Reflections and Future Prospects: F&B Leaders Share Their Year-End Insights

Reflections and Future Prospects: F&B Leaders Share Their Year-End Insights

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 19, 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, key figures from the food and beverage sector reflect on the milestones and challenges of the year. From growth and innovation to sustainability, it’s been a year of exciting transformations. Here's what some prominent F&B leaders had to say about their experiences.

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Vikesh Shah, Founder of 99 Pancakes, expresses immense pride in his company’s growth, calling 2024 a transformative year. “Reflecting on this year, I couldn't be prouder of the growth and evolution we've experienced as a company. We set ambitious goals, many of which we surpassed, while others have provided us with invaluable lessons. Our team's relentless dedication to pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges has made this year one of our most transformative yet. As we enter the New Year, our commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and operational excellence remains stronger than ever. The journey is only just beginning, and I'm excited for what lies ahead,” he shares.

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For Simranjeet Singh, Director of CYK Hospitalities, 2024 was the year of concept-driven dining. "We saw a shift towards unique dining experiences that resonated with evolving consumer preferences. At CYK Hospitalities, we specialized in crafting bespoke concepts, blending innovation with authenticity. This year highlighted how a strong concept can turn a restaurant into a destination," he notes.

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On the other hand, Nidhi Singh, Co-founder of Samosa Singh, reflects on the year's focus on innovation and sustainability. “2024 has been a year of innovation and growth, as the industry embraced digital transformation and a return to roots with authentic yet healthier offerings. While we anticipated a focus on sustainability and consumer-centric solutions, the surge in global interest for Indian cuisine reaffirmed the timeless appeal of our culinary heritage. It’s an exciting time for the industry, with tradition and innovation coalescing like never before,” she says.

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Shikhar Veer Singh, Co-founder of Samosa Singh, shares his excitement about the company’s significant milestones. “2024 has been a defining year for Samosa Singh. We revamped our manufacturing capabilities, scaling production capacity by 5x to meet growing demand. Entering global markets and continuing our expansion, fueled by growth and customer love, are some of the major milestones that underscore our mission to bring India’s beloved snacks to a global stage. These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our customers. As we gear up for 2025, we are excited to build on this momentum and continue to innovate in the food industry,” he adds.

With 2024 behind them, the F&B industry’s leaders are eager to take their success forward into 2025, embracing both tradition and innovation as they continue to shape the future of the sector.


Celebrate World Chocolate Day at Dolci with Decadent Handcrafted Delights

Celebrate World Chocolate Day at Dolci with Decadent Handcrafted Delights

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 8, 2025

This July, immerse yourself in pure chocolate bliss as Dolci celebrates World Chocolate Day with a stunning collection of handcrafted creations designed to delight every chocolate lover. From silky truffles to indulgent cakes, each dessert showcases Dolci’s dedication to premium chocolate craftsmanship, promising an experience that’s rich, luxurious, and unforgettable.

Whether treating yourself to a moment of indulgence or sharing sweet memories with friends and family, this specially curated collection is crafted to satisfy even the most discerning chocolate connoisseurs. With a strong commitment to quality ingredients and traditional techniques, every bite at Dolci celebrates the rich heritage of fine chocolate.

At the core of each creation is the world-renowned Callebaut chocolate from Belgium, known for its exceptional quality and deep flavour profile. This premium chocolate forms the foundation of all Dolci’s chocolate offerings, ensuring each dessert delivers the authentic taste and smooth texture that true chocolate enthusiasts seek.

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Event Details:

  • Date: July 7, 2025

  • Venues: Dolci outlets at Cunningham Road, New BEL Road, and Lavelle Road, Bengaluru

Featured treats include:

  • Fresh Cream Truffle

  • Matilda Cake

  • Chocolate Noisette

  • Chocolate Praline

  • Chocolate Éclair

  • Gooey Chocolate Cake

Rich, decadent, and crafted with love — this isn’t just dessert, it’s a celebration of chocolate at its finest. Each creation is a testament to artisanal excellence, blending classic methods with a touch of contemporary flair.

Step into Dolci this World Chocolate Day and discover why for true chocolate lovers, quality always comes first.


Conrad Pune Celebrates World Chocolate Day with Bonbons, Workshops & High Tea

Conrad Pune Celebrates World Chocolate Day with Bonbons, Workshops & High Tea

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 8, 2025

This World Chocolate Day, Conrad Pune is making the city’s sweetest dreams come true with an exclusive celebration titled The Chocolate Chapter, hosted at the beloved Pune Sugar Box. From 6th to 16th July, dessert lovers can dive into a special chocolate menu featuring decadent creations like Passion Fruit Gel Bonbons, Pan Bahar Bonbons, Irish Maple bites, and indulgent Nama Chocolate, all handcrafted to perfection.

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The celebration reaches its peak on 7th July with an exclusive invite-only chocolate tasting and high tea event from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, led by award-winning pastry chef Krutika Gawas. With over 8.5 years of expertise in French patisserie and a recent win at a prestigious French pastry competition, Chef Krutika offers guests an intimate, behind-the-scenes experience into the world of chocolate making.

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The highlight includes uncovering the "Conrad Chocolate Secret" and exploring a curated chocolate tasting paired with a beautiful high tea setup. Whether you're attending the workshop or simply dropping by Pune Sugar Box for the chocolate menu, this celebration promises a sensorial journey through flavours and artistry that makes World Chocolate Day a truly memorable affair.


Chinese Wok and Big Bowl Shine with National Awards in 2025

Chinese Wok and Big Bowl Shine with National Awards in 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 10, 2025

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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