Author: Khwaish Hingad

-By Mohit Kamboj, Group CEO, Aspect Global Ventures Pvt Ltd Indian festive seasons usher in a wave of celebrations, parties, and naturally, eating out. For restaurants, it is a double-edged sword with gigantic business prospects but also creating operational hurdles. Fulfilling the demand spikes with the promise of consistent quality of service needs to be managed with more than conventional planning. Artificial intelligence (AI)-backed demand forecasting has now become a revolutionizing tool, helping restaurants effectively plan for festive surges. Historically, restaurateurs used experience, intuition, or past records to project festive demand. Though these gave an overall idea of customer flow,…

THIS ARTICLE IS POWERED BY – By Suhas Naik, Co-Owner of SARVA Foods, Boston MA

-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org)

-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org) Radisson Blu Plaza, Banjara Hills, invites the city’s food enthusiasts to experience the rich culinary heritage of Tamil Nadu with the Kongunadu Food Festival, from September 12th to 21st, 2025, at Chill Restaurant & Terrace, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant featuring world cuisine. Curated by Master Chef Gowthamn, the festival celebrates the earthy, wholesome, and deeply traditional flavours of Kongu Nadu — a region renowned for its rustic cooking, bold use of spices, and farm-to-table recipes passed down through generations. Guests will savour iconic dishes such as Vazhapoo Vada (banana flower fritters), Kambu Dosa (pearl millet…

-Khwaish Hingad (cbedit@imaws.org) The Tamil Nadu Hotel Owners Association has announced a comprehensive statewide boycott of American food and beverage products, marking a decisive response to the 50% tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian exports. The boycott, effective immediately, affects approximately 100,000 hotels and restaurants across the state and represents one of the most significant industry-led protests against US trade policies. Strategic Response to Punitive US Tariffs The boycott directly responds to the Trump administration’s escalating trade war against India. Starting August 27, 2025, the United States implemented a devastating 50% tariff rate on Indian exports, doubling the…

-KH News Desk (cdedit@imaws.org)

-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org) At an intimate gathering at Soho House Mumbai, Ember, India’s first 100% non-toxic non-stick cookware brand, announced a defining new chapter in its journey with celebrated chef and entrepreneur Saransh Goila joining as an investor and partner. The evening brought together voices from the world of food, design, and lifestyle to celebrate a shared vision: reimagining the Indian kitchens. Against the backdrop of conversations, live plating, and immersive experiences, Ember and Saransh unveiled their partnership that blends culinary insight with product innovation. Best known for his deep exploration of Indian cooking culture, Saransh brings to Ember…

-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org) India’s food processing market currently contributes 7.7% of manufacturing output and supports more than 7 million jobs across the country. Driven by rising consumption and a push for global exports, the sector’s rapid acceleration stems from organic food expansion, premium product launches, and advances in food ingredients and packaging. The integration of AI-powered automation and smart packaging is setting new benchmarks for safety, quality, and logistics, according to experts at the event. The Organic Boom: Fastest-Growing Segment The organic food market in India is a standout, now valued at $1.9 billion in 2024 and projected to…

-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org) India’s hospitality players have responded with optimism to the GST Council’s announcement, stating that reducing hotel room tax rates ahead of the festive and wedding season will boost both leisure and business travel. Rajiv Mehra of FAITH emphasized that the reform is likely to raise occupancy rates and spur package bookings—especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where affordable rooms will see higher demand. Nikhil Sharma, COO of Radisson Hotel Group – South Asia, described the tax cut as “making quality hospitality more accessible for India’s growing middle class,” further reinforcing domestic tourism demand. Hotels expect occupancy…

-Khwaish Hingad (cbedit@imaws.org) The Indian government’s recent GST rationalization, consolidating multiple tax slabs into a clearer two-tier structure of 5% and 18%, marks a transformative moment for various industries. This reform, effective from September 22, 2025, is being widely celebrated by business leaders for its potential to stimulate consumer demand, enhance operational transparency, and provide a much-needed boost to key sectors like hospitality, F&B, consumer durables, and dairy. By simplifying the tax regime, the government is not only reducing compliance burdens but also creating a more predictable and investor-friendly environment. The new framework is expected to make products and services…