Chef Joel Basumatari’s "Seven Spices Up North" Pop-Up Takes Over Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai

Chef Joel Basumatari’s "Seven Spices Up North" Pop-Up Takes Over Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai

By Shreenidhi Jagannathan

Published on June 18, 2024

The Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, in partnership with Gormei, renowned for curating exceptional culinary experiences, proudly presents "Seven Spices Up North"—a unique dining adventure curated by acclaimed Chef Joel Basumatari. Ranked #27 on India's Top 30 Chefs list by Culinary Culture, Chef Joel will showcase the vibrant flavors of Naga cuisine at the Momo Cafe from June 14th to June 23rd, 2024.

Victor Chen, General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, expressed his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to welcome Chef Basumatari. His expertise in Naga cuisine offers a unique opportunity for our diners to explore bold and beautiful flavors. At Courtyard by Marriott, we strive to curate unforgettable experiences, and the 'Seven Spices Up North' pop-up promises to be a culinary adventure for all."

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Chef Basumatari's specially curated menu highlights the versatility and health benefits of Naga cuisine. Diners can look forward to a variety of dishes, including steaming hot pots, live cooking stations, flavorful soups, appetizers, and mains. Each meal can be completed with fluffy rice, decadent desserts, and a variety of condiments to enhance the dining experience. Signature dishes include:

  • Dohneiiong: A traditional dish from Meghalaya featuring tender pork cooked with black sesame paste and aromatic spices.
  • Masor Bor: A delightful fish dumpling soup made with ground fish paste, herbs, and spices, offering a burst of flavors with every spoonful.
  • Millet Cannoli: A fusion dessert that combines the Italian cannoli with millet for a unique and delicious treat.
  • Masor Tenga: A tangy fish curry from Assam made with souring agents like tomatoes, lemon, or dried kokum, giving it a refreshing and zesty flavor profile.
  • Oma Bedor Saonia: A traditional Naga dish featuring smoked pork cooked with fermented bamboo shoots and fiery Naga chili peppers, resulting in a smoky, spicy, and aromatic curry.
  • Kenie Thevü Gacha: A comforting rice porridge from Nagaland made with locally-grown sticky rice and served with various toppings such as boiled eggs, vegetables, and pickles.

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Chef Basumatari aims to introduce diners to the unique ingredients and intriguing flavor profiles of Naga cuisine. "Naga cuisine is a hidden gem, celebrating fresh, local produce and traditional cooking methods," he said. "My menu for 'Seven Spices Up North' is a vibrant exploration of these elements. I want diners to experience the warmth and hospitality integral to Naga culture through food. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or curious to try something new, this pop-up at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai will be an unforgettable culinary adventure."

Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to experience the magic of Naga cuisine at MoMo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport.

Venue: MoMo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, Lobby Level, CTS 215, Opposite Carnival Cinemas, Andheri Kurla Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059

Dates: June 14th to June 23rd, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Price: INR 2375++

For reservations and more information, visit the Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport website.


Koffelo Launches NOC: India’s First Ultra-Fast Cold Brew Liquid Shot

Koffelo Launches NOC: India’s First Ultra-Fast Cold Brew Liquid Shot

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 18, 2025

Koffelo, a new-age Indian coffee brand known for innovation and convenience, has introduced NOC (Nitrogen Over Coffee), India’s first ultra-fast cold brew liquid shot. Using patented super drop technology, NOC brews smooth, café-style cold brew in just five seconds, offering a modern, premium coffee experience outside cafés.

Each compact 20 mL shot is crafted from carefully selected Brazilian and Ethiopian Arabica beans. Slow-extracted for rich flavour and sealed for freshness, NOC delivers 2.4× more natural caffeine with only 15 calories, low acidity, no synthetic stimulants, and zero added sugar or preservatives.

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Designed to look, sound, and taste like a café-crafted cold brew, NOC collapses the hours-long brewing process into an instant experience without compromising smoothness or purity. It blends effortlessly with hot or cold water, milk, soda, tonic, lemonade, smoothies, cocktails, or mocktails, creating a satisfying hiss, a cascading swirl, and a creamy foamy finish reminiscent of premium café drinks.

NOC is also a healthier alternative to energy drinks, making it an ideal choice for professionals, students, athletes, gamers, and travellers seeking a convenient, energizing beverage.

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Gaurav Varshney, Founder of Koffelo, shares:

"India’s cold brew market is growing rapidly, but innovation has been limited. Cold brew was either too slow or inaccessible. With NOC, we didn’t want to improve cold brew, we wanted to reinvent it. Now, the premium café experience is available instantly, anytime, anywhere."

NOC is part of Koffelo’s expanding portfolio under Morning Brew Pvt. Ltd., which aims to build India’s most modern, convenience-led coffee ecosystem. With this launch, Koffelo strengthens its position as a pioneer in premium, fast, and experiential coffee solutions for the Indian market.


Tastepreneur Grand Event at SGT University Celebrates India’s Emerging F&B Entrepreneurs

Tastepreneur Grand Event at SGT University Celebrates India’s Emerging F&B Entrepreneurs

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 18, 2025

AGSKI 360 (Anantaa GSK Innovations Pvt. Ltd.), in association with its knowledge partner, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at SGT University, hosted the Catch Presents Tastepreneur Grand Event at the SGT University campus in Gurugram. The event celebrated India’s vibrant F&B sector, bringing together culinary visionaries, hospitality experts, and emerging entrepreneurs for a day of inspiration, mentorship, and innovation.

The event was inaugurated by Chef Vivek Saggar, General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum, who set the tone for the day with his insights and experience. His presence inspired budding entrepreneurs, emphasizing leadership, creativity, and excellence in the culinary arts.

Tastepreneur serves as a platform to empower India’s rising food and hospitality entrepreneurs. Through live demonstrations, panel discussions, competitions, and networking sessions, participants gained valuable mentorship and practical insights to refine their concepts and scale their businesses. The event drew a diverse audience including chefs, startup founders, food bloggers, influencers, educators, and institutional leaders.

A key highlight was bridging creative talent with industry expertise, enabling startups to learn from veterans and improve business strategies. Culinary innovation showcases allowed participants to present new recipes and food concepts, while collaborative sessions encouraged exchange of ideas between food-tech innovators and hospitality leaders.

Expanding beyond the event, Tastepreneur has launched a reality show, featuring ten episodes where top industry figures acted as “sharks,” mentoring and investing in innovative food startups. Additionally, the AGSKI 360 Podcast Series on YouTube offers industry insights and emerging trends, further supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.

The event also celebrated young talent through culinary competitions. The HomeChef competition stood out, showcasing amateur chefs from across India and encouraging creativity and skill development in the country’s evolving food scene.

Industry participation was extensive, with notable brands and organisations including the Indian Culinary Forum, Catch (DS Group), Pansari Group, Roop Mahal Rice, Unox, Aggarwal Namkeen, Mohan Ghee, and Steadfast contributing as mentors, jury members, and speakers. Their guidance provided emerging entrepreneurs with practical advice and inspiration.

The event featured expert-led sessions, live demonstrations, and mentor-led workshops, creating a hands-on learning environment. Networking with industry leaders offered further opportunities for growth. A special moment was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Chef Vivek Saggar, recognizing his contributions to Indian culinary arts. Col. S. S. Vaid and Prof. (Dr.) Hemant Verma also addressed the gathering, motivating young professionals to pursue careers grounded in creativity, sustainability, and innovation.

Looking ahead, the Tastepreneur platform plans to expand the reality show to new regions and introduce more initiatives to foster entrepreneurship in India’s F&B sector. The Grand Event marked a strong beginning, positioning India as a global hub for culinary innovation and hospitality entrepreneurship.

Organisers, Mr. Hemant Kumar Sharma (Managing Director, AGSKI 360) and Col. S. S. Vaid (Director of Operations), expressed gratitude to Mr. Harish Kumar (Dean, School of Hotel Management) and Prof. (Dr.) Hemant Verma (Vice Chancellor, SGT University) for their invaluable support in making the event a success.

The Tastepreneur Grand Event concluded on a note of optimism, celebrating the achievements of established entrepreneurs while empowering the next generation of innovators with the tools, knowledge, and networks to succeed in India’s dynamic food and hospitality industry.


HollyBelly Launches ‘The Holly Elf Basket’ for a Joyful Christmas Gifting Season

HollyBelly Launches ‘The Holly Elf Basket’ for a Joyful Christmas Gifting Season

By Hariharan U

Published on December 17, 2025

This festive season, HollyBelly introduces The Holly Elf Basket, a thoughtfully curated Christmas hamper designed to bring warmth, joy, and a touch of holiday nostalgia to festive celebrations. Created as a celebration of togetherness and comfort, the basket captures the spirit of cosy Christmas moments through handcrafted gourmet treats.

The Holly Elf Basket reflects HollyBelly’s signature approach to food carefully made, emotionally connected, and rooted in festive tradition. Each element is designed to evoke the charm of a classic Christmas, making it an ideal gifting choice for families, friends, and corporate celebrations during the holiday season.

Priced at ₹5,500, the hamper offers a premium festive experience and is available through HollyBelly’s official website. With its focus on quality ingredients and thoughtful presentation, the basket serves as a meaningful alternative to conventional festive gifts.

Known for redefining gourmet catering and food solutions in India, HollyBelly continues to expand its offerings across curated gifting, bespoke events, and B2B culinary services. The brand operates with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and locally sourced ingredients, delivering end-to-end culinary experiences for corporates, cafés, retail brands, and government bodies.

Founded by Janeya Mehta, a Le Cordon Bleu and London School of Economics alumna and a Forbes 40 Under 40 honouree, HollyBelly is driven by the philosophy of “Food by Mood”, where menus are designed to reflect emotion and occasion. Co-founded by Rishikant Bharadwaj, Executive Chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu London, the brand blends French, British, and regional Indian techniques to deliver versatile, refined food experiences.

Trusted by global brands such as Facebook, Adidas, Sephora, BMW, Jimmy Choo, and Pernia’s Pop-Up, HollyBelly has become a preferred culinary partner across fashion, tech, and lifestyle sectors. With The Holly Elf Basket, the brand adds a festive chapter to its growing portfolio, offering a gift that feels personal, warm, and seasonally special.

Product: The Holly Elf Basket
Website: hollybellyfoodboutique.com

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