Restaurant India show Agenda 2025 | Culinary & Hospitality Talks

Conference Agenda

Restaurant Summit

HoCat Summit

Fuelling Growth: Capital, Concepts, Consumption

The restaurant industry thrives at the intersection of bold ideas, strategic investment, and evolving consumer demand. This theme explores how access to capital, innovative concepts, and shifting patterns of consumption are shaping the future of dining. From funding models and scalable formats to consumer-driven trends, the discussions will spotlight how restaurateurs can fuel sustainable growth while staying relevant in an ever-changing marketplace.

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Welcome note and inauguration

Sachin Marya

Editorial Director, Entrepreneur India

10:30 - 11:15 AM

Inaugural Session
The State of Affairs for Restaurant & Food Services – 2025 Outlook

Moderator:

Sagar Jagdish Daryani

Founder and CEO, Wow! Momo Foods Pvt Ltd.

Speakers:

Ranveer Brar

Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Actor and Author
Aditi Dugar

Director & Founder, Masque & Urban Gourmet India Pvt. Ltd.

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11:15 AM - 11:30 PM

Entrepreneur’s Restaurateur Cover Launch

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Networking Tea

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Capital Flows: What’s Attracting Investor Attention

Franchising, PE/VC, and strategic acquisitions
Long-term sustainability—where to invest in 2025 and beyond
Addressing the talent crunch and professionalizing the workforce

Moderator:

Pradyumna Nag

Founder & CEO, Prequate Advisory

Speakers:

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1:00 - 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch

2:00 - 3:00 PM

The Growth Capital: Unlocking the Real Potential of the Biz Restaurant

Going Global: Redefining Innovation in Food & Business
Building brand beyond the four walls
Large spaces, bigger investments: What’s pushing the growth metric

Moderator:

Anurag Katriar

Founder, Indigo Hospitality

Speakers:

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3:00 - 3:45 PM

Experience Economy: The Future of Dining

Handcrafted foods, off beat experience, multi-food moment - the emerging trends for Diners
Quality over quantity: Better Food, more food is the way to go
Menus Built for Scale: How can your menu development adjust from daily chef specials based on the latest trend to a more consistent and cost-effective strategy.

Moderator:

Nikhil K. Rochlani

Managing Partner, Butterfly & Kyma

Speakers:

Chef Sarfaraz Ahmed

Corporate Executive Chef, Passion F&B Cuisine – Avatara, Tresind
Aditi Malikk

Actor & Co-founder, Green Turtle Hospitality

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3:45 - 4:30 PM

From Plate to Place: Rethinking Design in Dining

Plating as storytelling
The ambience equation: Designing spaces
Sustainability in design

Moderator:

Keith Menon

Award winning Designer, Architect and Sustainable Visionary

Speakers:

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4:30 - 5:00 PM

Transforming your Biz for Growth: Redefining Food Business through Delivery & Innovation

Evolving kitchens economics: Getting your store operations ready for delivery
Business reinvention: New tech, New Menu and New Commerce
Making quality seamless: How to win your offline customer’s loyalty in online landscape
Offline to online: Journey of innovation

Moderator:

Rohan Mehrotra

Founding Member, Charcoal Eats

Speakers:

Paras Gori

Business Head (Franchising) at Rebel Foods
Ayush Sahani

Owner, Ministry of Naan
Sandeep Singh

CEO, Aspect Hospitality

Sahil Vora

Co-Founder, Moussetruck

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5:00 - 5:15 PM

Keynote Session

Speakers:

Narayan Poojari

Founder, Shiv Sagar Group

5:15 - 6:00 PM

After Hours: Redefining Nightlife Economy

The evolving DNA of Nightlife
Beyond Drinks: Innovation, Experience and Integration
Economic impact: how a thriving nightlife scene drives tourism, hospitality, and local employment

Moderator:

Pawan Shahri

Co-Founder, Chrome Hospitality

Speakers:

Syesha Kapoor

Associate Director, Aspect Hospitality
Dishant Pritamani

Founder, Luna Hospitality

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HoCat 2025 – Hotel & Catering F&B Conclave

Shaping the future of India’s hospitality and catering industry, HoCat 2025 brings together hoteliers, caterers, chefs, investors, and F&B innovators to explore trends, innovations, and growth opportunities in the HoReCa sector.

10:30 Onwards

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Premium F&B showcase — coffee, bakery, juices, at Trufrost & Butler Lounge

10:45 - 11:30 AM

India on Plate: The Next Growth Frontier

Key market signals attracting expansion
India’s Consumer Boom: The Scale of Opportunity
Cracking “Global-Local” Menu Strategy
Finding the Right Entry Model
Winning India’s Operational Challenges

Moderator:

Ashita Marya

CEO, Franchise India

Speakers:

Gabriel Melniciuc

Founder and CEO, Spartan
Matthew Smith

VP Franchising, Blenz Coffee

Sandeep Alexander

Rollout Partner, Cinnzeo Bakery Cafe
Tony White

Cofounder, White Stone Capital
Christian Jordan Mailoa

Head of International Franchise Development, Sour Sally
Katie McNamara

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11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Revenue Strategies

Turning Hotel Restaurants & Catering into Profit Engines
Menu engineering, banquets, delivery, and hybrid business models

Moderator:

Sachin Marya

Editorial Director, Restaurant India & Entrepreneur APAC

Speakers:

Rajiv Kapoor

General Manager, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Mumbai

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12:15 - 01:00 PM

Guest Experience & Brand Identity

From Hotel Buffets to Grand Catering Events: Designing Memorable F&B Journeys
How food defines the guest journey and brand positioning

Moderator:

Paul Noronha

Executive Chef, ITC Maratha

Speakers

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1:00 - 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch & Live F&B Showcase

Regional & global cuisines, beverage pairings, live cooking stations

2:00 - 2:45 PM

Culinary Leadership Spotlight

The Chef’s Table: Hotels, Catering & Culinary Creativity
Top chefs discuss innovation, sustainability, and future menus

Moderator:

Chef Ishijyot Surri

Executive Chef & Founder, SJI Hospitality

speakers:

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2:45 - 3:30 PM

CEO Leadership Panel: Investment & Financing

Hotel & Catering Business Models for Growth
How leading brands are blending signature dining, banqueting, and catering extensions
Investing in Hotel & Catering F&B – The New Asset Class

Moderator :