Women Who Lead: Trailblazing Entrepreneurs in the Food & Beverage Industry

Women Who Lead: Trailblazing Entrepreneurs in the Food & Beverage Industry

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 5, 2025

The food and beverage industry has long been a challenging space, yet these remarkable women have broken barriers to carve their own path. As International Women's Day draws near, we recognize and celebrate the achievements of women who have not only established thriving culinary businesses but have also inspired countless others with their entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

Divya Kadam – Baliboo

Mumbai’s Baliboo is the brainchild of Divya Kadam, a passionate entrepreneur who transformed her love for travel and food into a vibrant dining experience. Launched in 2023, Baliboo quickly became a hotspot for those seeking a tropical escape within the city. Despite having no background in hospitality, Divya’s global culinary explorations inspired her to create a space that blends exotic flavors, immersive ambiance, and a unique dining culture.

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Geeta Amin – Amelia

With over three decades in architecture, Geeta Amin’s expertise goes beyond structures—it extends into crafting experiences. As the visionary behind Amelia, a contemporary European dining destination in Mumbai’s OneBKC, Geeta merges her passion for design and fine dining. Drawing inspiration from her travels across 75+ countries, she has created a space that is both culturally rich and architecturally stunning. Beyond hospitality, she is also a celebrated wildlife photographer with her work published in the official book of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

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Bobby Patel – Thyme & Whisk and Mad Doh

A certified culinary and baking chef, Bobby Patel has redefined the vegetarian and plant-based dining experience. As the Culinary Director of Thyme & Whisk and Mad Doh, she has championed sustainability and innovation in food. Her flagship brand, Thyme & Whisk, launched in Vadodara in 2018, has expanded to 16 locations. Mad Doh, a Mumbai-based venture, is on the path of rapid expansion into major Indian cities. With expertise certified by City & Guilds London, Bobby is at the forefront of creating delectable and mindful culinary experiences.

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Eesha Sukhi – The BlueBop Cafe

From the corporate world to the culinary stage, Eesha Sukhi’s journey has been one of passion and transformation. In 2019, she launched The BlueBop Cafe in Mumbai’s Khar, a space known for its exceptional cuisine and live jazz performances. Her commitment to quality food and immersive entertainment has earned the cafe multiple accolades, including the Times Food & Nightlife Award for three consecutive years. Eesha’s story is a testament to how passion and strategic vision can create a successful brand.

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Rinka Jha & Rashmi Mehra – Two Gud Sisters

From friendship to entrepreneurship, Rinka Jha and Rashmi Mehra co-founded Two Gud Sisters with a mission to create a space where food fosters connections. Their venture reflects their shared love for quality products, homemade flavors, and meaningful experiences. Whether through handcrafted meals, artisanal coffee, or innovative culinary offerings, they have cultivated a brand that resonates with people seeking warmth and authenticity in their dining experiences.

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Aayusha Joshi – ZAKÌ

Taking over a 25-year-old Mumbai bakery and transforming it into a contemporary brand, Aayusha Joshi is redefining tradition with a fresh perspective. Armed with a BA (Hons) in Entrepreneurship from NMIMS and a design certification from ISDI Mumbai in collaboration with Parsons School of Design, Aayusha blends aesthetics with culinary expertise. Her passion for exploring global cuisines and desserts fuels the evolution of ZAKÌ, creating a brand that respects its roots while embracing innovation.

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Neha Chowdhury – Courtyard by Marriott

With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, Neha Chowdhury, Director of Sales & Marketing at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, is a force to be reckoned with. Her deep understanding of business strategy and human connection makes her a leader who not only drives revenue but also shapes guest experiences. Neha’s success reinforces the belief that women can excel in leadership roles, inspiring the next generation of female professionals in the industry.

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These women have redefined the food and beverage industry with their dedication, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. Their journeys serve as a beacon of inspiration, proving that passion and perseverance can transform dreams into thriving businesses.


Kaapi Solutions Launches New Coffee Machines, Expands ‘Assembled in India’ Initiative

Kaapi Solutions Launches New Coffee Machines, Expands ‘Assembled in India’ Initiative

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 25, 2026

Kaapi Solutions has announced the launch of its new range of professional coffee machines, along with the expansion of its “Assembled in India” initiative. The move highlights the company’s focus on supporting the growing demand for quality coffee solutions across India.

The newly introduced machine portfolio includes MIRA from the House of CIME, Coffee Master 200 and CW01 from Dr Coffee, JL-37 from Jetinno, and My Espressino from the house of Kaapi Solutions. The range features espresso machines, automatic coffee machines, high performance blenders, and smart brewing systems designed for cafés, hotels, restaurants, and corporate offices.

Built with a focus on consistency, durability, and ease of use, these machines aim to help businesses scale their coffee operations with reliable and efficient equipment.

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“Our focus is to bring the best coffee machines for cafés and hospitality businesses while ensuring strong service support across India,” said Vikram Khurana, CEO at Kaapi Solutions. “This launch strengthens our position as a trusted partner for coffee machine solutions, barista training, and café consulting.”

As part of this expansion, Kaapi Solutions is also strengthening its “Assembled in India” initiative. Under this, select espresso machines and commercial coffee equipment will be assembled locally, helping improve after-sales service, faster installation, and easier maintenance. It also ensures better availability of spare parts and technical support.

By combining global technology with local assembly, the company aims to offer cost-effective solutions, reduce downtime, and meet the needs of India’s fast-growing coffee market.

Along with equipment, Kaapi Solutions also offers barista training programs, SCA-certified coffee training, and complete café setup consulting, supporting businesses in building and growing their coffee operations.

With this launch and initiative, Kaapi Solutions continues to strengthen its role in shaping India’s coffee ecosystem through a mix of equipment, training, and service support.


Palaniappa Electronics Enables Secure Hotel Operations with Samsung Knox for Hospitality

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 25, 2026

As hotels increasingly integrate digital tools to improve efficiency and guest experience, device security and controlled usage have become essential. Addressing this need, Palaniappa Electronics, a solutions expert and implementation partner for Samsung Knox in the hospitality sector, is enabling hotels to deploy secure, purpose-built tablets and smartphones designed exclusively for operational use.

At the reception desk, where speed and accuracy are critical, Samsung Knox allows tablets to be locked down to run only hotel-approved applications such as property management systems, ID scanning, billing, and guest registration. This prevents accidental access to social media, app stores, or system settings, resulting in faster check-ins, reduced errors, and a professional guest-facing interface while ensuring complete data security.

For operations, administration, and housekeeping teams, Knox-enabled smartphones help maintain focus on task management applications, room status updates, maintenance requests, and internal communication tools. By eliminating non-work apps and unnecessary notifications, hotels benefit from improved productivity, quicker response times, and stronger accountability, while also preventing misuse of company-owned devices.

In guest rooms, Samsung Knox-secured tablets function as dedicated hotel management system controllers. Guests can manage lighting, curtains, air conditioning, and in-room services through a simple interface, while the device remains protected from browsing, downloads, or tampering. This safeguards hotel assets, reduces replacement costs, and delivers a consistent, premium digital experience for guests.

Samsung Knox offers enterprise-grade security trusted globally, along with centralised device control and remote management capabilities. Hotels can enforce usage policies, push updates, and lock devices remotely, reducing IT overheads and minimising operational risks. The solution is scalable across single properties as well as multi-hotel portfolios, making it suitable for both independent hotels and large chains.

Palaniappa Electronics has established itself as a trusted name in hospitality-focused electronics, supporting hotels with solutions ranging from small requirements to large-scale deployments. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and world-class brands, the company continues to help hospitality businesses create secure, efficient, and refined operational environments.

In a hospitality landscape where technology must function seamlessly and securely, Samsung Knox is emerging as a strategic advantage for hotels aiming to balance efficiency, security, and guest satisfaction.

For hotels facing challenges related to device misuse, data security, or operational inefficiencies, Palaniappa Electronics offers live proof-of-concept demonstrations tailored to specific hotel requirements.

For more details, contact: Palaniappa Electronics | Mr.Muthu @ 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com


Karnataka Tourism Makes a Strong Showing at TTF Bengaluru 2026 With a Showcase of Its Best Offerings

Karnataka Tourism Makes a Strong Showing at TTF Bengaluru 2026 With a Showcase of Its Best Offerings

By Hariharan U

Published on March 24, 2026

Karnataka Tourism had a strong showing at the Travel and Tourism Fair Bengaluru 2026, using the three-day event to put the state's diverse tourism offerings in front of a wide audience of travel trade professionals, industry stakeholders, and visitors.

The Karnataka Tourism pavilion was inaugurated by H.K. Patil, Hon'ble Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation, and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. Senior officials representing the department included Dr. Thrilok Chandra K.V., IAS, Secretary of Tourism; Mr. Prashant Shankhinamath, IFS, Managing Director of Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd.; Mr. Janardhan H.P., Joint Director of the Department of Tourism; and Smt. Cheluvamba, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism.

The pavilion drew consistent footfall throughout the event, with the display capturing attention for the breadth of what Karnataka has to offer. Heritage circuits, cultural landmarks, wildlife reserves, scenic landscapes, and emerging segments including wellness, adventure, and experiential tourism were all prominently featured through promotional materials and audio-visual presentations. The depth of the state's tourism product came through clearly, reinforcing Karnataka's positioning as a year-round destination rather than a seasonal one.

The B2B dimension of the participation was equally productive. Karnataka Tourism stakeholders engaged directly with tour operators, travel agents, and destination management companies over the three days, exploring new business opportunities and building on existing partnerships. These interactions gave both sides a clearer picture of evolving travel trends and consumer preferences, which the department expects to translate into stronger collaborations and increased tourist footfall in the months ahead.

Media engagement at the pavilion also generated meaningful coverage, extending the reach of Karnataka's tourism narrative beyond the fair itself.

Karnataka Tourism continues to prioritise sustainable and responsible tourism as it promotes its unique blend of heritage, nature, and modern experiences to travellers across India. TTF Bengaluru 2026 was a useful platform to reinforce that message to exactly the right audience.

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