Skill, Scale, and Spirit Take Centre Stage at the 8th AHP Hospitality Challenge 2025

New Delhi, July 11, 2025:The 8th edition of the AHP Hospitality Challenge 2025concluded on a high note this July bringing together over350 participantswhich included India’s most dedicated hospitality students, young professionals, and specially-abled talent on a single national platform to compete in more than20 hospitality categories. Organised by theAssociation of Hospitality Professionals (AHP), the annual event once again delivered a high-energy, skills-first experience that showcased the talent, commitment, and precision that define the Indian service industry. Following the competitions, AHP will host the highly anticipatedAHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2025atThe Suryaa, New Delhi on July 30, 2025.

A defining element of this year’s event was the inclusivity woven into every segment, thanks toSashakt – Empowering Special Ability Professionals. This initiative enabled individuals with special abilities to participate in core hospitality competitions, specifically in Housekeeping and Food & Beverage Service categories. With no separate tracks or judging standards, these professionals competed on equal footing—standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers in a powerful testament to AHP’s belief that talent deserves visibility, not limitations.

The competitions took place from3rd to 9th July 2025at some of Delhi’s, leading hospitality venues.Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Managementhosted theCulinary Challenge, where aspiring chefs displayed precision, speed, creativity, and kitchen discipline under timed conditions.The Suryaa, New Delhihosted theWar of Spirits and Art of Table Setting, spotlighting perfection in elegant presentation. Front office operations took the spotlight atNovotel City Centre, New Delhiduring theFront Office Master competition, where participants simulated guest-handling scenarios with a focus on professionalism and real-time problem-solving. The series concludedwith Art of Bed Making and Art of Towel FoldingatRadisson Blu, Paschim Vihar, where participants demonstrated impeccable attention to detail, speed and aesthetic skill in a domain that is essential yet often underappreciated.

Each competition was evaluated by anexperienced panel of 50 jury memberscomprising senior chefs, GMs, front office managers, F&B experts, and housekeepers from leading hospitality brands and institutes. The participants were judged not just on techniques, but also on hygiene, creativity, communication, and ability to perform under pressure.

“This is what AHP was built for— to spotlight the people behind the experience,”saidVinod Gulati, President of AHP Executive Committee.“Each competition this year was a showcase of professionalism, teamwork, and rising talent.”

“Every participant— whether folding a towel or finishing a plated dessert— brought pride, passion, and purpose to the platform,”saidDevipshita Gautam, Founder and Chairperson of AHP.“These competitions are not just tests of skill, but celebrations of intent and effort— values at the core of great hospitality.”

“The level of energy, confidence, and commitment we saw this year is inspiring,” saidSunil Bangwal,Governing Body Committee Member of AHP.“It’s clear that the next generation of hospitality professionals—irrespective of background or ability—is ready to raise the bar and redefine excellence in the industry.”

The competitions will culminate in theAHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2025, to be held on30th July at The Suryaa, New Delhi, where the most outstanding individuals and institutions from the hospitality industry will be honored across multiple categories including theHospitality Excellence Awards,Tourism Excellence AwardsandFood Awards.

TheAssociation of Hospitality Professionals (AHP)is a registered not-for-profit organisation under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. With a focus on skill benchmarking, professional growth, and inclusion, AHP curated national- level competitions, recognition platforms, and learning initiatives that celebrate the spirit and talent of India’s hospitality workforce. Through its inclusive philosophy and industry partnerships, AHP continues to shape a more skilled, visible, and diverse future for the hospitality ecosystem.