Godrej's Food Trends: A Sweet Mix of Tradition and Innovation

Godrej's Food Trends: A Sweet Mix of Tradition and Innovation

By Author

Published on December 13, 2023

As the festive season of Christmas and New Year approaches, Godrej's Food Trends Report has highlighted a significant culinary shift in India. Once considered occasional treats, cakes and pastries are now integral to the nation's festive traditions, reflecting the evolving palate of Indian consumers. This transformation is attributed to the innovative efforts of skilled bakers across the country.

The report points out a notable trend: the growing passion among Indian home cooks to experiment with baking pastries and cakes. This enthusiasm for hands-on baking experiences shows an eagerness to blend global tastes with traditional flavors, leading to an expansive variety of homemade bakes.

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Key Trends in Indian Pastry and Cake Making

Southeast Asian Bakes:

The report notes that about 88% of culinary experts see bakeries as vital to local food ecosystems. India's diverse baking communities, from the kandurs in Kashmir to the paowallas in Mumbai, are contributing to a rich tapestry of local and international baked goods.

Turkish / Middle Eastern Delights:

Another 88% of experts agree on the growing popularity of Middle Eastern-inspired pastries like Baklava and Kunefe. These intricate flavors that mix sweet, spicy, and umami notes are becoming favorites among Indian consumers.

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European Influences:

About 75% of the panelists believe that European and American baking traditions are influencing the Indian baking industry, leading to innovation and the evolution of classic offerings.

The Godrej Foods Perspective: Embracing Global Influences

Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, managing director of the Godrej Foods Trends Report, remarks on this culinary evolution. "In India, festivals and special occasions have always been marked with sweet delicacies. With Christmas around the corner, we're seeing a delightful blend of traditional and global influences in pastries and cakes. Post-COVID, home chefs are particularly innovative, introducing a range of flavors into their baked creations," she says. This trend indicates a stronger tradition of enjoying cakes and pastries during festive times than ever before.


Om Sweets Brings Its Signature Mithai and Vegetarian Food Experience to Golf Course Road

Om Sweets Brings Its Signature Mithai and Vegetarian Food Experience to Golf Course Road

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 7, 2026

Om Sweets has introduced its premium retail concept on Golf Course Road, Gurugram, expanding its presence in one of the city's prominent commercial and residential destinations. The new outlet brings together the brand's traditional Indian mithai, savouries and vegetarian food offerings in a contemporary setting.

The outlet caters to customers looking for everyday dining, festive purchases and gifting options under one roof. Beyond its range of Indian sweets, Om Sweets offers savoury preparations and a wider selection of vegetarian food, making it a destination for different occasions and dining preferences.

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The new retail format reflects the changing expectations of urban consumers, who increasingly look for quality, variety and thoughtful presentation alongside familiar flavours. While the outlet offers a contemporary environment, it retains the traditional appeal that has shaped the brand's identity. Its Golf Course Road location also improves accessibility for residents and professionals in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Om Sweets' journey began in the early 1940s, when Shri Hari Chand Kathuria Ji started a family sweets business. Following Partition, the family rebuilt its business in India. In 1960, Shri Om Prakash Kathuria Ji established a shop in Arjun Nagar, Gurugram, laying the foundation for the brand's growth. Over the years, the business expanded its offerings and customer base, developing into an established food brand with a presence across Gurugram, Faridabad, Delhi, Sohna and Palwal.

Commenting on the launch, a spokesperson for Om Sweets said, “At Om Sweets, our focus has always been on serving food that people can associate with their everyday lives and special occasions. Mithai remains an important part of what we do, but our offering today extends to savouries and a wider range of vegetarian food. With our Golf Course Road outlet, we are bringing this variety to customers in a contemporary setting, making it convenient for them to explore our offerings for different occasions while continuing to enjoy the flavours they know and trust.”

With this launch, Om Sweets continues to expand its retail presence and introduce its broader food portfolio to a new customer base. The outlet brings together the brand's established culinary offerings and evolving retail format, catering to everyday meals, celebrations and gifting occasions.


Wendy's India Launches Five Global Burger Flavours Under 'The Great Burger Scam'

Wendy's India Launches Five Global Burger Flavours Under 'The Great Burger Scam'

By Hariharan U

Published on November 7, 2026

Wendy's India has introduced five globally inspired burger flavours under its new campaign, 'The Great Burger Scam', with prices starting at ₹59. Launched in November 2026, the range brings international flavour profiles to the value burger segment, offering both vegetarian and chicken options priced between ₹59 and ₹99.

The new selection features five flavours: Chipotle, Chimichurri, Korean, Teriyaki and Makhani. The range combines smoky, herbaceous, sweet and savoury profiles with a familiar Indian-inspired option, giving customers a wider choice beyond conventional value burger offerings.

The campaign plays on the idea of a 'scam' by presenting a range of distinct flavour experiences at prices that may seem unexpectedly affordable. Wendy's positions the launch as an effort to challenge the perception that lower-priced burgers need to offer limited variety.

Commenting on the campaign, Mohit Mahajan, AVP – Marketing, Rebel Foods, said, "Consumers today are looking for more than just a good deal. They want variety, exciting flavours and experiences that feel worth trying. With 'The Great Burger Scam', we wanted to turn the usual value burger narrative on its head. Five distinct flavours, globally inspired choices and prices starting at ₹59, it almost sounds too good to be true! Through this campaign, we want to make flavour exploration accessible to everyone while bringing a little fun and surprise to the everyday burger experience."

The launch targets consumers, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, who are interested in exploring new food options while keeping spending in check. By bringing flavours associated with different cuisines into an affordable format, Wendy's aims to make experimentation more accessible to everyday burger customers.

The campaign also adds to the brand's efforts to differentiate its offering in India's competitive quick-service restaurant market, where value pricing and menu variety remain important considerations for consumers.

The new burgers are available at Wendy's India dine-in restaurants and through online delivery platforms.


Sayaji Hotel Vadodara Celebrates Indian Traditions with Mithaas by Sayaji

Sayaji Hotel Vadodara Celebrates Indian Traditions with Mithaas by Sayaji

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 6, 2026

Sayaji Hotel Vadodara celebrated Indian culture and culinary heritage with a traditional Laddoo Mixing Ceremony under its special initiative, ‘Mithaas by Sayaji’. The event brought guests together for a shared culinary experience, highlighting the values of tradition, togetherness and community bonding.

Conceptualised by the hotel's Marketing Team, Mithaas by Sayaji aims to celebrate traditional Indian practices through meaningful guest experiences. The Laddoo Mixing Ceremony reflected the cultural significance of preparing sweets together, symbolising happiness, prosperity, sharing and togetherness.

The evening began with a welcome address by Anand Mishra, Unit Head, Sayaji Hotel Vadodara, followed by the Laddoo Mixing Ceremony, in which guests actively participated. The activity brought together different ingredients to create a traditional sweet, reflecting how shared experiences can build connections and create lasting memories.

Speaking on the occasion,  Anand Mishra, Unit Head, Sayaji Hotel Vadodara, said, “Indian traditions are deeply rooted in togetherness, sharing and celebrating life’s special moments with one another. Through Mithaas by Sayaji, we wanted to bring these values to life by creating an experience where our guests could actively participate in a traditional culinary practice. The Laddoo Mixing Ceremony is a beautiful reminder of how simple traditions can create lasting memories and strengthen connections. At Sayaji, we believe hospitality goes beyond providing exceptional service; it is also about creating meaningful experiences that make every guest feel connected and valued.”

The ceremony was followed by a traditional Diya Lighting Ceremony, symbolising positivity, prosperity, hope and new beginnings. The celebration concluded with a specially curated High Tea experience and the distribution of festive hampers to guests as tokens of appreciation.

The event was supported by the Sayaji Hotel Vadodara team under the guidance of Anand Mishra, with contributions from Mandeep Singh Saluja, Food & Beverage Manager; Chef Mahtab Raza Ansari, Executive Chef; and the hotel's management, culinary, marketing and operational teams.

Through Mithaas by Sayaji, the hotel continues to celebrate India's cultural and culinary heritage by bringing people together through traditional practices. The initiative reflects its focus on creating guest experiences that go beyond conventional hospitality and offer opportunities to connect, share and make memories.

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