Agenda old

09:00 am - 10:00 am

Conference Registration along with Networking Tea

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

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

10:05 AM - 10:15 AM

Session 1: The Evolving Dining Landscape of India

  • Evolving trends revamping the HoReCa Industry

  • Rise of Cloud Kitchens, Dark Stores, and Invisible Kitchens

  • The Future of Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs)

  • The Growth of Healthy and Sustainable Food Concepts

  • Innovation & Sustainability Driving FoodTech

  • Carving a Niche: Customer Referrals over Traditional Advertising

  • Organic – Not Just in Produce, but in Business Growth

  • Redefining Luxury Club Experiences: Creating 5-Star Service Beyond Hotels

  • Elevating Club Culture & Delivering Exceptional Member Experiences


 

Session Lead

Chef Abhijit Saha
Restaurateur, Food & Beverage Consultant, Oenophile, and Author
Chef-Owner – LYFE, Farm to Fork Restaurant, Bangalore


 

Speakers

  • Mr. Raghavendra Rao – Co-Founder & CEO, The Rameshwaram Café

  • Mr. Arun Adiga – Managing Partner, Vidyarthi Bhavan

  • Chef Nikitha Umesh – Pastry Chef, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Chef & MasterChef India Judge (Telugu)

  • Ms. Bobby Patel – Co-Founder & Culinary Director, Trinetra Venture (Thyme & Whisk, MadDoh, Tribes)

  • Mr. Ahmed Shamshuddin – Managing Director, Kings Club

  • Mr. Prakash G – Founder & Managing Partner, The Nachiyar Café

11:15 AM - 11:35 AM

Fireside Chat Use of Ready Made Gravies & Frozen Products in HoReCa INDUSTRY

Chef Aanal Kotak, Celebrity Chef, Co-Founder, TSK Hospitality LLP
Moderated By: Mr. Raunak Kundu, Founder, Bluchisel Business Solutions

11:15 AM - 11:35 AM

11:35 AM - 12:30 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 through User-Generated Content


Session Partner: COMMFREE
Food Delivery Partner: (Not specified — placeholder for partner logo/name)


 

Session Lead

Mr. Ananth Narayan
Proprietor – Just BLR, Just BLR Arena, Just BLR Comedy Club, Kothaichi

 


 

Speakers

  • Mr. Eshwar K Vikas – Co-Founder & CEO, Mukunda Foods

  • Mr. Mahesh Reddy – Chief Executive Officer, GOPIZZA

  • Mr. Abhinav Mathur – Managing Director, Kaapi Machines

  • Mr. Girish Pai – Founder & CEO, GrowthFalcons

  • Ms. Rashmi Daga – Founder & CEO, FreshMenu

  • Mr. G. K. Pramod – Author, Mentor, Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder – Iyengar’s Oven Fresh, Coffee Confessions, Casa Picossa Tropical Terrace, Bengaluru Belly

 

12:30 PM - 1:20 PM

11:35 AM - 12:30 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


 

Session Lead

Mr. R. S. Dharmendra
Chief Operating Officer, Gigu Hospitality Private Limited, Gilly’s Chain of Restobars


 

Speakers

  • Ms. Sanjana Suresh – Partner, Sangeetha Veg Restaurant

  • Ms. Rajathi Kalimuthan – Founder & Managing Director, Rhythm Natural Mineral Water, Marvelle Health Care Pvt. Ltd.

  • Mr. Shashank Anumula – Owner, Café Niloufer

  • Mr. Balachandar R – Executive Director, Junior Kuppanna Kitchens Pvt. Ltd.

  • Mr. Rohit Kasuganti – Founder & CEO, Telangana Spice Kitchen & Terrāi

  • 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

1:20 PM - 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

11:35 AM - 12:30 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 – Monitoring Social Media Platforms to Identify Emerging Trends & Consumer Sentiment

  • Enhancing Dining Experiences with AR Technology and Virtual Culinary Journeys


 

Session Lead

Chef Koushik S.
Founder, Eatitude Consultants; MasterChef Tamil Judge & TEDx Speaker


 

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

  • Mr. Maniram Selvaraj – Fourth-Generation Entrepreneur, Head of Operations, Ponram Biriyani Restaurant

  • Mr. Sreeram Anvesh – Co-Founder, Brik Oven

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

  • Mr. Saurabh Shrivastava – Founder, Mangosteen Café

  • RJ Rajas Jain – RJ & Food Blogger, Radio City 91.1 FM

02:50 PM - 3:00 PM

Keynote Session Building an Inclusive Food Delivery Network

  • Mr. Marichi Mathur, Sr. Vice President Retail, ONDC

3:00 PM - 4:00 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 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


     

  • Session Lead

    Chef Shreeya Adka
    MasterChef India Tamil Judge; Founder / Chef – The French Door


     

  • Speakers

    • Mr. K. Syama Raju – Managing Director, Hotel Maurya, Bengaluru; President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI)

    • Chef Sanjay Thumma – Celebrity Chef & Entrepreneur, Chef @ Vahrehvah.com

    • Chef K. Thiru – Dean, School of Hospitality, Mahindra University, Hyderabad

    • Chef Ajay Chopra – Chefpreneur, Restaurateur, Consultant & Judge (MasterChef India)

    • Chef Chalapathi Rao – Cuisine Designer & Partner, Simply South; MasterChef India (Telugu) Judge; TEDx Speaker

    • Mr. B. A. R. Mohamed Ali – Chairman & Managing Director, Narmada Group of Hotels

    • Chef Vinod Bhati – Executive Member, Indian Culinary Forum (ICF), IFCA, WACS

02:50 PM - 3:00 PM

4:00 PM - 4:10 PM

Keynote Session: Building a Legacy: How to Sustain Growth and Authenticity in the Food Industry

    • Ms. Sangeetha Maruthapandian, Director, Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant

4:10 PM - 4:20 PM

Keynote Session: From Chef to Chefpreneur: Crafting Memorable Dining Experiences

    • Chef Suresh Pillai, Founder, RCP Hospitalty

4:20 PM - 5:10 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 & 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


Session Lead

Ms. Sunita Reddy
Chief Architect, ACME Designers


Speakers

  • Mr. Avinash Kapoli – Co-Founder, Kompany / Jamming Goat

  • Mr. Vinay B. C. – Founder & Brewpreneur, Long Boat Brewing Co.; Forbes Business Council Member 2024

  • Mr. Arun Prasanna – Corporate General Manager, Byg Ventures (Byg Brewski Brewing Co., Bob’s Bar, Jollygunj)

  • Mr. Prem Kumar G. T. – Vice President, JSM Corporation

  • Ms. Swapn Randhawa – Vice President, Spaceman Spirits Lab

4:10 PM - 4:20 PM

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

AWARDS REGISTRATION WITH NETWORKING COCKTAILS

7:00 PM - 7:10 PM

INAUGURAL KEYNOTE BY CHIEF GUEST CULTURAL INFLUENCE ON CUISINES

Shri. Dr. K H Muniyappa, Minister for Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs Govt. of Karnataka

7:10 PM onwards

AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOLLOWED BY NETWORKING DINNER