When India Served the Future: Highlights from IRC & Coffee & Tea Asia Summit 2025

When India Served the Future: Highlights from IRC & Coffee & Tea Asia Summit 2025

By Hariharan U

Published on August 14, 2025

What happens when an industry worth $66 billion, projected to nearly double by 2030, gathers its brightest minds under one roof? You get The 14th Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards (IRC), a spectacular showcase of culinary evolution, tech-infused dining, and global ambition. Held on 5–6 August 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and co-located with the Coffee & Tea Asia Summit, this year's IRC was more than an event—it was a movement.

A Global Outlook: The Theme that Tied It All Together

From Indian brands going global to global chains finding roots in India, the theme “A Global Outlook” set the tone for a dynamic exchange of ideas around cuisine, design, storytelling, and service.

Anil Chadha, MD of ITC Hotels, inaugurated the event, organized by Restaurant India & Franchise India, supported by visionary partners like Cremica, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Trufrost& Butler, Happilo, and institutional supporters such as Incredible India, Indian Culinary Forum, AIFPA, HOTREMAI and others.

Who Was in the Room?

Chefs, restaurateurs, tech disruptors, policymakers, beverage innovators, food service leaders, and trend-watchers gathered for two days of inspiration and actionable insights. And yes, the aroma of change was unmistakable.

Key Takeaways from the Industry Leaders

“This generation tweets before they eat.”
– Anil Chadha, MD, ITC Hotels & Conference Chairperson 2025
He stressed how AI-driven plating, taste innovation, and authenticity are redefining consumer expectations.

“Fast, affordable, inclusive.”
– M. Mahadevan, Chairman, Advantage Foods Pvt Ltd
Mahadevan emphasized tailoring cuisine to local demand—and creating jobs for LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.

“Quick delivery is the future of all food.”
– Kallol Banerjee, Co-Founder, Rebel Foods
Rebel Foods is doubling down on tier-2 markets, with health-conscious consumers and kitchen tech leading the charge.

“It’s Zepto vs. Blinkit now.”
– Anjan Chatterjee, CMD, Speciality Restaurants
QSR is getting sharper and faster. Anjan revealed their in-house app now accounts for 12% of sales.

“Touch the customer deeply.”
– AkshayBector, CMD, Cremica Food Industries Ltd
Bector highlighted long-term brand love and how Bukhara’s journey symbolizes what’s possible when authenticity meets customer delight.

“Fusion, seasonality, and soul.”
– Chef Vicky Ratnani, Founder, SpeakBurgers
From global Indian flavors to sustainable sourcing, Vicky is crafting dishes that travel the world while staying rooted.

Entrepreneur Restaurateur — A New Chapter Begins

This edition marked the debut of Restaurant India print publication, spotlighting India’s F&B game-changers. The cover stars?

  • Anjan Chatterjee – The culinary visionary behind Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta
  • Kallol Banerjee – Global cloud kitchen pioneer, Rebel Foods
  • Chef Vicky Ratnani – India’s storytelling chef pushing global flavor frontiers

It’s Gala Time

Restaurant India hosted the 14th Indian Restaurant Awards on 5th August 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. IRA garnered nominations from 500+ brands, with 80+ brands winning the awards. 700 attendees attended this event and celebrated the outstanding achievements in India’s F&B sector, earning both media spotlight and national recognition. There were various categories like ‘Restaurant of the Year,’ ‘Best QSR Concept,’ ‘Coffee Chain of the Year,’ ‘Executive Chef of the Year’ among others.

The Road Ahead

With dining trends shifting rapidly, IRC continues to be a lighthouse for restaurateurs navigating change. This year’s edition did more than award excellence—it fueled innovation, sparked collaborations, and spotlighted the new forces shaping Indian hospitality.

From the kitchen to the cloud, from flavor to fintech—the future of food is being written now, and IRC is where the story begins.


Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

By Hariharan U

Published on August 25, 2026

Eros Hotel New Delhi is reinforcing its commitment to responsible water management during World Water Week 2026 by highlighting a range of initiatives focused on reducing water consumption, promoting mindful usage and recycling wastewater across its operations.

Organised annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week brings global attention to water-related challenges and the importance of responsible water management. The 2026 edition is being held from 23 to 27 August.

At Eros Hotel New Delhi, water conservation has been integrated across guest areas, kitchens, back-of-house operations and public facilities through a combination of water-efficient infrastructure and awareness initiatives.

The hotel has installed water-saving aerators across taps in guest room washrooms, kitchens and back-of-house areas to regulate water flow and improve consumption efficiency. Public washrooms feature sensor-operated taps, helping reduce unnecessary water usage, while guest rooms are equipped with dual-flush WC cisterns that allow guests to use water according to requirements.

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The hotel's sustainability approach also focuses on creating greater awareness among guests and employees. Water conservation tent cards placed in guest rooms encourage visitors to adopt mindful water-use practices during their stay. Awareness posters across kitchens and back-of-house areas further reinforce responsible water consumption among employees and operational teams.

A key element of Eros Hotel New Delhi's water management strategy is the 100% recycling of wastewater. Treated recycled water is utilised for horticulture and cooling towers, reducing the hotel's dependence on fresh water for selected operational requirements while ensuring wastewater is put to productive use.

By combining water-efficient fixtures, wastewater recycling and awareness programmes, Eros Hotel New Delhi continues to integrate resource-conscious practices into its daily operations.

The initiatives reflect the hotel's broader approach to making water conservation a shared responsibility among guests, employees and operational teams while strengthening its ongoing sustainability efforts.

About Eros Hotel New Delhi:

Eros Hotel New Delhi is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, offering accommodation, dining and hospitality facilities for leisure and business travellers.


Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj Hosts Victoria’s Secret ‘Rome After Dark’ Launch with Triptii Dimri

Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj Hosts Victoria’s Secret ‘Rome After Dark’ Launch with Triptii Dimri

By Hariharan U

Published on August 22, 2026

Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, hosted an exclusive ‘Rome After Dark’ experience by Victoria’s Secret, marking the launch of the brand’s latest Very Sexy Collection and bringing together fashion, luxury and experiential retail.

Inspired by the romance and mystique of Rome, the launch transformed the Victoria’s Secret store into an immersive setting reflecting the collection’s distinctive aesthetic and after-dark appeal.

Actor Triptii Dimri joined the event as the special guest, adding a celebrity and fashion dimension to the evening. Her presence further enhanced the launch, which brought together the brand’s signature fashion identity with an experience-led retail format.

Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said that luxury retail destinations are increasingly defined by the experiences they create alongside the brands they house. He highlighted the mall’s focus on bringing leading international and premium brands together with experiences designed for an evolving, fashion-conscious consumer.

Shahista Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, added that contemporary luxury is increasingly about being distinctive, relevant and ahead of the curve. She noted that the ‘Rome After Dark’ experience combined fashion, trends and a strong sense of occasion, reflecting the evolving retail environment at Ambience Mall.

The Very Sexy Collection takes inspiration from Rome’s timeless romance and after-dark allure. Through the ‘Rome After Dark’ narrative, Victoria’s Secret has created a retail experience centred around discovery and engagement while retaining the brand’s distinctive visual and fashion language.

The launch also underlines Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj’s continued focus on premium and luxury retail. The destination brings together international and Indian brands spanning fashion, beauty, lifestyle and dining, positioning itself as a destination that combines shopping with fashion, culture and entertainment.

Over the years, Ambience Mall has also hosted prominent celebrities for brand launches and engagements, further strengthening its role within Delhi’s premium retail and lifestyle landscape.

With Victoria’s Secret’s latest collection at the centre of the evening and Triptii Dimri adding a celebrity presence, the ‘Rome After Dark’ launch showcased how luxury retail is increasingly moving beyond conventional shopping to create immersive and experience-led brand interactions.


TSG Aura Resort Hosts Special Lunch for Students in Shaheed Dweep

TSG Aura Resort Hosts Special Lunch for Students in Shaheed Dweep

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 22, 2026

TSG Aura Resort hosted a special lunch for students of Government Middle School, Sitapur, Shaheed Dweep, South Andaman, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The initiative was planned to give the young students a warm and memorable experience. The resort team spent time with the children, interacted with them and shared moments of happiness during the gathering.

More than just providing a meal, the occasion gave the team an opportunity to connect with the students and make them feel valued and appreciated. Through initiatives such as this, TSG Hotels & Resorts continues to engage with the local community and support efforts that contribute to the well-being of people in the destinations where it operates.

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