Redefining Excellence & Raising a Toast to India’s HoReCa Industry at FCIA 2025

The Food Connoisseurs India Awards 2025 unfolded on 31st July 2025 at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in New Delhi in a whole new avatar, one never witnessed before, bringing together the boldest innovators and trailblazers who are paving the future of hospitality in India. India’s HoReCa industry today stands at the cusp of extraordinary growth, driven by rising consumer aspirations, global culinary influences, rapid digitization and a renewed emphasis on experience-led dining. The sector has now become a powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurship, wooing global investors, tech giants and culinary talent alike. From sustainable practices to the rise of cloud kitchens and from fine dining establishments redefining luxury to cafés creating vibrant community spaces, the hospitality and foodservice (HoReCa) landscape is more dynamic than ever before.

Close to 250 awards across various categories were presented to more than 800 F&B stalwarts, including top chefs, restaurateurs, food influencers, investors, F&B industry leaders and media luminaries. The ninth edition of the Food Connoisseurs India Awards – National Edition (FCIA) 2025, an initiative by Industry Live and presented by Tribe Kombucha, was supported by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), where Rhythm Natural Mineral Water was the ‘Hydration Partner’ and Medusa Beverages elevated the atmosphere as the ‘Celebration Partner’. ZEE Business was the ‘Telecast Partner’ and Radio City India was the ‘Radio Partner’.

Strengthening the industry’s collaborative spirit, our ‘Supporting Associations’ were the Indian Culinary Forum, Tea Coffee Association, All India Food Processors' Association (AIFPA) and India Food Tourism Organisation. World of Hospitality and Hospitality Lexis were the ‘Media Partners’, while the warmth of gifting was brought to life by Gramiyaa, Toffee Doodle and Bee Celebration as our ‘Gift Partners’. This landmark event not only celebrated achievements but also highlighted the evolving priorities of the sector—sustainability, digital adoption and customer-centric innovation.

This year’s edition attracted participants from across the country, including celebrated chefs, visionary restaurateurs, hoteliers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and rising culinary stars. The Awards consisted of an impeccable panel of jury, including Padma Shree Awardee Dr. Pushpesh Pant, Indian Academician, Food Critic and Historian, Chef Hemant Oberoi, Founder, OB Hospitality & Hemant Oberoi Hospitality; Founder, Michelin Selection Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, One Toque by Gault&Millau, Mr. Zorawar Kalra, Founder & Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd, Chef Kunal Kapur, Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, TV Personality, Judge (MasterChef India), Author & Food Researcher, Chef Davinder Kumar, Vice President, Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi & President, Indian Culinary Forum, Chef Ajay Chopra, Chefpreneur, Restaurateur, Consultant & Judge (MasterChef India), Ms. Shatbhi Basu, Creative Consultants & STIR Academy Of Bartending, Chef Sanjyot Keer, Celebrity Chef, Founder, Your Food Lab, Content Creator, Food Brand Adviser, Dr. (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 Chalapathi Rao, Cuisine Designer & Partner – Simply South, MasterChef India (Telugu) Judge, TEDx Speaker, Chef Michael Swamy, Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur, Food Stylist, Author, Chef Gautam Mehrishi, Corporate Executive Chef, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, Chef Vineet Manocha, President – Culinary at Bikaji Foods International Ltd, The Kachori Story & Author and Chef Sherry Mehta, CEO, The Nomad Foodie, Award winning Chef Restauranteur, F&B Consultant, Food TV Show Judge, Pop-up Specialist.

Excellence across multiple award categories honoured both established leaders and disruptive newcomers, showcasing the breadth of talent and innovation fuelling the sector’s growth throughout India. The industry is evolving into a globally competitive ecosystem that values sustainability, creativity and collaboration. By honouring excellence and encouraging dialogue on the sector’s opportunities and challenges, the event reaffirmed its role as the premier stage for India’s hospitality leaders.

A few of the acclaimed award recipients include:

Tim Hortons India received a prestigious award for the ‘Best Café of the Year- INDIA’, Cornell for the ‘Emerging Food Tech of the Year’, International School of Culinary Arts, New Delhi for the ‘Best Culinary School of the Year’, Jars N’ More for the ‘Best Newcomer Cafe – North’, OG by the Lake for ‘Best Newcomer Restaurant (East)’ and AsianKatha-Tales of Taste received for ‘Emerging Restaurant Serving the Best Pan-Asian Cuisine’, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Celebrity Chef Coach Restauranter received for ‘Celebrity Chef of the Year’, Sidecar received for ‘Most Innovative Menu – Beverage’, Kwality Restaurant received for ‘Emerging Restaurant Serving the best Chole Bhature’, Mr. Anubhav Sapra, Food Explorer & Founder – Delhi Food Walks received for ‘Food Vlogger of the Year’, Amit Gothwal, Executive Chef, The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi received for ‘Executive Chef of the Year’ and Guppy received for ‘Restaurant Serving the best Japanese Cuisine’.