Author: Swaminathan Balasubramanian

ADVERTISEMENT

-KH News Desk Erode Amman Mess (EAM), the Tamil Nadu-origin restaurant brand built around the culinary traditions of the Kongu Nadu region, has opened its first outlet in Bengaluru — marking the brand’s entry into the domestic expansion market after nearly a decade of building an international footprint. The Bengaluru outlet is the 15th location in the EAM network, which currently operates 14 outlets across international markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Qatar, with units in Abu Dhabi, Johor Bahru, Melbourne, and Sydney reported to be in the pipeline. Having built a strong foundation in Tamil Nadu, EAM…

he space unfolds like a narrative told through material and memory with every surface, fixture, and structural decision as an act of cultural storytelling

Partners with Mimin to help hotels automate guest journeys and address rising demand for digital, multilingual experiences

ITCHL will now have a combined presence of 17 properties in Uttar Pradesh

-By B Swaminathan (swami@imaws.org) Walk the floors of FHA 2026 in Singapore, and one thing is clear — Southeast Asia’s food service industry is no longer just emerging. It has arrived. Hotel kitchens are scaling up, quick service chains are expanding into smaller cities, and the bakery and beverage scene is booming from Hanoi to Jakarta. Dairy, once seen as a product category with little local relevance in this part of the world, is now one of the most contested ingredients on the shelf. In the middle of all this stands Anchor Food Professionals (AFP), the food service arm of…

B Swaminathan (swami@imaws.org) Surat: The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Surat Chapter has issued a strategic call to the Union Government, urging the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Hospitality. The association argues that the sector—currently estimated at a reported six lakh crores but potentially three to four times larger in the unorganized space—suffers from a lack of institutional recognition that stifles its potential as India’s second-largest employer. Ashwin Singh, Chapter Head of NRAI Surat, speaking exclusively with Kitchen Herald, emphasized that without a singular governing body, the industry remains tethered to archaic regulations. “Our primary expectation is that…

-Vacancy Advertisement (cbedit@imaws.org) Veda Hospitality Services Private Limited is a dynamic startup founded by specialists who blend legacy-driven methodologies with modern innovation in catering and hospitality services. From commercial, industrial, and institutional catering to geriatric nutrition, facility management, contract food services, and patient meal subscriptions, we bring thoughtful care and operational excellence to every aspect of our work.   Position of Hiring: CHEF – In charge (2 Vacancies) Sous chef – (7 vacancies) Hiring Location: Chennai (Salary will not be a constraint for the right candidate) Key Responsibilities: Supervising Kitchen Staff: Leading and managing the kitchen team, including line…

BEST WISHES FROM

-KH News Desk RateGain Travel Technologies, a global provider of SaaS solutions for the hospitality and travel industry, has formed a strategic alliance with Razorpay, a prominent Indian payments and banking platform. This partnership is set to redefine digital payment experiences within India’s burgeoning hotel sector. The core of this collaboration involves integrating Razorpay’s robust and secure payment gateway directly into RateGain’s hotel booking engine. This integration is designed to provide hotel guests with an incredibly smooth, effortless, and versatile digital payment journey. Guests will now have access to a comprehensive array of payment options, including popular methods like UPI…