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The Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
When India Served the Future on a Platter: Highlights from the 14th Indian Restaurant Congress & Coffee & Tea Asia Summit 2025
New Delhi, August 14 , 2025: What happens when an industry worth $66 billion, projected to nearly double by 2030, gathers its brightest minds under one roof? The answer: the 14th Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards (IRC), a spectacular celebration of culinary evolution, technology-driven 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. Themed 'A Global Outlook', the summit explored how Indian brands are making inroads abroad while global chains deepen their roots in India. From cuisine and design to storytelling and service, the conversations reflected a rapidly transforming industry. The event was inaugurated by Anil Chadha, MD of ITC Hotels, and organised by Restaurant India & Franchise India, supported by partners including Cremica, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Trufrost & Butler, Happilo, and institutional supporters such as Incredible India, Indian Culinary Forum, AIFPA, and HOTREMAI. Over two days, chefs, restaurateurs, technology disruptors, policymakers, beverage innovators, and food service leaders came together to exchange ideas and gain actionable insights. The energy in the room was palpable, and the aroma of change unmistakable. Discussions ranged from the rise of AI-driven plating and health-conscious dining to the competitive quick-service restaurant landscape and the growing role of sustainable sourcing. Industry stalwarts such as Anil Chadha, M. Mahadevan, Kallol Banerjee, Anjan Chatterjee, Akshay Bector, and Chef Vicky Ratnani shared perspectives that underscored the evolving demands of today's diner fast, affordable, inclusive, authentic, and innovative. This year's edition also marked the launch of the Restaurant India print publication, spotlighting India's F&B game-changers. The inaugural cover featured three icons of the industry: Anjan Chatterjee, the visionary behind Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta; Kallol Banerjee, the global cloud kitchen pioneer of Rebel Foods; and Chef Vicky Ratnani, India's storytelling chef who is pushing the boundaries of global flavours while staying true to his roots. The celebrations peaked on 5th August with the 14th Indian Restaurant Awards, which received over 500 nominations and honoured more than 80 brands. The gala evening drew 700 attendees and recognised excellence across a variety of categories including Restaurant of the Year, Best QSR Concept, Coffee Chain of the Year, and Executive Chef of the Year. The awards not only celebrated achievement but also offered brands national recognition and a powerful media spotlight. With dining trends shifting at an unprecedented pace, the IRC continues to serve as a guiding light for restaurateurs navigating change. This year's edition went beyond awarding excellence, it fuelled innovation, sparked collaborations, and spotlighted the forces reshaping Indian hospitality. From the kitchen to the cloud, and from flavour to fintech, the future of food is being written now, and IRC is where the story begins. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.


New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Just get bagel'd!
There's something undeniably satisfying about the chewy texture and glossy crust of a perfectly baked bagel. Whether enjoyed plain, slathered with cream cheese, or transformed into a gourmet sandwich, the bagel has made an impressive journey from its humble Eastern European origins to becoming a global breakfast and brunch staple. Adding a new twist to this beloved classic, Bagelstein, the celebrated French bagel brand known for its artisanal offerings, has officially launched its first Indian outlet at Nexus Mall, Kukatpally. This marks the beginning of Bagelstein's India journey in partnership with Franchise India, its official master franchiser. Founded in Strasbourg in 2011 by Thierry Veil and Gilles Abecassis, Bagelstein has built a cult following across Europe for its distinctive flavours and cheeky brand personality. 'India presents a strategic growth and exciting opportunity for us, and we are delighted to introduce our delicious blend of French charm and cuisine to Hyderabad,' says Thierry Veil, founder & CEO of Bagelstein.


Hans India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Bagelstein opens first Indian outlet in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: French bagel chain Bagelstein has opened its first Indian outlet at the Ground Floor Atrium of Nexus Mall in Kukatpally, Hyderabad. Bagelstein's menu features a variety of bagels with diverse fillings. Examples include the Halloumi Bagel with grilled halloumi, onion relish, and cream cheese, and the Josephine Bagel, which includes falafel, hummus, and pickled onions. All items are prepared in-house using fresh ingredients, with minimal reliance on large-scale cooking equipment or cold storage. The Hyderabad location offers both food and beverage options, such as smoothies and iced teas, in addition to coffee. The outlet's interior design includes decorative elements consistent with Bagelstein's European locations, while also integrating aspects of local culture. Commenting on the launch, Thierry Veil, Founder and CEO of Bagelstein, noted the potential of the Indian market for international food brands. He acknowledged the role of Franchise India in the brand's local expansion plans. The opening reflects broader changes in India's quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector, as global brands respond to increasing demand for international dining formats and menu options.


United News of India
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- United News of India
EV 2025 : Funding futures, battery innovation drive India's EV ambitions
Chennai, June 28 (UNI) The day 2 of Entrepreneur India EV 2025 unfolded with high-octane Sessions, power-packed panels, and bold ideas aimed at accelerating India's electric mobility revolution. The conversations revolved around the transformative potential of collaborative financing, battery innovation, and policy-powered disruption--clearly underlining that India's EV dream is not just alive but charging forward. The day commenced with an insightful keynote address titled 'From 2 to 20 million: India's Ambitious EV Journey' delivered by Mr. Mahesh Babu, Global CEO, Switch Mobility. Setting the tone, he said 'India is not just adapting to change—we're driving it. From policy breakthroughs to grassroots innovation, the momentum in our mobility and technology sectors is unstoppable. But to reach the next milestone, we need more than just investment—we need intent, collaboration, and bold execution.' Addressing the summit Ms. Ashita Marya, CEO, Franchise India said 'India's EV journey is no longer about catching up—it's about leading with purpose. What we witnessed today is a powerful convergence of innovation, finance, and entrepreneurship. At Franchise India, we believe the future belongs to those who not only build sustainable solutions but also scalable ecosystems. EV 2025 is a clear reflection of that vision taking shape.' This was followed by a forward-thinking panel discussion: 'Unlocking the Future of EV Funding: Collaborative Funding, Technological Innovation, and Economic Impact.' Ms. Vasudha Madhavan, Founder and CEO of Ostara Advisors, moderated the panel, which featured Mr. Kunal Mundra, CEO & Founder, Astranova Mobility, Mr. Nandagopal R, President and National Business Head - Green Finance, Shriram Finance, Ms. Akanksha Sharma, AVP, Green Finance, Namdev Finvest, Ms. Nehal Gupta, Founder and MD, AMU Leasing Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Dev Arora, Founder and CEO, Alt Mobility. In her opening remarks, Ms. Vasudha Madhavan observed, 'In the last decade, we've watched India's EV ecosystem evolve from an idea to an industry. But today, capital isn't just a resource—it's the missing building block that can either make or break innovation.' Panelists emphasized the urgency of building trust, inclusivity, and accessibility within green finance. Ms. Akanksha Sharma noted, 'Financial inclusivity isn't just a metric—it's a mindset… we must look beyond documents and credit scores and start funding intention. That's how we unlock real, scalable impact.' Ms. Nehal Gupta said 'Capital is our raw material—and yet accessing it remains our biggest challenge. It's not enough to build assets; we need to build belief—in the model, in the mission, and in the future.' A deep-dive panel on battery technology followed, exploring the theme: 'Transforming Battery Manufacturing: Advanced Chemistries, AI, and Regulatory Dynamics.' In a powerful insight, Guru Punghavan, CEO, Boson Cell said 'Our initial venture was to recycle end-of-life batteries and retrieve the salts. Now, we've vertically integrated into cell manufacturing, which lets us produce low-cost lithium-ion cells—potentially even more cost-effective than Chinese cells in the EV sector.' As the event concluded its second day, EV 2025 continued to serve as a vital platform for thought leadership, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. With impactful dialogues and clear calls to action, the expo reaffirmed India's growing momentum toward sustainable mobility solutions. UNI GV 1730


United News of India
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- United News of India
EV 2025 powering India's EV Revolution, kicks off in Chennai
Chennai, June 27 (UNI) Entrepreneur India EV 2025 commenced today uniting industry pioneers, government leaders, technology innovators, and entrepreneurs to shape the future of electric mobility in India. The event set an ambitious tone for the nation's rapid and sustainable shift toward an electrified transport ecosystem. Opening the summit, Ms. Ashita Marya, CEO, Franchise India, said 'We are at a turning point in India's electric mobility journey. From a projected USD 27.7 billion battery market by 2028 to EVs accounting for 4.1% of total car sales this May, the shift is real, rapid, and irreversible." "But this conference isn't just about milestones, it's about momentum", he noted. The next two days are about turning conversations into collaborations, and ideas into action, he said. In his keynote address on 'The DeepSeek Moment for the EV Charging Infrastructure – Ultra-Fast Charging (BYD)', Mr. Tin Hang Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Open Energy, emphasized the transformative role of ultra-fast EV charging in driving mainstream EV adoption, positioning it as a pivotal element of India's mobility roadmap. A marquee panel on 'Transforming India's Mobility Landscape: Global Insights and Strategic Solutions for a Sustainable EV Ecosystem' followed, offering a forward-looking blueprint for scaling EV adoption through innovation, collaboration, and inclusive policy. 'India today stands at a pivotal moment—where science, innovation, and sustainability must converge not just in policy papers, but in everyday life. Our challenge is not just to build advanced technologies, but to ensure they reach the last mile, touch real lives, and solve real problems. It is time we move beyond isolated excellence and embrace a collaborative ecosystem—where research institutions, industry, and government co-create solutions that are scalable, inclusive, and globally relevant. We are not just imagining the future—we are engineering it, right here, right now.' Dr. Anita Gupta, Scientist 'G' & Advisor, DST, Government of India, said. 'We must stop thinking of electrification as a distant dream. The real crisis isn't just fossil fuels, it's our continued inefficiency and the way we design systems that waste energy by default. Unless we build an ecosystem powered by genuinely green electricity and supported by reliable infrastructure, EV adoption will be only half a solution. The goal is not just to replace petrol with power, but to reimagine how mobility, storage, and sustainability intersect at scale.' Padmashri Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala Ex-Advisor, Ministry of Power, Prof: - IIT Madras, said. One of the most anticipated segments of the day was the release of Frost & Sullivan's exclusive market report, 'Transformative Trends in the Indian Electric Vehicle Market – 2025 and Beyond,' presented by Mr. Prajyot N Sathe, Research Director. Mr Sathe said 'India's electric vehicle market is evolving rapidly—on track to touch over 700,000-unit sales annually by 2030. But growth alone isn't enough. The focus must now shift to building resilient, localized supply chains, expanding charging infrastructure density, and accelerating battery innovation. With supportive policies like FAME, PLI, and reduced import duties, we have a window of opportunity to make India not just a consumer of EVs, but a global manufacturing hub.' The summit also hosted deep-dive sessions on pivotal themes including EV Consumer Behavior: Understanding drivers, barriers, and shifting market forces, Technological Advancements: Emerging innovations shaping the next era of EVs and Autonomous and User-Centric Design: Reimagining the EV experience for future mobility. The day concluded with two impactful panels 'The Evolution of EV Charging: Implications for Energy, Real Estate, and Mobility' and 'Driving the Future: The Role of Electric Commercial Vehicles in India's Green Transition' UNI GV 1800