ISH and EUNIC reinforce culinary education as cultural diplomacy in third edition collaboration

Gurugram, December 15, 2025: Indian School of Hospitality concluded the third edition of its ongoing collaboration with the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), underscoring a clear belief: cuisine remains one of the most effective ways to build cultural understanding, particularly when embedded within formal education.

Over the course of this edition, European embassies from Austria, Czechia, France, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine engaged directly with ISH students through structured culinary masterclasses and live demonstrations at the Gurugram campus. These sessions formed the academic core of the collaboration, positioning the kitchen as a classroom where culture, technique, and context intersected.

Rather than operating as standalone cultural showcases, the programme followed a common EUNIC framework that emphasised continuity and collective intent. Students were exposed to how European cuisines are shaped by geography, history, seasonality, and social ritual, allowing them to understand hospitality as a cultural discipline rather than a transactional skill.

The collaboration culminated in the European Christmas Brunch, hosted by the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Centre, Delhi, and theEmbassy of Hungary in New Delhi. The closing event brought together eminent guests who experienced a curated menu inspired by the culinary traditions explored during the programme, marking the conclusion of the third edition of the partnership.

Speaking on the collaboration, Kunal Vasudeva, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Indian School of Hospitality, said,
“We have been doing this consistently, and this is the third time we have brought this collaboration to life. Each edition builds on the last. Each time, a new group of students passes through these kitchens, engages with cultures directly, and carries that learning forward. Over time, they become cultural and culinary ambassadors in their own right. Cuisine is inherently global, and when education treats it with seriousness and respect, it prepares professionals who understand people before products. That is why we keep doing this.”

For ISH students, the third edition provided sustained international exposure through repeated engagement with European cultural institutions. The experience strengthened cultural literacy alongside technical competence, preparing them to operate confidently in diverse hospitality environments.

Through its continued partnership with EUNIC, ISH reinforces its position as an academic institution where global cultures are explored through practice-led education, contributing to a broader discourse on the role of culinary learning in cultural exchange and global citizenship.