Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar, in partnership with the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kolkata, is bringing the vibrant flavours of Thailand to Odisha through the Thai Food Festival 2025. Running from April 16 to 20, the festival marks a special celebration of Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year, and offers an authentic culinary journey at Sweet Basil, Lyfe Hotels’ much-loved Thai restaurant.

The event is headlined by Chef Sara Panisara, a Thai expat and culinary expert whose dishes are known for preserving the deep-rooted traditions of Thai cooking while infusing them with a modern flair. Sweet Basil has already made a name for itself in Bhubaneswar for offering genuine Thai experiences, and this festival further reinforces its growing reputation in the F&B scene.

The festival officially opens on April 16 at 7:00 PM at Jade, Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar. The grand evening will feature warm welcomes from Ms. Siriporn Tantipanyathep, Consul General of Thailand in Kolkata, and Ms. Sonal Sahoo, Director and Co-founder of Lyfe Hotels. Guests can expect a thoughtfully curated multi-course Thai dinner created by Chef Sara, celebrating both Thai traditions and fresh culinary innovation.

The menu includes:

• Appetizers: Watermelon Salad Yam Tang Mo, Papaya Salad Som Tum

• Soups: Tom Yum Kung, Tom Kha Kung

• Main Courses: Pad Thai, Green Curry Chicken, Pineapple Fried Rice Khao Op Sapparod

• Desserts: Siam Cha Da Alaska Ice Cream, Siam Pudding with Coconut Milk

Speaking on the occasion, Dhiman Mazumdar, Chief Operating Officer of Lyfe Hotels and Resorts, and Sonal Sahoo, Director and Co-founder, shared, “Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar is committed to bringing extraordinary and diverse F&B experiences to the city. The Thai Food Festival is a proud manifestation of that vision. In partnership with the Royal Thai Consulate-General, we are thrilled to offer Bhubaneswar an exclusive opportunity to experience the authentic tastes of Thailand, right here at Sweet Basil.”

With a unique blend of culture, collaboration, and culinary expertise, the Thai Food Festival 2025 stands out as a landmark event for Bhubaneswar’s dining scene. It not only showcases Lyfe Hotels’ commitment to exceptional gastronomy but also reinforces its role in fostering global cultural connections.

Shilton Hospitality, a leading hospitality company, is proud to announce that its premier catering division, 22 Catering, has reached a significant milestone of catering for over 500 events and serving 1 million people in just three years since its inception in 2022.

22 Catering is Shilton Hospitality's bespoke catering service, specializing in corporate events, private celebrations, and luxury weddings. With a team of expert chefs and trained service professionals, 22 Catering delivers exceptional guest experiences through customized menus, impeccable service, and attention to detail.

Backed by a team of experts, 22 Catering continues to set a new benchmark in the catering space, delivering memorable, high-quality dining experiences that delight every guest.

"We're thrilled to have reached this milestone and grateful to our clients for trusting us with their special events," said Vishal Wadhwa, Director of Shilton Hospitality. "Our team has worked tirelessly to deliver exceptional experiences, and we're proud of what we've achieved."

"As we look to the future, we're excited to continue innovating and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of catering," added Vishal Wadhwa. "We're committed to staying ahead of the curve and delivering experiences that exceed our clients' expectations."

Shilton Hospitality is a leading hospitality company, with brands like Watson's, Shilton Hotels, and Fireflies under its umbrella. Shilton Hospitality recently launched the Shilton International hotel in Kochi and Shilton DeeCee in Chennai. 22 Catering has been catering for high-profile events since 2022.

India's snacking landscape is experiencing a complete overhaul. What was once dominated by deep-fried, maida-laden goodies is now transforming into a space where indulgence meets health led by baked, air-fried, and maida-free snacks.

The growing awareness of lifestyle diseases, particularly among younger consumers, is one of the major drivers of this change. Indian snackers today are more informed, label-conscious, and seek healthier alternatives without compromising on taste. This shift has fueled a wave of new-age snack brands offering millet-based, protein-rich, baked, and air-fried products that resonate with a health-conscious mindset.

One such innovator leading this movement is Manish Sharma, Co-founder of Karigari, who introduced the no-maida chaap concept to the Indian food industry. Known for redefining traditional favourites with a healthy twist, Karigari has become a name associated with clean indulgence.

"We wanted to prove that street-style favourites can be made guilt-free," says Sharma. "Our maida-free chaap is not only a first in the category but also a step towards making protein-rich snacking more accessible and healthier."

"Consumers no longer feel guilty about reaching for a snack," adds another entrepreneur featured in the clip. "Now, it's all about ingredients, not just flavors. No maida, baked not fried, and air-fried foods are no longer just buzzwords—they've become basic expectations."

This transformation is also visible in India's hospitality and food service sectors. Cafés, cloud kitchens, and even high-end dining restaurants are updating their menus to include cleaner snacking options. Healthier chip alternatives, quinoa puffs, ragi cookies, and air-fried chaknas are finding their way onto shelves across both retail and digital platforms.

The pandemic further accelerated this wellness-driven wave. Urban millennials and Gen Z consumers began prioritizing immune health, gut health, and sustainable consumption. As a result, brands are now embracing ancient grains like millet and amaranth, eliminating refined flour, and adopting low-oil cooking methods.

According to market analysts, baked snacks are poised for double-digit growth in the coming years. With government initiatives like the International Year of Millets also promoting these ingredients, India's healthy snacking ecosystem is expanding across sourcing, innovation, and consumer adoption.

Today, Indian snacking is no longer a one-size-fits-all culture. From gluten-free khakhras to air-popped makhanas, consumers now enjoy a wide array of options that are just as nutritious as they are delicious.

About Manish Sharma: With over 17 years of experience in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, Manish Sharma has built a reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking industry leader. As the COO and Managing Director of Futomic Group, Manish has been instrumental in driving the company's success through innovation, operational excellence, and strategic expansion.

Flagship brands under his leadership include Karigari Ek-Ehasas (By Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi), Dutchman Port (Pirate-Themed Café & Bar), and Rasam Foods (Multi-Brand Venture). His customer-first philosophy, commitment to quality, and focus on sustainability have inspired many brands to rethink their approach to food innovation and ethical business practices.