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.


The Orchid Chandigarh Celebrates Rakshabandhan with South Indian Festive Feast

The Orchid Chandigarh Celebrates Rakshabandhan with South Indian Festive Feast

By Hariharan U

Published on August 23, 2026

The Orchid Chandigarh is inviting guests to celebrate Rakshabandhan with an authentic South Indian festive dining experience at South of Vindhyas on August 28, bringing together regional flavours, family traditions and warm hospitality.

The specially curated experience is designed for families looking to mark the occasion over a festive meal, with a menu inspired by the rich culinary traditions of South India.

Guests can choose between thoughtfully curated vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, featuring classic South Indian delicacies prepared using authentic recipes and time-honoured cooking techniques. The menus are designed to offer a wholesome dining experience while showcasing the distinctive flavours of the region.

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Whether celebrating the bond between siblings, gathering with family or simply enjoying a festive meal, the Rakshabandhan offering at South of Vindhyas provides an opportunity to mark the occasion through food and togetherness.

The experience reflects the restaurant’s focus on bringing authentic regional cuisine to Chandigarh while creating memorable occasions for guests. With traditional flavours and the hospitality associated with The Orchid Chandigarh, the festive meal aims to make Rakshabandhan a special culinary celebration.

Event Details:

What: Rakshabandhan Festive Meal
Venue: South of Vindhyas, The Orchid Chandigarh
Date: August 28, 2026
Contact: +91 9056784618 / +91 9056784619 / +91 9056784617


Opus at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai Brings Chinese Hot-Pot Experience This August

Opus at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai Brings Chinese Hot-Pot Experience This August

By Hariharan U

Published on August 22, 2026

This August, Opus at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai is bringing a warm and comforting Chinese dining experience to the city with Hot-Pot: The Comfort of Togetherness, running from 17–30 August.

The experience offers guests a choice of three broths, Sichuan, Asian Mushroom and Tomato Stock. These can be paired with a selection of vegetables, meats, seafood and noodles, giving diners the option to build a hot-pot meal to their liking.

Designed for sharing, the experience is well suited for Mumbai's monsoon season and offers a relaxed way to enjoy a meal with family and friends.

With its focus on warm broths, fresh ingredients and a shared dining format, Hot-Pot: The Comfort of Togetherness adds a seasonal option to Mumbai's August dining scene


Harajuku Bakehouse Brings Sweet Japanese Inspired Treats for Rakhi

Harajuku Bakehouse Brings Sweet Japanese Inspired Treats for Rakhi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 22, 2026

Rakhi gifting gets a sweeter and more playful touch this year with Harajuku Bakehouse at BKC, offering Japanese-inspired desserts that make for a fun surprise for siblings with a sweet tooth.

Known for its kawaii Japanese-inspired look, colourful bakes and picture-perfect treats, Harajuku Bakehouse brings together desserts that can be enjoyed as gifts or shared during a sibling outing.

For those looking to try something different, the menu features Bento Cakes in chocolate, vanilla and rainbow flavours, along with the soft and jiggly Japanese Cotton Cheesecake and the eye-catching Mt. Fuji Tiramisu.

Smaller treats are also available, including Nutella Dorayaki and Japanese Nama Chocolate Fudge Brownies, offering easy gifting options for siblings who enjoy trying new desserts.

The experience goes beyond desserts, with Harajuku Bakehouse also offering a selection of matcha, hojicha and boba drinks. Guests can choose from Iced Strawberry Matcha, Hojicha Lattes, Tiger Brown Sugar Milk Tea and Iced Boba Matcha, making it easy to turn a Rakhi dessert stop into a complete sibling date.

With its colourful setting and playful presentation, Harajuku Bakehouse offers a different take on Rakhi gifting. Whether it is a cute cake to share or a selection of desserts and drinks to explore together, the Bakehouse gives siblings another reason to spend time together this Rakhi.

This Rakhi, instead of going with the usual mithai or chocolates, siblings can explore Harajuku Bakehouse’s Japanese-inspired desserts and add something new and sweet to the celebrations.

Rakhi Gifting Details:

  • What: Rakshabandhan Dessert Gifting from Harajuku Bakehouse
  • Where: Harajuku Bakehouse, BKC, Mumbai
  • When: Available now | 10 AM - 10 PM.

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