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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 July 14, 2026
As monsoon travel continues to gain popularity among Indian travellers, WelcomHeritage has introduced a special Monsoon Offer across its collection of heritage properties in some of North India's most scenic destinations. The limited-period offer is designed for those looking to enjoy cooler weather, green landscapes and quieter getaways during the rainy season.
Traditionally known for summer vacations and winter holidays, India is now witnessing a growing interest in monsoon holidays. Pleasant temperatures, refreshed landscapes and fewer crowds are encouraging more travellers to explore destinations during this season.
With this trend in mind, WelcomHeritage is offering curated monsoon stays that include breakfast for two guests, allowing visitors to experience heritage hospitality while enjoying the beauty of the rains.
At WelcomHeritage Tarangi Ramganga Resort in Corbett, guests can witness the Ramganga River flowing at its fullest while the surrounding forests turn lush green, creating the perfect setting for a peaceful nature escape.
In Kasauli, WelcomHeritage Santa Roza offers a relaxing retreat surrounded by mist-covered pine hills, making it an ideal destination for leisurely mornings, nature walks and quiet weekend breaks.
Travellers heading to Solan can unwind at WelcomHeritage Parv Vilas Resort & Spa, where panoramic mountain views, a spa and an indoor pool provide a comfortable wellness getaway regardless of the weather.
For those visiting Shimla, WelcomHeritage Elysium Resort & Spa offers a peaceful alternative away from the busy tourist spots, allowing guests to enjoy changing mountain views with modern comforts.
In Srinagar, guests can choose between WelcomHeritage Grand, located close to the airport, or experience one of Kashmir's most iconic stays aboard the WelcomHeritage Gurkha Houseboats on Nageen Lake. Surrounded by mountain views, gentle rainfall and beautifully crafted wooden interiors, the houseboats offer a memorable monsoon experience.
The Monsoon Offer also includes breakfast for two guests. The offer is available for a limited period and is subject to availability. Bookings can be made through the WelcomHeritage website, its central reservations team or authorised travel partners.
Published on July 13, 2026
ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts has announced its entry into Madhya Pradesh with the signing of Maharaja Kothi, Bandhavgarh, in partnership with the HHR Group of Hotels and Resorts. The signing marks the hospitality company's debut in Central India's wildlife and upscale leisure segment while strengthening its growing presence across key travel destinations in the country.
Located in the heart of Bandhavgarh, the property sits close to one of India's most celebrated wildlife destinations, known for having one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal Tigers. Once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Rewa, the region is renowned for its rich heritage, lush sal forests, scenic meadows, and the historic 2,000-year-old Bandhavgarh Fort, making it a sought-after destination for wildlife enthusiasts and leisure travellers.
Through this partnership, ALIVAA aims to combine its hospitality expertise with the destination's unique heritage, offering guests an elevated stay experience while expanding its footprint in India's growing wildlife tourism market.
Commenting on the signing, Akash Bhatia, Chief Executive Officer, Management & Franchise, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, said:
"Entering Madhya Pradesh through a destination as iconic as Bandhavgarh aligns perfectly with our vision of curating exceptional leisure experiences. Maharaja Kothi captures the untamed spirit of the region while offering the refined comfort our guests expect. Our partnership with HHR Group lets us pair Bandhavgarh's royal heritage with ALIVAA's technology-driven revenue systems and high-touch service to create lasting value for owners and guests alike."
Vikramjit Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts, added:
"Our alliance with HHR Group reflects a shared set of hospitality values. As ALIVAA expands across India's premier leisure corridors, moving into wildlife tourism is a natural next step. Maharaja Kothi, Bandhavgarh will anchor our presence in Central India and set a new benchmark for boutique and experiential travel in the region."
Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Maharaj Pushpraj Singh, Owner, HHR Group of Hotels and Resorts, said:
"Bandhavgarh holds deep personal and historical significance for us, and our aim has always been to offer a sanctuary worthy of its royal legacy and natural wonder. ALIVAA's operational expertise, distribution strength, and genuine respect for local heritage make them the right partner for HHR Group. Together, we look forward to elevating the guest experience so that every traveller feels the true essence of royal Central Indian hospitality, matched with world-class contemporary service."
With this signing, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts continues its expansion into high-potential leisure destinations, further strengthening its presence in India's hospitality landscape while tapping into the growing demand for wildlife and experiential travel.
Published on July 12, 2026
Raymond Lifestyle has launched the 10th edition of its annual Garment Exchange Program (GEP), reinforcing its commitment to circular fashion and community development. Running from July 2 to July 23, 2026, the nationwide initiative encourages customers to donate pre-loved garments in exchange for free stitching vouchers on freshly purchased Raymond fabrics.
The campaign will be available across 1,000+ Raymond Shops and select multi-brand outlets across India. This year's edition also introduces a new digital campaign, "FIT FOR YOU. FEELS LIKE YOU.", conceptualised by BBDO India, part of Omnicom Advertising India.
The campaign highlights the value of customised clothing while encouraging consumers to move beyond the one-size-fits-all approach of fast fashion. Through the initiative, customers can donate garments across categories, including shirts, trousers, jackets, women's wear, and children's clothing, while experiencing Raymond's bespoke tailoring services.
All donated garments will be collected by Goonj, a non-profit organisation that uses clothing as a resource for rural development, disaster relief, and livelihood generation. After undergoing a detailed sorting and processing process at Goonj's Circularity Centres, the garments become part of material kits that are distributed as dignified rewards to rural communities participating in local development initiatives such as water body restoration, bamboo bridge construction, and other community projects.
Speaking about the milestone edition, Satyaki Ghosh, Director and CEO of Raymond Lifestyle Limited, said:
"Reaching the 10th-year milestone of 'Look Good Feel Good' is a proud moment that reflects the strong brand ethos. At Raymond, our relationship with our consumers has always been interwoven with threads of trust and timeless elegance and the intent to give back through circularity in fashion. As we continue our journey with Goonj, we stay committed to elevating the dignity of labour in our own ecosystem. As customisation and premiumisation continue to define the Indian luxury landscape, this initiative also serves as a bridge, allowing our customers to experience the unparalleled precision of Raymond tailoring."
Anshu Gupta, Founder of Goonj, added:
"The long-standing partnership between Goonj and Raymond has evolved into a meaningful coming together of people, purpose and possibilities. Year after year, this campaign has shown that when citizens are offered a meaningful platform to contribute, they respond with ownership and commitment. Twenty-seven years ago, we recognised that despite being one of humanity's three basic needs, cloth remained one of the most neglected. Since then, Goonj has worked to change the lens, language and narrative around not only clothing but about material poverty, from an ignored necessity to a powerful resource for development and climate action. Millions of kilograms of discarded cloth and other underutilised material continue to burden the landfill and such relationships stop the same at a scale. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Raymond and continuing to demonstrate how collective action can transform an overlooked resource into opportunities for dignity and sustainable development."
Commenting on the campaign, Josy Paul, Chairperson and CCO, BBDO India, said:
"This campaign celebrates individuality and craftsmanship, reminding us that the best fit is the one that’s uniquely yours. Every garment is crafted to honour the person wearing it - because true style is personal. The catchy song in this beautifully styled film invites people to exchange pre-loved garments at The Raymond Shop for free custom tailoring for a fit that truly ‘feels like you”."
Customers participating in the program can redeem their free stitching vouchers on newly purchased Raymond fabrics at participating Raymond Shops and selected multi-brand outlets. The vouchers issued during the campaign will remain valid until July 31, 2026.
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