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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on June 10, 2025
We have carefully curated this newsletter to ensure it becomes your go-to resource for all things hospitality-related. Whether you are an industry professional, an avid traveller, or simply passionate about the art of hospitality, this newsletter will be your gateway to a world of inspiration, knowledge and unforgettable experiences.
Lenexis Foodworks, a key player in India’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, has made a remarkable mark in 2025, with its brands Chinese Wok and Big Bowl sweeping top honours across multiple award platforms nationwide. These recognitions reflect the group’s consistent growth, operational strength, and deep connection with Indian consumers.
Chinese Wok, the company’s flagship brand, was crowned QSR Chain of the Year at the ET Great India Retail Awards, and was celebrated as a Category Disruptor in the Restaurants, QSR & Food Services segment at the ET Brand Disrupt Awards. Its innovation in digital engagement was recognized with a win at the MOMMY Awards 2025 for Best Use of AR/VR, showcasing its shift towards experiential marketing.
At the Food Connoisseurs India Awards 2025, Chinese Wok earned the title of Best Quick Service Restaurant Chain - West India. Regionally, it stood out at the Times Food & Nightlife Awards with multiple titles including:
Best Asian Casual Dining – Navi Mumbai and Thane
Best Chinese Restaurant – Thane, Navi Mumbai, Jaipur, and Noida
Best QSR Casual Dining – Gurgaon
On the delivery front, the Swiggy Awards 2025 recognized Chinese Wok’s popularity across several cities:
Best Chinese:
Rank 1 in Madurai, Amritsar, Mysore
Rank 2 in Vadodara, Mumbai, Faridabad, Kanpur
Rank 3 in Jalandhar, Chennai, Vijayawada, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur
Best Momos – Chennai
Best Newcomer – Manipal
Meanwhile, Big Bowl, the cloud kitchen brand from Lenexis, won Cloud Kitchen of the Year – West India at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards, and ranked second in Best Chinese (Amritsar) at the Swiggy Awards.
These accolades come as Lenexis Foodworks pursues its vision of scaling up to 500 stores by 2027, opening 100 new outlets annually. From one outlet in 2015, the company has grown to over 235 locations in 35+ cities, positioning Chinese Wok as India’s largest Chinese QSR chain. The group is also expanding into East India with aggressive growth plans in Kolkata and neighbouring markets.
2025 also marked a year of fresh innovations. Chinese Wok launched new street-style offerings such as Kurkure Momos and Desi Chowmein, tailored to local tastes. The brand also debuted its cricket season ad campaign, blending themed visuals, contests, and special packaging.
Lenexis Foodworks continues to invest in storytelling and community efforts, from school outreach programs to revamped in-store experiences, strengthening its identity as a vibrant, home-grown brand. As it celebrates a decade of impact, the company is set to redefine Asian fast food experiences across India.
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By Author
Published on July 30, 2026
Sunfeast YiPPee! has brought a contemporary twist to Odisha’s rich culinary traditions through ‘Baro Masa, YiPPee! Parba’, an initiative inspired by the state’s celebrated philosophy of ‘Baro Masa, Tero Parba’ (12 months, 13 festivals).
The campaign reimagined 13 iconic Odia festive recipes by blending traditional flavours with the versatility of YiPPee! noodles. Each creation was inspired by a signature festival dish or ingredient associated with Odisha’s monthly celebrations and recreated through innovative cooking techniques, including replacing key ingredients, using noodles as a stuffing, or incorporating them into traditional preparations.
The initiative aimed to offer consumers a new way to experience familiar festive favourites while celebrating Odisha’s diverse food culture.
The 13 festival-inspired creations include:
YiPPee! Posto (Pana Sankranti)Inspired by Potala Posta, this preparation replaced pointed gourd with YiPPee! noodles cooked in a rich poppy seed (posto) gravy, allowing the noodles to absorb the traditional flavours.
YiPPee! Luna Poda Pitha (Raja Parba)Inspired by Luni Poda Pitha, this creation combined YiPPee! noodles with vegetables and spices, shaped into a pitha-style preparation while retaining the essence of the festive delicacy.
YiPPee! Dalma (Rath Yatra)A noodle-based interpretation of Odisha’s iconic Dalma, where YiPPee! noodles were added to the traditional vegetable and Dalma masala preparation to create a unique festive fusion.
YiPPee! Dahi Bara Aloo Dum (Gamha Purnima)The classic dish received a modern makeover with crispy noodle and rice-based bara served with curd and traditional Aloo Dum.
YiPPee! Saga Bhaja (Nuakhai)Inspired by the harvest festival preparation, YiPPee! noodles were combined with seasoned leafy greens to create a contemporary take on the traditional dish.
YiPPee! Khichdi (Durga Puja)The festive staple was recreated by reducing rice and dal quantities and incorporating YiPPee! noodles during the final stage of cooking.
YiPPee! Chaula Bara (Kumar Purnima)A noodle-inspired version of the traditional bara, prepared by combining YiPPee! noodles with vegetables and spices before shaping and frying them.
YiPPee! Thunka Puri (Bali Jatra)Traditional Thunka Puri was reinvented with a flavourful YiPPee! noodle stuffing before being fried and served with Chhena Tarkari.
YiPPee! Enduri Pitha (Prathamastami)The traditional turmeric leaf-steamed delicacy was recreated with YiPPee! noodles replacing the classic stuffing while maintaining the authentic preparation method.
YiPPee! Chuda with Aashirvaad Soya (Data Osha)This creation blended familiar regional flavours with YiPPee! noodles and Aashirvaad Soya for a contemporary festive interpretation.
YiPPee! Pakhala Bhata (Ispade Mela)Rather than altering the traditional Pakhala Bhata, YiPPee! created a flavourful noodle-based Choka as an innovative accompaniment.
YiPPee! Ghanta Tarkari (Dola Purnima)The mixed vegetable preparation was recreated with a thicker consistency and combined with YiPPee! noodles to absorb the festive flavours.
YiPPee! Muga Dali Khichdi (Ram Navami)The regional favourite was reimagined by blending YiPPee! noodles with moong dal preparation, creating a modern yet familiar festive dish.
Through these 13 creations, Sunfeast YiPPee! showcased the adaptability of noodles while celebrating Odisha’s food traditions, festivals, and cultural stories. The ‘Baro Masa, YiPPee! Parba’ initiative brought together innovation, regional cuisine, and festive experiences, highlighting how traditional recipes can evolve while remaining connected to their roots.
By Hariharan U
Published on April 26, 2026
403 Forbidden Bar is set to host a two-day Chef Takeover as part of its 403 OVERRIDE FIREWALL X series, featuring Priyam Chatterjee and Rishabh Seal on April 25 and 26.
Positioned as a high-intent, limited-period dining experience, the collaboration brings together two distinct culinary perspectives, blending heritage-driven narratives with contemporary interpretation. Designed as an immersive format, the takeover moves beyond conventional dining to present a structured and non-replicable culinary journey.
Chef Priyam Chatterjee, known for his progressive approach to modern Indian cuisine, brings a style shaped by classical technique and global exposure. His cooking focuses on elevating familiar flavours through precision and refined execution.
Chef Rishabh Seal complements this with a culinary philosophy rooted in cultural memory and subtle innovation, presenting dishes that balance regional influences with a contemporary lens.
Together, the chefs introduce a bespoke menu built around the theme “From Heritage to Haute Cuisine Reimagined”, where traditional flavours are reinterpreted using modern techniques. The experience unfolds as a layered, sensory journey, encouraging guests to engage with each course as part of a larger narrative.
The culinary offering is paired with the bar’s technique-driven cocktail programme, where methods such as distillation, clarification, and infusion are used to create drinks that align closely with the menu, enhancing the overall experience.
Set within a space inspired by the concept of a digital 403 access denied code, the venue is designed to encourage guests to disconnect from external distractions and immerse themselves fully in the experience. From lighting and sound to service, every element is curated to create a cohesive and engaging environment.
Speaking on the collaboration, Chef Priyam Chatterjee noted that the experience focuses on storytelling through food, presenting familiar flavours in a way that feels both intuitive and unexpected. Chef Rishabh Seal added that the menu aims to respect traditional roots while allowing flavours to evolve naturally.
Aman Dua, Co-Founder of 403 Forbidden Bar, highlighted that the series is designed as a platform for chefs with distinct culinary voices to engage with the space in a meaningful and immersive format.
With limited seating, the takeover offers a rare, experiential dining format, bringing together craft, creativity, and narrative-led cuisine in one of Bengaluru’s most conceptually distinctive venues.
Published on March 13, 2026
Matcha has found a strong fanbase in Delhi NCR, and the city’s café scene has fully embraced the trend. The Japanese green tea that has been enjoyed for centuries is now becoming a favourite among young consumers looking for something refreshing yet energising.
Unlike coffee, matcha is often known for providing a calmer and more steady energy boost without the sudden crash later in the day. The trend first gained popularity among Gen Z, and soon millennials followed, turning matcha into more than just a drink. Today, it has become a lifestyle choice, often associated with wellness and mindful living.
The matcha wave has also evolved beyond simple lattes. Cafés are experimenting with seasonal flavours and creative combinations, from fruity strawberry blends to refreshing coconut-based drinks. With so many options available, expectations for a good matcha experience have also grown. Across Delhi NCR, a few cafés are standing out for doing it particularly well.
Barista Coffee is one of the most accessible places to try matcha in the region. The brand introduced a special menu titled “Dhoom Matcha De,” bringing several variations of the drink to its customers. The range includes the Matcha Iced Latte, Matcha Strawberry, Matcha Frappe, and Matcha Hot Latte. With outlets spread across Delhi NCR, Barista offers an easy entry point for those curious to explore matcha for the first time.
Hinoki Slow Bar has quietly built a loyal following among matcha enthusiasts in Delhi. Founded by two friends, the café focuses on a slow and thoughtful preparation style. Each cup of matcha is freshly prepared in front of guests, allowing them to see the process up close. The menu includes both milk-based and water-based matcha drinks along with a selection of flavours and add-ons, making it a welcoming spot for both newcomers and regular visitors.
Got Tea takes a slightly different route by sourcing its matcha directly from Japan. The quality of the ingredient is clearly noticeable in its drinks. One of its most popular offerings is the Strawberry Matcha, which features a house-made strawberry compote layered with vibrant matcha. The menu also includes options such as a citrus matcha tonic, a matcha blueberry blend, and even matcha-inspired baked goods. With most outlets open until midnight, it has become a reliable stop for matcha lovers at almost any time of the day.
Espresso Anyday is known for its experimental menu and offers one of the more creative matcha selections in the region. In addition to classic lattes, the café serves drinks such as a coconut matcha float, matcha tonic, matcha slush, and a matcha americano for those looking to try something different. Among regulars, the Vanilla Ice Cream Matcha is particularly popular, combining creamy texture with well-balanced matcha flavours.
Third Wave Coffee takes a simpler approach with a focused matcha menu. Its Japanese Matcha Latte, available both hot and iced, is widely appreciated for being smooth and not overly bitter, making it ideal for beginners. The café also serves a Strawberry Matcha Latte for those who enjoy a slightly fruity twist, while the Vanilla Matcha Bubble Tea offers a more playful option for customers in the mood for something different.
As matcha continues to grow in popularity, cafés across Delhi NCR are refining how they serve the drink. Whether someone is exploring matcha for the first time or already enjoys it regularly, these cafés offer some of the city’s most interesting ways to experience this vibrant green beverage.
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