brand awareness and promote your business to new customers via national PR.
  • A successful entry honours and salutes your hard work and your colleagues’ accomplishments.
  • Registering and being a part of this event enables you to benefit from the partner network enabled by these awards which will be utilized to promote all the winners.
  • A win acts as a 3rd party endorsement for your business, becoming a significant differentiating factor setting you apart from the others in your sector.
  • The trust and credibility that comes with awards recognition can play a key part in a potential new customers’ decision to choose and prioritize you over your fellow competitors.
  • The winners will be presented with a trophy and certificate amidst media & Industry veterans.

10:00 AM - 10:05 AM

Welcome Address

10:05 AM - 10:15 AM

Inaugural Keynote Address
The Art of Transformation: Elevating Local Favourites into Culinary Masterpieces

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

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Session 1: The Evolving Dining Landscape of India

  • Evolving trends revamping the HoReCa Industry
  • Rise of cloud kitchens, dark stores and invisible kitchen
  • The future of quick-service restaurants (QSRs)
  • The growth of healthy and sustainable food concepts
  • Innovation and Sustainability driving the FoodTech
  • Carving a niche: Customer referrals over traditional advertising
  • Organic, not just in produce but in business growth as well

SPEAKERS:

  • Mr. Raghavendra Rao, Co-Founder & CEO, The Rameshwaram Café
  • Mr. Arun Adiga, Managing Partner, Vidyarthi Bhavan
  • Chef Abhijit Saha, Restaurateur, Food & Beverage Consultant, Oenophile And Author Chef-Owner – LYFE, Farm To Fork Restaurant, Bangalore
  • Chef Nikitha Umesh, Pastry Chef, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Chef & MasterChef India Judge (Telugu)

11:15 AM - 11:35 AM

Keynote Session

11:35 AM - 12:25 PM

Session 2: Technology Disrupting the HoReCa Industry

  • FoodTech Innovations and AI-Powered Recommendations
  • AI, ML applications, Robotic Baristas and Cooks
  • Blockchain for food traceability and supply chain management
  • Internet of Things (IoT) in smart kitchens and restaurants
  • Digital payments and contactless dining
  • Reaching a wider audience base through User-Generated Content

SPEAKERS:

  • Mr. Eshwar K Vikas, Co-Founder & CEO, Mukunda Foods
  • Ms. Rashmi Daga, Founder & CEO, FreshMenu

12:25 PM - 12:40 PM

Keynote Session

12:40 PM - 1:25 PM

Session 3: Revitalizing Culinary Offerings: The New Wave of Unique Menus

  • Emphasis on Sourcing and Quality
  • Reducing Food Wastage
  • Experiential Dining and Menu Customization
  • Storytelling Through Menus
  • The Future of Menus: Anticipating the Next Big Thing
  • Utilizing Unique Ingredients
  • Incorporating Global Influences

SPEAKERS:

  • Mr. G K Pramod, Author, Mentor, Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder – Iyengar’s Oven Fresh, Coffee Confessions, Casa Picossa Tropical Terrace, Bengaluru Belly
  • Mr. R.S. Dharmendra, Chief Operating Officer, Gigu Hospitality Private Limited, Gillys Chain of Restobars

1:25 PM - 2:10 PM

Networking Lunch

2:10 PM - 2:55 PM

Session 4: What we Eat- Understanding Consumer Preferences and pivoting Market Dynamics

  • Changing dietary habits and preferences (vegan, vegetarian, plant-based)
  • The influence of social media and food influencers
  • Experiential dining and the demand for unique concepts
  • Local sourcing and farm-to-table initiatives
  • Social Listening: Monitor social media platforms to identify emerging trends, consumer sentiment
  • Enhance dining experiences with AR technology and virtual culinary journeys

SPEAKERS:

  • Mr. Shakir Haq, CEO, NKP EMPIRE VENTURES PVT LTD (Empire Restaurant, Empire Juice, EasyBites, Karama Restaurant, Vegetarea)
  • Mr. Sumesh Govind, CEO, Paragon Group of Restaurants
  • Chef Shriram Rajendran, Chef, CEO, Author- The table book of desserts, Foodpreneur, Founder -The Table India, Mapo Hakka Chinese, Butter Crust Pizzeria
  • Chef Koushik S., Founder, Eatitude Consultants, MasterChef Tamil Judge & TEDx Speaker
  • RJ Rajas Jain, RJ and Food Blogger, Radio City 91.1FM

02:55 PM - 3:05 PM

Keynote Session

03:05 PM - 3:15 PM

Keynote Session

  • Mr. Raghav Joshi, Co-Founder, Rebel Foods

3:15 PM - 4:05 PM

Session 5: Global Food Trends and Local Adaptations

  • Fusion cuisine and cultural exchange
  • International food chains and their impact on the Indian market
  • Regional specialties and the revival of traditional cuisines
  • Going micro in exploring food trends: from mustard sauce to ‘kashundi’
  • The role of food festivals and events in promoting local food
  • Emergence of pop-up restaurants and food trucks showcasing local flavoUrs

SPEAKERS:

  • Chef Sanjay Thumma, Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur, Chef @ Vahrehvah.com
  • Chef K Thiru, Dean School of Hospitality, Mahindra University Hyderabad
  • Chef Shreeya Adka, Masterchef India Tamil Judge, Founder / Chef – The French Door

4:05 PM - 4:15 PM

Keynote Session:
Scaling Without Compromise: Expanding a Traditional Brand While Preserving Authenticity

  • Ms. Sangeetha Maruthapandian, Director, Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant

4:15 PM - 4:25 PM

Keynote Session

  • Chef Suresh Pillai, Founder, RCP Hospitalty

4:25 PM - 5:15 PM

Session 6: The Big Business of Nighttime grazing

  • Innovations in beverage technology (molecular mixology and non-alcoholic options)
  • The Art of Pairing: Food and Beverage Matchmaking
  • The Rise of Night Markets and Food Halls for diverse culinary experiences
  • Food and music events and festivals – the new addas for youth
  • Experiential Nightlife with niche and themed bars
  • New-age restrobars high on Immersive Experiences
  • Personalized dining experiences and incorporating eco-friendly practices

SPEAKERS:

  • Mr. Avinash Kapoli, Co-Founder, Kompany/Jamming Goat
  • Mr. Arun Prasanna, Corporate General Manager, Byg Ventures (Byg Brewski Brewing Co., Bob’s Bar, Jollygunj)
  • Mr. Prem Kumar GT, Vice President, JSM Corporation
  • Ms. Swapn Randhawa, Vice President, Spaceman Spirits Lab

5:15 PM - 5:25 PM

Keynote Session

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

AWARDS REGISTRATION WITH NETWORKING SESSION

7:00 PM onwards

AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOLLOWED BY NETWORKING DINNER