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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on March 14, 2025
Culinary Culture’s Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is back in 2025, bringing a bigger and bolder edition that expands across more cities. After its groundbreaking debut in 2024, this highly respected rating system continues to redefine India’s culinary landscape, setting new benchmarks for unbiased restaurant evaluations.
The Ultimate Star Revelation Ceremony will take place in Bengaluru on 15 March 2025, unveiling the finest dining destinations across the country. With rankings extending to four new cities—Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kochi, and Amritsar—this year’s ratings promise a truly pan-India perspective.
Culinary Culture’s Ultimate Restaurant Ratings stand apart as India’s only evaluation system based purely on merit, free from sponsorships or external influence. The process ensures transparency, with results remaining confidential until the official ceremony.
Last year, three restaurants earned the coveted 5 Ultimate Stars:
Farmlore, Bengaluru
Avartana, Chennai
Indian Accent, New Delhi
This elite distinction places them at the pinnacle of India’s dining scene, setting the standard for excellence.
Vir Sanghvi, Chairman of Culinary Culture, highlights the significance of this initiative: “At Culinary Culture, we have always led initiatives that shape India’s F&B industry. From celebrating street food to ranking chefs, our mission remains the same—to honor excellence with honesty and transparency. The Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is another game-changing first for India.”
The rating system follows a three-tier structure:
3 Stars: Very Good
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: The Ultimate
Unlike conventional awards influenced by sponsorships, Culinary Culture’s system maintains integrity through anonymous inspections conducted by full-time referees. Restaurants are evaluated through a meticulous process involving nominations, anonymous screenings, debates, and a final selection phase. The platform remains independent and does not accept fees from restaurants for inclusion.
More Cities, More Diversity: Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kochi, and Amritsar join the list, bringing regional culinary gems into the spotlight.
Special Awards: Categories include Iconic Restaurant, Restaurant Manager, Sustainability, Opening of the Year, and Mixologist of the Year.
A Grand Celebration in Bengaluru: Top restaurateurs, chefs, and industry leaders will gather for this prestigious event.
Increased Coverage: Nearly 100 restaurants will be recognized, doubling last year’s coverage and strengthening India’s global culinary presence.
Raaj Sanghvi, CEO of Culinary Culture, shares: “The response to last year’s ratings was overwhelming. Diners now recognize our plaques as a symbol of trust. Our ratings remain dynamic—restaurants are re-evaluated regularly, ensuring credibility. We thank our partners, Lavazza and Diageo, for their unwavering support.”
The Ultimate Restaurant Ratings is backed by brands that share its commitment to advancing India’s culinary industry, including Lavazza, Johnnie Walker, Veeba, Bisleri Vedica, and Newby Tea.
Co-founded by Vir Sanghvi and Sameer Sain, Culinary Culture is India’s leading authority in food evaluation. The platform is renowned for its restaurant ratings, chef awards, and street food rankings. Beyond ratings, it hosts global culinary exchanges, bringing celebrated international chefs to India while showcasing Indian talent on the global stage. Culinary Culture also leads several initiatives, including FoodSuperstars, Culinary Conversations, and StreetFoodSuperstars, shaping the future of India’s gastronomic landscape.
Visit Culinary Culture’s website: www.CulinaryCulture.co
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Published on December 1, 2025
Hilton has strengthened its footprint in Bengaluru with the launch of Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Whitefield, adding another key property to its expanding India portfolio. This opening marks the group’s seventh hotel in the city and reflects its commitment to building a strong multi-brand presence in South India.
Developed in partnership with Minerva Executive Apartment Private Limited, the hotel sits in the centre of Whitefield, a major business and technology hub that houses multinational companies, IT parks, shopping zones, and popular dining spaces. With 223 rooms, the property is designed for both corporate and leisure travellers who prefer convenience and modern comfort. Its location also offers quick connectivity to well-known business districts such as International Tech Park, Prestige Shantiniketan, and the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP).
Speaking about the launch, Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, South Asia, Hilton, said, “Bengaluru continues to be one of Hilton’s strongest growth markets in South Asia, driven by its thriving technology sector and expanding business travel demand. The opening of Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Whitefield reflects our deep commitment to this city, where we will extend Hilton’s signature hospitality to the heart of the city’s tech corridor, offering guests a modern stay experience backed by Hilton’s trusted hospitality.”
The hotel offers thoughtfully designed guest rooms balancing style and functionality. Guests can choose from three dining venues, an all-day dining restaurant serving a mix of international and local favourites, a vibrant bar perfect for casual conversations, and a warm lobby lounge for informal catch-ups. The property also provides 7,000 square feet of event and meeting space, a fully equipped fitness centre, and an outdoor swimming pool that is scheduled to open by March 2026.
Jenny Milos, Vice President, Brand Management, Suites & Focused Service, Asia Pacific, Hilton, added, “As one of Hilton’s fastest-growing brands, Hilton Garden Inn is designed for today’s discerning travellers who seek a comfortable, high-quality stay that delivers exceptional value. With its thoughtful design, modern amenities and Brighthearted hospitality, Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Whitefield is set to strengthen the brand’s presence in the vibrant Bengaluru region.”
Sharing his thoughts, Samir Shah, Director, Minerva Executive Apartment Private Limited, said, “Whitefield sits at the heart of Bengaluru’s thriving tech and commercial ecosystem, and with growing demand for quality accommodation, we are pleased to once again partner with a globally trusted brand like Hilton. Combining Hilton’s global expertise with our local knowledge, we are confident that Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Whitefield will set new benchmarks for hospitality in the area.”
Hilton currently manages nearly 100 trading and pipeline properties across South Asia, with over 70 in India. The company’s long-term plan aims to grow its presence to 300 trading hotels in the coming decade. Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Whitefield joins the brand’s expanding network in cities such as Pune, Lucknow, Delhi, Trivandrum, Surat, Jabalpur, and Mumbai. The hotel also participates in Hilton Honors, Hilton’s award-winning guest loyalty programme.
Published on November 30, 2025
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has been officially certified as a Great Place To Work, reinforcing its standing as one of India’s most respected hospitality brands and a preferred employer. The certification, awarded by Great Place To Work, is based entirely on employee feedback and a thorough evaluation of an organisation’s culture, trust index and people practices.
The Great Place To Work Certification is given to organisations that achieve at least 70 percent positive responses on the Trust Index survey, which measures credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. With insights gathered from more than 100 million employees across 150 countries, Great Place To Work is considered the global benchmark for recognising exceptional workplace cultures.
At The Leela, an associate-first approach continues to guide the brand’s growth. The organisation has built a strong and future-ready talent ecosystem focused on continuous learning, leadership development and overall well-being. Associates benefit from structured career pathways, digital learning opportunities, capability-building programmes and a culture of appreciation that encourages belonging and purpose. The Leela’s values are reflected in everyday actions, creating an environment where associates experience genuine care, trust and a shared commitment to excellence.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful because it comes directly from our associates, the people who bring The Leela's philosophy and promise to life every day. We are guided by The Leela Dharmas and our brand ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava - Guest is God, which shape a culture rooted in authenticity, care and excellence. As we approach The Leela's fortieth year, this certification is a reminder that our people remain our greatest strength and the foundation on which our future will continue to be built," said Mr. Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.
Sharing her thoughts on the milestone, Ms. Isha Goyal, Senior Vice President and Head – Human Resources, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said, "Being certified as a Great Place To Work is an important affirmation of the trust our associates place in this organisation. It validates our continued focus on strengthening culture, building leadership capability and creating an environment where every individual feels valued, supported and encouraged to grow. Our commitment remains to enable our people to thrive while contributing meaningfully to The Leela's journey ahead."
As The Leela moves toward its fortieth year, this recognition marks an important step in its ongoing journey to build a workplace defined by trust, belonging, purpose and high performance. It further strengthens the brand’s commitment to nurturing a culture that attracts talent, inspires excellence and continues to set high standards in Indian luxury hospitality.
Lords Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its presence in Jamnagar with the launch of Lords Studio Inn Jamnagar, now the brand’s third hotel in the city. With this addition, the group now operates 25 properties across Gujarat, showing its steady growth and its commitment to offering warm and reliable hospitality in the state.
Located in the heart of Jamnagar, the new property features 36 well-designed rooms that focus on comfort and ease for travellers visiting for work or leisure. The hotel also introduces Blue Coriander, its all-day dining restaurant that serves a lively spread of Indian and international cuisines. Known for its wholesome vegetarian dishes, the restaurant provides a relaxed and welcoming space for families, professionals and travellers alike.
Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Pushpendra Bansal, COO, Lords Hotels and Resorts, said, “We are delighted to introduce Lords Studio Inn at Jamnagar. This new hotel reflects our vision delivering our signature True Value Hospitality across key commercial cities. We look forward to welcoming guests to an exhilarating and memorable stay.”
Adding to this, Sudhir Jena, vice president corporate, mentioned, “This property is conveniently located just 4km from the Railway station, and a short drive of 15 minutes from the Airport offers an easy access to the key places of interest, including Lakhota Palace, Museum and Pratap Vilas Palace, both located just 2km away. We are ready to delight our guests and offer them an experience defined by quality, convenience, and the trusted warmth of the Lords hospitality.”
With its thoughtful location, comfortable rooms and inviting dining experience, Lords Studio Inn Jamnagar aims to provide guests with a pleasant and memorable stay in the city.
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