Day 1
SEPT 29, 2026
09:00 AM Onwards
Conference Registration along with Networking Tea
10:00 AM - 10:05 AM
WELCOME ADDRESS
10:05 AM - 10:15 AM
INAUGURAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
10:15 AM - 11:25 AM
Session 1: The Holistic Ecosystem of India’s HoReCa Industry
- Analysing the national F&B power curve, where legacy tastes meet luxury aspirations.
- Evaluating trends in Full-Service Restaurants (FSRs), including national opportunities and challenges.
- Understanding the competitive matrix between national chains and homegrown powerhouses.
- Decoding shifting consumer behaviours, such as the rise of solo dining and brunch culture.
- The evolution of the food delivery ecosystem and the shaping of dining habits.
- Market insights into hyperlocal preferences across different Indian regions.
- Identifying the future of the industry through long-term ROI and sustainable growth.
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Rakshay Dhariwal, Founder & Managing Director, Pass Code Hospitality & Maya Pistola Agavepura, Co-Founder, India Cocktail Week
- Mr. Siddharth Mathur, Founder & CEO, Khoya Mithai, Founder, Secret Ingredient, Co-Founder, Bomba, Co-Founder, Niko, F&B Entrepreneur, Culinary Innovator, Brand Architect
- Mr. Nitin Mathur, COO, EHV International (Indian Accent, Comorin, Hosa, Fireback, Barback, Chor Bizzare, Drift Cafe Bar, EHV Catering)
- Mr. Shreh Madan, Co-Founder, Burgrill
11:25 AM - 12:25 PM
Session 2: Tech Integration in Restaurant Hospitality and Catering
- Implementing AI-enabled forecasting for staffing and service orchestration.
- The adoption of robotic kitchens and smart appliances for automated inventory discipline.
- Strengthening back-of-house efficiencies through IoT and smart planning.
- Tech-driven personalization and data-powered guest experiences.
- Exploring future POS ecosystems with omnichannel integration and payment fluidity.
- Leveraging AI and data analytics to predict national food trends.
- Enhancing delivery efficiency through tech-driven logistics and automation.
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Kishore Sharma, Chief Operating Officer, Giani’s Ice Cream
- Mr. Sachin Pabreja, Co-Founder & CEO, EazyDiner
- Mr. Sumit Govind Sharma, Founder & Director, Monarch Liberty Hospitality (MLH)
- Mr. Priyank Singh Chouhan, Director- Operations & Culinary, JSM Corporation Pvt. Ltd.
- Mr. Mayank Prasad, Founder & Brand Architect – Curated Catering By Design, Wine & Cheese Affaire, The Gourmet Chaat Company, The Wedding Platform, The Prince- Luxury Bar Collection, The Art of Gifting and Ikigai Farm Venue, F&B Serial Entrepreneur
12:25 PM – 12:35 PM
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
12:35 PM– 1:25 PM
Session 3: Business Models and Operations: Profitability and Expansion
- Decoding the “Profitability Stack” for modern restaurants to ensure sustainable success.
- Identifying profit power-centers across menu, manpower, and marketing.
- Analyzing the pros and cons of different formats: QSRs, Cloud Kitchens, and Fine Dining.
- Franchising as a profit multiplier and the essentials of creating scalable concepts.
- Best-in-class cost control and dynamic pricing strategies.
- Understanding the new-age investor lens for F&B business expansion.
- Vendor negotiations and the benefits of backward integration for local sourcing.
SESSION LEAD
- Mr. Samir Kuckreja, Founder & CEO, Tasanaya Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Kaushik Roy, Founder & CEO, Biryani By Kilo
- Mr. Akash Kalra, Managing Director, United Coffee House Restaurants
- Mr. Amit Bagga, Co-Founder, Daryaganj Hospitality
- Mr. Arjun Toor, Co-Founder, RollsKing
1:25 PM -1:35 PM
KEYNOTE SESSION
01:35 PM – 2:15 PM
NETWORKING LUNCH
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Session 4: Digital Creators Driving Growth in the F&B Industry
- Content creators influencing food trends, dining habits, and consumer preferences
- Converting digital content into real business — boosting visibility, discovery, and footfall
- Navigating authenticity and sponsored content while maintaining audience trust
- Creators evolving into business owners through brands, pop-ups, and partnerships
- The impact of short-form videos and social platforms on modern food marketing
- Regional and niche creators bringing attention to local cuisines and hidden food spots
- Understanding performance metrics, engagement, and ROI in influencer-led campaigns
- The expanding creator economy as a catalyst for scaling F&B businesses
- Collaborative ecosystems between creators, chefs, and food brands for mutual growth
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Rocky Singh, Brand Ambassador, Swiggy; Actor, Anchor & Food Explorer
- Mr. Anubhav Sapra, Founder & Food Explorer, Delhi Food Walks
- Mr. Gurpreet Singh Tikku, Founder, Mister Tikku
- Mr. Indrajit Lahiri, Founder, Foodka | Co- Founder, Eastern Staple | Author, Entrepreneur & Cultural Storyteller
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
KEYNOTE SESSION
3:10 PM - 4:10 PM
Session Partner
Coffee Innovation Partner
Session 5: Cafes and Bakeries: The Artisanal and Social Boom
- The rise of experiential cafes and what consumers seek beyond coffee.
- Analyzing the bakery and patisserie boom shaping urban menus.
- Millennials and Gen Z as the primary drivers of modern cafe culture.
- Promoting local artisans and specialty coffee roasters.
- Developing dessert bars and artisanal bakeries as scalable profit centers.
- The role of social media in defining the aesthetic and success of cafes.
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Abhinav Mathur, Managing Director, Kaapi Machines
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Kazem Samandari, Executive Chairman, L’Opera
- Mr. Gaurav Wadhwa, Founder Director, Culinary Head & Co-owner, Theos Food Pvt. Ltd., Theos Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd., Theos Global Culinaria
- Mr. Gaurav Dhingra, Director, Defence Bakery Pvt Ltd, Partner, Alma Bakery & Cafe, General Secretary, Indian Bakers Federation
- Mr. Amitabh Negi, CEO, Vita Nova (Coffee Island)
- Mr. Jinraj Adyanthaya, Head of Sales, Nestle Professional India
- Mr. Dhruv Singh, Founder & CEO, Chelvies Coffee
4:10 PM - 4:20 PM
KEYNOTE SESSION
4:20 PM - 4:30 PM
KEYNOTE SESSION
4:30 PM - 5:20 PM
Session 6: Nightlife: High-Energy Spaces and Mixology
- Analyzing the booming craft mixology scene and the rise of functional wellness drinks.
- Live music and themed nights as drivers for redefining nighttime grazing.
- The evolution of bar menus to include fusion finger foods and signature infusions.
- Designing beverage programs with purpose and storytelling.
- Bar tech and innovation in breweries, lounges, and nightclubs.
SESSION LEAD
- Mr. R.S. Dharmendra, COO, Icon Hotels, Bhagini Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Rocky Mohan, Ex Executive Director, Mohan Meakin Ltd., Chairman, Mohan Goldwater Ltd., Promoter Chef Pin & Gourmet Passport, Author & TV Personality
- Mr. Goumtesh Singh, Co-Partner, Raasta, Co-Partner, Yeti
- Mr. Ajit GS, Founder, Crimson and Clover Hospitality India Pvt. Ltd. (Flo, CBD, Rasai, Cafe Del Sol, Bento Lab, Chat Chatore & Curry Express)
- Mr. Priykant Gautam, Director, Affirma Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., Founder – Masaldaani, Maatribhoomi, Hydrama, The Baba Bean & Mysore Tiffins
- Mr. Ajay Kakkar, Vice President, Radico Khaitan
5:20 PM -6:10 PM
Session 7: Creating Exceptional Customer Experiences: The Future of Experiential Dining
- Understanding the shift from traditional dining to immersive and experience-led hospitality.
- Creating memorable dining environments through ambience, storytelling, entertainment and sensory engagement.
- Delivering personalized experiences that strengthen customer satisfaction, emotional connection and long-term loyalty.
- Integrating technology, service excellence and innovation to elevate every stage of the customer experience.
- Leveraging customer insights, feedback and behavioural trends to continuously enhance dining experiences.
- Designing distinctive dining concepts that inspire repeat visits, positive word-of-mouth and brand advocacy.
- Exploring future trends shaping experiential dining and the next generation of customer expectations.
SPEAKERS
- Chef Om Nayak, Chef & Founder, The Pasta Bowl Company, Bombay Meri Jaan, Chef Om’s Hospitality
- Mr. Angad Singh, Director, Kake Di Hatti
- Mr. Sahil Baweja, Director – Pendulo, Potions, Chica Loca by Sunny Leone & Boombox (Perseva Partners)
- Ms. Sukriti Chopra, Co-founder, Ninecamp Ventures (Marieta Kitchen & Bar, Hikki and Mr Button)
- Ms. Puja Sahu, Founder, The Potbelly
- Mr. Vikas Shukla, Head of Leasing, Boba Bhai
6:10 PM - 6:45 PM
Session 8: From Farm to Fork: Shaping the Future of Conscious Dining
- Understanding the shift toward healthier, cleaner, and more mindful eating habits.
- Strengthening farm-to-fork ecosystems through quality sourcing and ingredient traceability.
- Integrating organic, clean-label, and naturally sourced ingredients into modern dining experiences.
- Reimagining menus to align wellness, nutrition, and evolving lifestyle preferences.
- Exploring the growing role of functional foods and wellness-led innovations.
- Creating meaningful food experiences through transparency and informed consumer choices.
- Examining future trends shaping the next generation of healthy dining.
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Gurmeet Arora, Founder & CEO, Flax- Healthy Living
- Chef Lata Tondon, Consultant – Restaurant & StartUp Ayurveda & Wellness Expert, Former Guinness World Record Holder
- Mr. Parthsarthi Gupta, Chief Financial Officer, Salad Days
Day 2
SEPT 30, 2026
09:00 AM ONWARDS
Conference Registration along with Networking Tea
10:00 AM - 10:05 AM
WELCOME ADDRESS
10:05 AM - 10:15 AM
INAUGURAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Curry, Culture & Craft: Decoding India’s Culinary Identity
Chef Davinder Kumar, Vice President, Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi & President, Indian Culinary Forum
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Session 9: Future-Proofing Cloud Kitchens: Scaling Smart in a Dynamic Food Ecosystem
- Driving Operational Excellence through Automation & AI
- Standing Out in a Saturated Market
- Ensuring Consistency: Quality, Safety & Hygiene at Scale
- Tech Stack that Matters: Choosing the Right Tools for Growth
- Sustainable & Responsible Packaging as a Brand Driver
- Customer Retention & Brand Recall in a Digital-First World
- The Rise of Hybrid Models & Multi-Brand Kitchens
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Porus Arora, Founder & CEO, Enoki Hospitality | Founder, Dream Oven Group,
Cloud – Kitchen & Multi – Brand Restaurant Entrepreneur – Delhi NCR, India - Mr. Randeep Bajaj, Founder, Ambrosia Hospitality
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
KEYNOTE SESSION
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
Session 10: Hospitality Leadership: Talent and Culture for a New Era
- Strategies for winning the “talent wars” by attracting and growing the right people.
- Building a people-forward environment in hotels and multi-unit groups.
- Leadership agility in a volatile and fast-evolving hospitality landscape.
- Implementing training frameworks that create lifelong hospitality professionals.
- Promoting gender diversity and inclusivity to meet modern workforce expectations.
- Developing crisis response playbooks for operations and reputation management.
SPEAKERS
- Chef Ramasamy Selvaraju, Corporate Chef, Taj Group of Hotels
- Mr. Kush Kapoor, CEO & Director – Roseate Hotels & Resorts
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT:
The Glocal Blueprint: Building Multi-Brand Success Across Markets
Mr. Ranjit Paliath, CEO, Lite Bite Foods Pvt. Ltd. (Punjab Grill, YouMee, Zambar, Street Foods by Punjab Grill, Asia Seven, Tres and Hahn’s Kitchen)
Mr. Sameer Singh, Head of Strategic Expansion, Gourmet Investments Hospitality Group (GIHG), (PizzaExpress, P.F. Chang’s, Olive Garden and Chili’s)
12:15 PM - 01:05 PM
Session 11: Culinary Creativity and Menu Innovation
- Navigating the balance between hyperlocal flavors and global formats.
- Ingredient innovation focusing on millets, microgreens, and plant-based alternatives.
- Seasonal engineering to maintain cost consistency and menu variety.
- The rise of chef-driven storytelling and experiential gastronomy.
- Elevating food standards through intensive Menu R&D.
- Creative plating and design trends tailored for modern Indian dining.
SESSION LEAD
- Chef Rakesh Sethi, Corporate Executive Chef, Operations, South Asia Radisson Hotel Group
SPEAKERS
- Chef Montu Saini, Executive Chef – PHCU, Sr. Executive Chef – President’s Secretariat
(June 2015 – August 2020), Former Member Le Club Des Chefs Des Chefs (CCC)
(Since 2015 – 2020 , As special guest in General Assembly Meet in 2023), CCC – Club Of Personal Chefs Of Heads Of States & The World’s Most Exclusive Gastronomic Society - Chef Vineet Manocha, Head- Culinary Innovation & Production, Devyani International Ltd. (KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, Vaango)
- Chef Suvir Saran, Culinary Director, Avas Wellness | Author of Tell My Mother I Like Boys
- Chef K. Thiru, Founding Dean, The School of Hospitality Management, Mahindra University
- Chef Koushik S., Chef, Founder, Eatitude Consultants, MasterChef Tamil Judge & TEDx Speaker
- Chef Vinod Bhati, Executive Member, Indian Culinary Forum, IFCA, WACS
- Mr. Rahul Bahl, Deputy General Manager (North) – Food Services, Tata Consumer Products
- Chef Vaibhav Bhargava, Food Consultant, Director of Abv Hospitalities Pvt Ltd
1:05 PM – 1:50 PM
NETWORKING LUNCH
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
AWARDS REGISTRATION
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM
KEYNOTE SESSION
Ms. Rashmi Uday Singh, Author of 40 food books, TV host, conferred the French government’s Chevalier knighthood. Founder of the non-profit global Hospitality Hope
3:10 PM - 3:50 PM
1ST SET OF AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED
3:50 PM - 4:40 PM
Session 12: Scaling and Expansion: From Homegrown to National
- Driving Operational Excellence through Automation & AI
- Standing Out in a Saturated Market
- Ensuring Consistency: Quality, Safety & Hygiene at Scale
- Tech Stack that Matters: Choosing the Right Tools for Growth
- Sustainable & Responsible Packaging as a Brand Driver
- Customer Retention & Brand Recall
- The Rise of Hybrid Models & Multi-Brand Kitchens
SPEAKERS
- Mr. Anand Krishnan, Managing Director, Vasanta Bhavan Hotels Private Limited
- Ms. Sunita Reddy, Chief Architect, ACME Designers
- Chef Rajmani Upadhyay, Chef, Restaurateur, Consultant & Founder/Director- Concept Canvas
4:40 PM - 4:50 PM
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Global Trend, Local Opportunity: Why Cage free is India next competitive edge
Mr. Siddharth Sharma, Manager – Corporate Engagement, Farm Animals Protection, Humane World for Animals