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.


Bengaluru's Best IPL Screening Spots This Season Are at Sector 144, Tropika Brewing Co and Oasis Brewery

Bengaluru's Best IPL Screening Spots This Season Are at Sector 144, Tropika Brewing Co and Oasis Brewery

By Hariharan U

Published on March 19, 2026

There are cricket matches, and then there are IPL nights. The kind where every ball feels bigger than it should, where a single boundary can bring an entire room to its feet, and where watching with strangers somehow feels like watching with friends. Bengaluru has always been good at this, and this IPL season, three venues are making it even better.

Here's where to be this season if you want the full experience.

Sector 144, JP Nagar has quietly become one of JP Nagar's most dependable spots for a great evening out, and IPL season gives it an even better reason to be packed. Multiple high-definition screens are placed across the bar so there really is no bad seat in the house, and the à la carte menu has been put together for long, relaxed match nights. Bar bites, flavourful dishes, refreshing cocktails, cold beers between overs: the food and drink work with the rhythm of the game rather than pulling you away from it.

What makes Sector 144 work as a match-night venue is how easy and familiar it feels. It's a neighbourhood bar that draws people in for the cricket and keeps them coming back for everything else. Multi-screen coverage extends beyond IPL to sports in general, which means it stays relevant long after the tournament wraps up.

  • Location: 4th Floor, Above Style Union, JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore 560078
  • Time: 12:00 PM to 12:30 AM
  • Throughout: The IPL season

Tropika Brewing Co., Marathahalli

Tropika takes the match-night experience up a notch with its tropical setting, craft brews, and a cricket-themed menu that someone has clearly had a lot of fun putting together. The venue transforms into a proper viewing arena during IPL, with large screens, warm lighting, and a social energy that makes every wicket feel like a shared celebration.

The food menu deserves a mention of its own. Spinny Spring Roll Veg, Power Play Plum Chilly Baby Corn, Super Over Fried Chicken, Googly Ghee Roast Lamb, All Out Appolo Fish, and Hatrick Habanero Prawns keep the savoury side interesting, while Dot Ball Doughnuts and Catchy Carrot Halwa with Ice Cream are the kind of desserts that reward you for sitting through a tight chase.

  • Location: 37/1, Outer Ring Road, Panathur, Marathahalli, Bengaluru 560103
  • Reservations: 8901579999
  • Time: 12:00 PM to 12:30 AM
  • Throughout: The IPL season

Oasis Brewery

Oasis rounds out the Bengaluru IPL screening lineup with its own distinct character. Known for its Mediterranean, Pan-Asian, and Modern Indian offerings alongside quality craft brews, the Whitefield brewery brings a more refined energy to match nights without losing any of the excitement. It's the venue for those who want good food and great drinks alongside their cricket, without compromising on either.

Pick your venue, gather your crew, wear your colours, and settle in. The IPL is long, and Bengaluru is ready for all of it.


IRHPL Is Redefining Airport Convenience Retail in Delhi With Its Multi-Store NeoTravel Expansion

IRHPL Is Redefining Airport Convenience Retail in Delhi With Its Multi-Store NeoTravel Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on March 19, 2026

Anyone who has rushed through an airport looking for a charger, a snack, or a last-minute essential knows exactly how important a well-stocked, easy-to-navigate convenience store can be. IRHPL is building something around that very need, and its multi-store NeoTravel expansion across Delhi airport is the most visible step yet in that direction.

India Retails and Hospitality Private Limited has rolled out multiple NeoTravel stores across key locations at Delhi airport, covering both departure and arrival areas to serve travellers at every stage of their journey. The expansion is part of IRHPL's broader 360-degree approach to travel retail, combining strategic brand partnerships, design-led store formats, and insight-driven product selection to genuinely improve the airport convenience experience.

The name NeoTravel was chosen deliberately. It combines "Neo," representing new-age thinking and modernity, with "Travel," reflecting the evolving needs of today's passengers. Together, the name captures what IRHPL is trying to build: a new way of doing airport retail in India.

The product range at NeoTravel is curated with the time-pressed traveller in mind. Beverages, books, confectionery, power banks, chargers, and international adapters form the core of the offering, covering the practical gaps that most travellers encounter at airports. Alongside familiar trusted brands, the stores also introduce emerging products that reflect modern lifestyle preferences, including sugar-free, gluten-free, and sustainable options that are being brought into airport retail environments for the first time in many cases.

The store design is a deliberate departure from the cluttered layouts that often define airport convenience retail. NeoTravel follows a clean, minimalist visual language with uniform fixtures and a consistent layout that allows passengers to quickly find what they need without having to slow down. In an environment where time is genuinely limited, that clarity matters more than most retailers acknowledge.

Naresh Sharma, CEO of IRHPL Group of Companies, explained the thinking behind the concept. "NeoTravel brings together food, beverages, and travel essentials in a single, convenient airport retail format. Built on our pillars of health and convenience, the concept responds to modern travellers' demand for healthier options within an international-standard store environment. The brand name itself reflects our commitment to creating a new way of travel retail in India."

Beyond the immediate expansion, IRHPL sees NeoTravel as a scalable concept with long-term potential across airports, travel hubs, and eventually beyond airport environments. As India's aviation sector continues to grow in passenger numbers, the opportunity for well-designed, thoughtfully stocked convenience retail is only going to increase. NeoTravel is being built to grow alongside that demand.


Hilton Bengaluru Hotels Host TRISHUL 2.0 Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Empowerment

Hilton Bengaluru Hotels Host TRISHUL 2.0 Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Empowerment

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 19, 2026

Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks, along with the upcoming Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Tech Village, recently hosted TRISHUL 2.0, their signature women’s leadership platform, as part of the Shakti by Hilton initiative.

Organised in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, the event brought together around 200 hospitality students, industry professionals, and team members for an evening focused on empowerment, leadership, and meaningful conversations.

Centered on the theme “Empowered Women, Empower Women,” TRISHUL 2.0 created a platform for discussions around economic independence, mentorship, leadership, and continuous learning in today’s evolving world. The evening began with a networking session, allowing participants to connect and exchange ideas, followed by an introduction to the vision behind the Shakti by Hilton initiative.

The formal session opened with a welcome address by Sujeet Kumar, Cluster General Manager – Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, who highlighted the importance of inclusive platforms that encourage women to lead with confidence. This was followed by remarks from Manish Garg, Cluster General Manager – Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Tech Village, who spoke about building supportive and diverse workplaces.

A key highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Shraddha Amit, CEO of Kshemavana, who shared her insights on purpose-driven leadership and empowering communities through wellness and social impact initiatives.

The event also featured an engaging panel discussion moderated by Sarita Iyer, bringing together accomplished women leaders including Leela Kirloskar, Usha Rao, Anuradha B. M., Shivani Kulkarni, and Resham Gupta. The discussion explored themes such as leadership evolution, economic independence, and skill development in a technology-driven environment, while also highlighting personal journeys and the importance of mentorship.

As part of the recognition segment, each panelist nominated an inspiring woman from their community, celebrating grassroots leadership and impact. The panelists were also felicitated with certificates of appreciation by the General Managers.

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Speaking about the initiative, Sujeet Kumar said, "TRISHUL 2.0 is more than a celebration, it is a platform that brings together the inspiring voices and stories of women who are shaping communities and industries. At Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, we believe in creating spaces where women can connect, inspire, and uplift one another. Through initiatives like TRISHUL, we remain committed to championing diversity, leadership, and meaningful progress.”

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Abhiram Menon, General Manager of Hilton Embassy GolfLinks, followed by a group photograph and a curated high tea that encouraged continued networking.

Through initiatives like TRISHUL 2.0, Hilton Bengaluru hotels continue to create platforms that support women’s leadership while fostering collaboration, empowerment, and lasting impact across the hospitality industry.

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