Taste of Brasil 2026, an international food and culinary initiative led by ApexBrasil, officially made its India debut on 18 February 2026 in New Delhi. The initiative will also be introduced in Mumbai on 23 February 2026, bringing Brazil’s premium food offerings closer to India’s rapidly expanding health and wellness market.

The New Delhi launch was attended by key dignitaries including Jorge Viana, President of ApexBrasil; Paulo Teixeira, Honourable Minister of Rural Development and Family Farming of Brazil; and Marcio Elias, Honourable Vice Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services of Brazil. The event also saw participation from industry stakeholders, importers, distributors, retailers, chefs, and members of the media.

Taste of Brasil 2026 focuses on building awareness, encouraging product trials, and strengthening trade and consumer engagement through immersive retail experiences and culinary storytelling. The campaign aims to create a deeper connection between Brazilian producers and Indian consumers by showcasing the quality, versatility, and story behind Brazilian food products.

Brazil, known for its vast biodiversity and fertile landscapes, produces some of the world’s most nutritious nuts, fruits, and superfoods. From the Amazon rainforest to tropical orchards, Brazilian foods are recognised for their taste, nutritional value, and suitability for modern, health-focused lifestyles.

The initiative highlights a carefully selected range of Brazilian products including Brazil Nuts, Brazil Nut Milk, Açaí Pulp, Açaí Powder, Tahiti Limes, and Exotic Frozen plant-based meals. These products reflect Brazil’s leadership in biodiversity-driven agriculture and its strong reputation for quality, safety, and sustainability on the global stage.

Ingredients such as Brazil nuts and açaí have gained international popularity for their health benefits and flexibility across cuisines. With Indian consumers increasingly leaning towards plant-based nutrition, functional foods, and global flavours, Brazilian products align naturally with evolving food preferences in the country.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Jorge Viana said, “India represents a dynamic and fast-growing market with a sophisticated and increasingly health-conscious consumer base. Through Taste of Brasil 2026, we are proud to present the diversity, quality, and sustainability of Brazilian food products. This initiative is not only about promoting exports; it is about building long-term partnerships, promoting sustainability and innovation in food, and strengthening the bridge between Brazilian producers and Indian consumers.”

Adding to this, José Mauro da Fonseca Costa Couto, Consul General of Brazil in Mumbai, remarked, “Brazil and India share strong diplomatic and economic relations rooted in mutual respect and cooperation. The launch of Taste of Brasil 2026 in both New Delhi and Mumbai reflects our commitment to deepening agri-food trade and enhancing people-to-people connections through culinary exchange. We see tremendous potential for collaboration across retail, hospitality, and food processing sectors.”

Looking ahead, ApexBrasil plans to further strengthen trade ties between Brazil and India by expanding market access, increasing retail presence, and encouraging culinary innovation. With rising demand for sustainable, plant-based, and globally inspired foods, Taste of Brasil 2026 lays the groundwork for long-term partnerships and a stronger Brazilian food presence in India.

UNOX, a leading Italian manufacturer of professional cooking equipment trusted by chefs and foodservice operators across more than 130 countries, marked an important step in its India expansion with the launch of the UNOX Lounge Kochi on February 25, 2026. The new lounge was inaugurated at Rising Loaf Academy of Baking and Pastry Arts, Palarivattom, Kochi, in collaboration with Savvy Kitchen Equipment, represented by its Partner, Mr. Ajith Prasad.

The launch further strengthens UNOX India’s footprint in South India, making its advanced cooking solutions more accessible to chefs, hoteliers, restaurateurs, bakers, and food entrepreneurs across Kerala and nearby markets. UNOX’s product portfolio includes intelligent combi ovens, high-speed ovens, and convection ovens, all designed to deliver precision, consistency, energy efficiency, and smooth kitchen operations.

The inauguration ceremony opened with an address by the UNOX India leadership team and was graced by Chief Guest Chef George K. George, Executive Committee member of the South India Chef Association (SICA), who officially unveiled the new experience centre.

Speaking at the launch, Vivek Mishra, Team Leader Sales, India, UNOX, said:

“The launch of the UNOX Lounge in Kochi is a proud moment for us and a strong step forward in our India expansion journey. South India has always been a vibrant and progressive food market. With this new lounge, we aim to provide chefs and food entrepreneurs with a dedicated platform to experience and test our cooking solutions firsthand, direct access to cutting-edge professional cooking technology that enhances efficiency, consistency, and sustainability in commercial kitchens. Our goal is not just to supply equipment, but to build long-term partnerships and empower culinary businesses to scale with confidence.”

Adding to this, Chief Guest Chef George K. George shared:

“Kochi and the larger South Indian culinary community are evolving rapidly, with growing demand for precision, innovation, and global standards in kitchen operations. The UNOX Lounge will serve as an important platform for chefs to experience advanced technology firsthand, learn, experiment, and elevate their craft. This initiative will certainly contribute to raising professional kitchen standards in the region.”

The event brought together hospitality leaders, bakery entrepreneurs, culinary professionals, and industry experts for an immersive showcase of technology and cooking innovation. Guests experienced live cooking demonstrations by the UNOX Corporate Chef team, featuring bakery and multi-cuisine preparations using flagship equipment such as the CHEFTOP-X and the CHEFTOP MIND. Maps PLUS commercial combi ovens. The sessions highlighted the precision, performance, and intelligent automation that define UNOX’s modern kitchen solutions.

In the spirit of Ramadan, the celebrations concluded with a special Iftar dinner, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere while demonstrating the versatility and efficiency of UNOX equipment in real-time service conditions.

With the launch of the UNOX Lounge in Kochi, UNOX India continues to reinforce its commitment to the Indian foodservice industry by delivering innovative, sustainable, and high-performance cooking solutions that support the evolving needs of professional kitchens.

India’s organised retail landscape is steadily moving beyond transactional shopping towards experience-driven destinations where dining, entertainment and social engagement take centre stage. In 2025, retail leasing across major cities touched approximately 8.9 million sq. ft., among the strongest performances in recent years. While fashion brands accounted for nearly 48% of leasing demand, food and beverage made up about 13% and entertainment close to 8%, underlining the growing weight of experiential formats. Across north India, several prominent malls and high streets reflect this transition.

Ambience Mall, located on NH-48 along the Delhi–Gurugram border, remains one of NCR’s largest retail destinations. Opened in 2007 and spanning nearly 1.8 million sq. ft., it houses over 200 outlets alongside multiplex and dining options, positioning itself as a combined retail and leisure hub. Similarly, Ambience Mall continues to anchor organised retail in south Delhi with its expansive brand mix, entertainment zones and established food offerings.

In west Delhi, Vegas Mall caters to a catchment of over one million residents, blending fashion retail with gaming zones and a multiplex to drive longer visits. Gurugram’s Reach 3Roads adopts an open-air, pedestrian-friendly high street design along the fast-growing SPR corridor, prioritising community interaction over enclosed formats.

Beyond NCR, CP67 integrates retail, office and entertainment in a mixed-use layout along Airport Road, reflecting tier-two market ambitions. In new residential belts of Gurugram, Felix Plaza is planned with over 150 outlets and leisure zones, while SPJ Vedatam introduces organised retail infrastructure into the dense Old Gurugram neighbourhood.

Collectively, these projects underline how India’s malls are increasingly designed as lifestyle ecosystems where visitors come not only to shop, but to dine, socialise and spend time