Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Radiance: Lanterns and Mooncakes

Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Radiance: Lanterns and Mooncakes

By Author

Published on October 6, 2023

Hong Kong lights up with excitement every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This cherished celebration, also known as the Mooncake Festival, brings families together to enjoy age-old traditions and create new memories under the full moon.

A Festival of Gratitude and Unity

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in September or October. Hong Kongers use this time to express gratitude for the harvest and pray for luck. Families eagerly reunite after time spent apart, making it a special occasion.

Mooncakes: A Symbol of Unity

Mooncakes are the festival's stars. These round pastries symbolize unity and are typically filled with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk. Over time, innovative flavors like ice-cream mooncakes and snow skin mooncakes have emerged.

Lanterns That Illuminate the Night

Traditional paper lanterns add to the festival's charm. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be found in parks, streets, and along the waterfront. Some lanterns even feature modern LED lights, creating mesmerizing displays.

The Fire Dragon Dance: A Dazzling Tradition

Hong Kong boasts a unique tradition—the Fire Dragon Dance. This captivating dance, over a century old, features a 200-foot-long dragon adorned with thousands of burning sticks of incense. It's a vivid display of culture and heritage.

Moon Gazing and Lantern Riddles

The full moon serves as a backdrop for moon gazing, a time for reflection and inspiration. Families and friends often gather at parks like Victoria Park to enjoy this serene moment. Lantern riddles, attached to colorful lanterns, challenge participants with their wisdom and good fortune messages.

Delightful Mid-Autumn Delicacies

The festival is incomplete without indulging in mooncakes, but it's also a time for enjoying fruits with auspicious meanings. Star fruit and pomelo are popular choices. Families often end their reunion meals with glutinous rice balls, symbolizing togetherness.

Celebrating Resilience and Unity

In recent years, the festival has taken on new significance, symbolizing resilience and unity, particularly after the challenges posed by the pandemic. It's a testament to Hong Kong's unwavering spirit.

As the lanterns light up the city and families come together, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong continues to be a cherished tradition—a time to express gratitude, celebrate unity, and look to the bright future under the moon's gentle glow.

Image Source - Hong Kong Tourism Board


HollyBelly Steps Into Retail with New Partnership with DLF Hospitality and Max Estates

HollyBelly Steps Into Retail with New Partnership with DLF Hospitality and Max Estates

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 9, 2025

HollyBelly has forayed into the retail space through a new partnership with DLF Hospitality and Max Estates, marking a major step forward for the brand. Known for its handcrafted foods and thoughtful culinary creations, HollyBelly now aims to bring its signature flavours closer to everyday consumers. The new retail space will showcase an elegant selection of products, including small-batch sauces, condiments, freshly baked items, and globally inspired delicacies.

Over the years, HollyBelly has grown into a Pan-India and global food and beverage brand offering a complete set of culinary solutions. From gourmet catering and curated gifting to B2B meal services, consulting, and modern event spaces, the brand has built a strong reputation for blending emotion, elegance, and expertise. Its philosophy is deeply rooted in the “Food by Mood” concept, where menus are crafted to reflect moments and experiences.

Drawing from French, British, and regional Indian techniques, HollyBelly brings both authenticity and adaptability to its offerings. The brand goes beyond the typical idea of a catering service, providing specialised B2B food solutions tailored for businesses across industries. This includes corporate food services, café and restaurant supply, artisanal bread and viennoiserie production, bulk meal preparation, custom menu development, and retail-ready product creation and packaging.

With convenient pick-up points and a menu inspired by Indian traditions, HollyBelly offers handcrafted bowls, sandwiches, smoothies, and coffee designed for consumers who seek quality without compromising convenience. The brand positions itself where tradition meets speed while maintaining freshness and flavour.

The company is led by founders with strong global influence. Founder Janeya Mehta, an alumnus of the London School of Economics and a trained classical dancer, brings a deep focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing. Her leadership has shaped HollyBelly’s vision, earning her recognition including a Forbes 40 Under 40 honour. Co-Founder and Executive Chef Rishikant Bharadwaj, trained at Le Cordon Bleu London, brings modern French and British culinary techniques to the brand. His experience spans leading kitchens in Australia and well-known Indian establishments such as Le Bistro du Parc and ATM.

With a growing presence across India and international collaborations, HollyBelly has become a trusted partner for some of the world’s leading brands. Its client list includes Facebook, Adidas, Sephora, Ritu Kumar, Coach, BMW, Jimmy Choo, Pernia’s Pop-Up, and others. Sustainability remains a key pillar, reflected in their commitment to eco-friendly menus, waste reduction, and sourcing local ingredients.

Through its entry into retail, HollyBelly continues to expand its vision of offering complete, end-to-end culinary experiences while staying rooted in thoughtful food, innovative techniques, and modern consumer needs.


The Golden Tusk Announces Christmas Weekend & New Year Nature Carnival 2025

The Golden Tusk Announces Christmas Weekend & New Year Nature Carnival 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 9, 2025

The Golden Tusk, an experiential and family-friendly nature resort on the southern boundary of Jim Corbett National Park, has announced its festive holiday line-up for the year-end season. The resort will host its Christmas Weekend Celebration from 23 to 26 December and the signature New Year Nature Carnival from 30 December to 1 January, offering one of the region’s most engaging nature-meets-luxury holiday experiences.

The three-day Christmas program has been curated to bring a nostalgic and warm festive feel. Guests can start their day with mindful village walks and yoga sessions, while children can enjoy a range of creative workshops such as pebble painting, origami, craft activities using waste materials and Christmas-themed art sessions. Evenings carry a cosy, celebratory atmosphere with bonfires, live flautists, duo bands and elaborate buffet spreads at The Golden Forest restaurant. Christmas Eve brings special moments with Santa’s arrival, carols, plum cake distribution and a lively round of Tambola, creating a beautiful community-style celebration.

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Anirudh Lakhotia, Director, Ivory Destinations, said “This year, we wanted to deliver more than a holiday, we wanted to create moments that feel grounding, joyful and truly memorable. Every element of our Christmas and New Year programs is designed to bring families closer to nature and closer to each other. From sunrise walks and plantation drives to gala dinners and musical nights; these retreats offer a refreshing blend of relaxation and celebration.”

The New Year Nature Carnival brings a more vibrant and energetic itinerary. Guests can enjoy unplugged live band performances, intimate guitarist evenings, magic shows for children, mocktail-making sessions and a traditional Folk Dance performance on 1 January. The highlight remains the Family Fun Carnival on the main lawn, followed by a Gala Dinner and Musical Night at The Hive. The New Year countdown and the annual raffle, where one guest wins a complimentary holiday package for 2026, add to the festive excitement.

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Accommodation options include Garden Suites, Nature View Suites, Luxury Tents, Pool View Suites, Corbett Suites, Private Pool Villas and the spacious Tiger Suite for larger groups. Christmas packages and New Year packages are offered across categories, including premium options such as the Jungle Spring Villa with a private jacuzzi and the Waterhole Villa with a private pool.

Staying true to its nature-first philosophy, The Golden Tusk has woven eco-learning and mindful bonding into its festive programs. Children can participate in plantation drives, craft sessions and guided games, while adults can relax among landscaped greens, bonfires and warm hospitality, elements that have made the resort a preferred choice for many returning guests.

Located close to the Jhirna and Dhela safari zones, the resort continues to promote holidays that combine the calmness of nature with modern comforts. With rising demand for the 2025 festive season, The Golden Tusk is positioning its holiday retreats as an ideal year-end escape for families and leisure travellers seeking meaningful experiences.

Each New Year package includes eight premium-brand alcoholic drink coupons, unlimited soft beverages, chef’s-choice snacks during evening programs, complimentary carnival coupons and complete entertainment over the two nights. All stays include breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets featuring regional and multi-cuisine menus. The child policy remains family-friendly, with complimentary stays for children up to five years, while ages 6–11 are charged at 25% and ages 12+ at 35% of the package.


IBCA Announces Scholarships Worth ₹1 Lakh for Aspiring Chefs in 2026

IBCA Announces Scholarships Worth ₹1 Lakh for Aspiring Chefs in 2026

By Hariharan U

Published on December 9, 2025

The Institute of Bakery & Culinary Arts (IBCA), a leading centre for bakery and culinary education in India, has announced scholarships worth ₹1,00,000 for students enrolling in its programs for 2026. The initiative aims to support over 400 aspiring chefs from across the country, helping them pursue diploma and certification courses in the culinary field.

The scholarship amount ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000, depending on the course and eligibility criteria. Through this programme, IBCA aims to make professional culinary education more accessible to passionate learners.

IBCA offers a wide selection of industry-aligned programs that meet global standards. The courses include an 18-month Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts (Level 3), 18-month Advanced Diploma in Pastry (Level 3), 12-month Diploma in Culinary Arts (Level 2), 12-month Diploma in Pastry Arts (Level 2), a four-month Certificate Course in Pastry (Level 1), along with specialised hobby programs in both culinary and pastry arts. Each course follows an international curriculum and focuses on strong practical exposure.

The institute is affiliated with globally recognised organisations, including City & Guilds (UK), the Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality (London), the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (India) and the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC). With these partnerships, students gain access to structured training, certification and placement opportunities with leading hotels and restaurants. Final placements are offered after rigorous trials and interviews.

Through this scholarship initiative, IBCA further strengthens its commitment to building future culinary talent and ensuring that deserving candidates can access world-class training.

Last Date to Apply: 25th December 2025

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