Adesh Kumar – “Masala Man” and Visionary Leader in Indian Spices Adesh Kumar, fondly known as the “Masala Man,” is a visionary leader who has redefined India’s spice and food innovation landscape. Beginning his career in 2004 with Big Bazaar, he gained extensive experience across leading retailers such as Spencers, Reliance Retail, ABRL, and Carplus (Lucas TVS). His journey took a transformative turn in 2014 when he ventured into the spices category—turning a traditional commodity into a dynamic retail segment through innovation and consumer insight. In June 2025, he was appointed Business Director – Market Development and Innovation at Keya Foods, where he leads initiatives in portfolio diversification, HoReCa expansion, exports, and operational excellence. Under his leadership, Keya Foods is emerging as a global culinary brand that fuses India’s rich heritage of flavors with modern, international tastes—cementing Adesh Kumar’s reputation as one of the most forward-thinking figures in the Indian food industry.

Ajit G.S has swiftly emerged as one of Bengaluru’s most exciting new-age hospitality disruptors.
His flagship venture, Central Bar District (CBD), is a bold reimagination of the neighbourhood bar — where world-class mixology meets inclusive, high-energy community culture. Built around mixologist Aman Dua’s award-winning cocktail program, CBD has quickly become a benchmark in Bengaluru’s nightlife scene, celebrated for its playful vibe, city-centric storytelling, and outstanding bar program.

Under Ajit’s leadership, CBD is now evolving into a five-outlet ecosystem across Bengaluru — with one in each direction of the city: North, South, East, West, and Central — symbolizing the brand’s deep connection to the city’s metro map and its diverse urban pulse.

Beyond nightlife, Crimson Hospitality operates a thriving multi-brand food court at Helios Business Park, serving over 10,000 corporate employees daily. The portfolio includes beloved brands such as Café Del Sol, Rasai, The Curry Express, Chat Chatore, and Bento Lab — each designed to bring freshness, flavour, and accessibility to everyday dining.

Akash Srivastava is a seasoned Retail and Hospitality professional with 11 years of experience across Business Development, Retail Real Estate, Leasing, Project Management, Franchising & Market Entry strategy and holds a Masters degree in Retail Management.

Akash is currently strategizing & spearheading the Store expansion for Jubilant foodworks across India for all their brands. Akash has been instrumental in setting up and establishing the business development for Chaayos – one of India’s most loved Chai cafés opening over 50 stores across multiple cities and formats.

Prior to Chaayos, he has ably lead the store expansion for Tata Starbucks during their fastest growth years in India and managed business development for KFC as well.

Akash has networked extensively with major real estate developers across India to procure the finest real estate for brands. He has launched over 100 outlets across Malls, Highstreets, Airports, Highways, Hospitals, Metro Stations and various other retail Channels.

Akash is an Alumni Advisor with Birla Institute of Management ( BIMTECH) for their academic advisory committee and voluntarily contributes for the National Skill development council of India ( NSDC) advising the Govt. on curriculum formulation for Retail Entrepreneurs in India.

Akash works with an entrepreneurial bent of mind, is ownership driven and has strong business acumen to lead the teams in achieving organizational objectives.

Akash is a regular speaker at various retail forums, including CII, PhD chamber of commerce, Food forums, Shopping centre forums and various other summits.

Akshay Kumar is a hospitality entrepreneur and visionary in India’s food and retail landscape. He is the founder of Bombay Gourmet Market, a first-mover in taking gourmet retail beyond metros into tier-2 and tier-3 cities, making premium products accessible to new markets. He also leads Dinshaw’s Café, a cult favourite for Bombay-Parsi comfort food, alongside other café and QSR ventures. With a sharp focus on franchising, scalability, and consumer experience, Akshay has built brands that are both aspirational and sustainable. His pioneering approach continues to set benchmarks, positioning him among the next generation of impactful F&B leaders in India.

Aleesha Desai is a seasoned professional with over 15+ years of rich experience across various verticals. She currently heads the Marketing function at Baskin Robbins India prior to which she has worked with renowned organizations such as Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages and Raw Pressery. Through her professional journey, she has worked in various capacities including leadership roles.
Aleesha is known for her strategic vision, creative prowess and drive for results. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a certified deep-sea diver, reflecting her adventurous spirit. She is instrumental in driving innovative and impactful marketing strategies at Baskin Robbins India, making her a key contributor to the overall business as well as to the industry.

Alina’s journey with Mitti Café began with a dream to showcase the abilities of individuals with disabilities and a belief in equal opportunities for all. At 23, with no startup capital and facing countless rejections, she relied on community support to bring her vision to life. From donated equipment to a simple table under an umbrella, her initiative grew into the world’s largest chain of cafés run entirely by persons with disabilities.

Today, Mitti Café operates in nearly 50 locations across India, including prestigious sites like the Supreme Court, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and major airports. Leaders such as Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, President Droupadi Murmu, and Infosys founder Narayana Murthy have lauded her efforts, with the Defence Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurating Mitti Cafés, sending a powerful message of inclusion. In 2024, Alina received the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities from the President of India. She has also been listed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and has received national and international recognition from the United Nations, Commonwealth, NITI Aayog, UNESCO, Rotary, and TieCon for her impactful work.

Under her leadership, Mitti Café has created over 6,000 livelihoods, served 11 million meals, and provided 6 million “Karuna Meals” to vulnerable communities. For Alina, Mitti Café is not just a café—it’s a global movement for dignity, empowerment, and inclusion, aiming to transform a billion lives.

Amir is from Jordan and came to India in March 2020 to start Tru Falafel. After riding out the pandemic in the years 2020 and 2021, he was finally able to open his first outlet and central kitchen in October ’21 in Marol, Andheri East. By focusing on the authenticity of the recipes he grew up with, maintaining the quality and consistency with every order, he has managed to grow Tru Falafel into Mumbai’s best selling Lebanese QSR. Since inception, Tru Falafel has now become a household name for everything Middle Eastern, from Falafels, Shawarmas, various Hummus and Mezzes strategically spread across their 8 outlets across the city. The key to that success being quality ingredients, fast service, affordable pricing, a focus on profitability and just being the tastiest out there!

Amit Bagga, a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary leader, is the Co-founder, CEO & CMO of Daryaganj Hospitality which owns the brand Daryaganj – by the Inventors of Butter Chicken & Dal Makhani.

His remarkable journey in hospitality reflects exceptional business acumen, unwavering perseverance, and a resolute commitment to excellence. Guided by his dynamic leadership, DARYAGANJ has risen prominently, resiliently navigating challenges to not only endure but flourish.

Daryaganj has now expanded to 15 outlets and proudly stepped onto the global stage with its international foray in Bangkok.

Amit’s innovative prowess and attention to detail, drive his pursuit of excellence, culminating in many accolades like “RESTAURANT ICON OF THE YEAR” by Economic Times, “ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR” by International Hospitality Council, London “RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR” by Big F, FCIC & MSME India.

Amit also holds the position of Delhi Co-Chapter Head at the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), the country’s largest and most influential body for the restaurant industry.

Under his leadership Daryaganj Brand has won 60 plus popular awards for varied categories since its inception in 2019. His journey also includes being featured on SHARK TANK INDIA, solidifying his reputation as a visionary entrepreneur.

A sought-after speaker, he envisions leveraging technology with AI and data analytics for better operations and a great customer experience.

Amit Chakrabortty is a visionary R&D and innovation leader with over two decades of experience shaping the future of consumer brands across India, the UK, and the USA. As Head of R&D at Reliance Consumer Brands, he leads groundbreaking initiatives across food, beverages, home, and personal care — building one of the fastest growing FMCG business across categories. An entrepreneur at heart, Amit founded FEVO, a 100% natural tea-based soft drink brand that reimagines refreshment with wellness and sustainability at its core.

His journey from the labs of Unilever and GSK to the boardrooms of India’s largest conglomerate reflects a deep passion for transforming science into products that touch millions of lives. Amit’s leadership philosophy blends curiosity, courage, and compassion — inspiring teams to push boundaries and create meaningful impact. His talks explore innovation strategy, sustainability-driven R&D, entrepreneurial thinking, and leading global teams for breakthrough success.

Anand hails from Chennai and he is a passionate South Indian foodies and an avid traveller exploring the culture and heritage of India. Inspired by his grandmother’s recipes he started Sweet Karam Coffee in 2015, a South Indian food brand on a mission to take the taste and tales of South India to the world. The brand aims to offer authentic homestyle recipes with clean ingredients and innovative packaging. Sweet Karam Coffee recently got featured in the list of Forbes Asia 100 startups to watch 2025. Anand earlier worked with Unilever for 12yrs and his diverse experience in the FMCG sector helped him to builld SKC as one of the pioneers in globalising our traditional food from South India. He is a proud alumini of the College of Engineering Guindy campus and he also holds a masters in retail management.

Anand Rathi, born on 27th May 1987, is the Director of Empire Spices & Foods Ltd., a leading name in the Indian packaged food industry, known for its trusted household brands Rambandhu and Temptin’.

An alumnus of Silver Oak School, Nashik, Anand spent a transformative year in Belgium through the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program before graduating from Elphinstone College, Mumbai. He went on to complete his post-graduation in Marketing from the Management Development Institute of Singapore.

With over 15 years of experience in the family business, Anand has worked across multiple functions, driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic growth. In his current role, he plays a pivotal part in shaping the company’s long-term vision, expanding market presence, and building strategies for sustainable growth.

Beyond business, Anand is deeply committed to social impact and nation-building. He actively contributes to platforms like ASCENT, Young Indians, and Nashik Round Table 107, aligning his leadership with community development and collaborative progress.

Anil Thontepu is the Co-Founder of SuperK, a membership-led value retail chain building for Bharat. Since its founding in 2019, SuperK has expanded to over 130 stores across Tier 3 to Tier 5 towns, serving more than 100,000 households monthly and backed by investors such as Blume Ventures and XEED Ventures.

Anil is a builder at heart, combining a product mindset with deep operational rigor. He leads SuperK’s growth strategy, marrying tech-driven solutions with the realities of small-town retail. Under his leadership, SuperK has pioneered a full-stack retail model that spans offline stores, e-commerce, and local commerce all rooted in delivering trust, value, and quality to underserved markets.

Ankit Patel, Managing Director & CEO is currently steering the ship at the Belgian Waffle Co to spread the waffle revolution in India, one waff-wich at a time. A seasoned business professional with over two decades of extensive cross-functional experience in the technology, consumer, and financial services industries. Demonstrates strong expertise in business development, strategic alliances, business strategy, and financial management.

A dynamic professional, a TEDx speaker, and a horse – riding enthusiast are some of the traits that describe the ambivert

Mr. Arvind Kumar Sharma. An alumnus of NIT Warangal, ISB Hyderabad & Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, he has had extensive experience in the FMCG space like biscuits, wafers, chocolates, confectionery, snacks, namkeens, chips, pickles, sauces & condiments etc. His undying passion for excellence and growth- oriented mindset has seen him grow through the ranks and assume a leadership role within a short span of 8 years. Mentoring & nurturing talent has always been close to his heart and has always been fostering an environment that is centered on the basic tenets of “trust” and “innovation”.

An ace Pastry Chef, Chefpreneur, Entrepreneur, Chef & Founder Star Anise Fine Foods & Leisure Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, Chef & Co-founder of Rizkee fine foods ILP, (Brunch N Bite) Bangalore, Co-Founder of Gourmelange Hospitality LLP and a seasoned F&B professional, Chef Anees has risen to the top of the culinary world since winning the Chef Entrepreneur Of The Year Award by WICA in the year 2018. Chef Anees was was also conferred as one of the “Top Most Hospitality Icons” of the year by Asia food congress & awards, 2023. He has been awarded as “Chef Entrepreneur Of The Year Award by Better Kitchen popular choice awards in the year 2023 and also

“Popular Choice Entrepreneur Chef” by FBAl in the year 2023. Chef Anees recently has been awarded “The Patisserie Maestro Of India” 2024 by Better Kitchen Awards.

Chef Ishijyot Surri stands as a beacon in the global culinary arena. With a background rooted in the prestigious Taj Group, he has been formally trained in the culinary field at the Taj IHM-A institute with an affiliation to the prestigious University of Huddersfield, UK. Ishijyot’s stints across various restaurants fortified his understanding of different culinary traditions, allowing him to oversee a North Indian BBQ poolside restaurant. His accolades, such as the ‘Young Chef of the Year’ and ‘Best Chef Led Restaurant’, are a testament to his relentless pursuit of culinary perfection. The chef’s vision transcended the boundaries of the traditional kitchen.
By 2018, determined to perpetually evolve, Ishijyot’s entrepreneurial flair led to the inception of three distinct culinary hubs under the banner of the SJI Hospitality group: Mulk, reflecting old world North Indian charm; and Pachinco, a haven for Italian diner and coffee enthusiasts alike.
Yet, it was his venture, MiniyaTurk, inspired by his trip to Turkey, that truly showcased his unwavering commitment to pushing culinary boundaries, offering a harmonious fusion of Turkish street foods giving rise to a multi-speciality restaurant offering Turkish, Middle-Eastern, Mexican and Pan-Asian flavours. The Outdoor Catering vertical “SJI Gourmet” has earned immense recognition and love under his leadership.

For over 30 years, Chef Swamy has brought food to life through storytelling—bridging the gap between culinary artistry and impactful media. As a chef, food stylist, photographer, and author, he helps brands, hospitality businesses, and educational institutions communicate their food vision with creativity, authenticity, and cultural depth.
Trained at Le Cordon Bleu, London, he has conceptualised and produced award-winning cookbooks, high-impact food shows, and visual campaigns for global brands. His work solves a key challenge for the industry: translating flavours, heritage, and brand identity into compelling imagery and narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Listed in Forbes 2019 Celebrity 100 list, Saransh Goila is an inspiration to all the aspiring chefs of India and a maverick in his own right. Saransh is an acclaimed TV chef, author, entrepreneur and restaurateur. He is the founder of ‘Goila Butter Chicken’, the only brand from India that made it onto the legendary food show MasterChef Australia and associated with an English Premier League Club, Fulham. Chef Saransh appeared on MasterChef Australia as a guest Judge.

While his beginning is humble and he hails from Pitampura in Delhi he truly is a Glocal Millenial, who has travelled the world discovering cuisines and cultures through one of his popular digital shows Run to Eat. At 37, Saransh has already worked with Visit Britain, Visit Australia, Singapore tourism, Visit Mauritius, Bahrain Tourism Board, Emirates etc.

A young, balanced personality that connects with all ages, being in sync with traditions and on a mission to make Indian cuisine popular globally.

Showcasing India’s most popular dish ‘The Butter Chicken’ in his own version called ‘Goila Butter Chicken’ on the most watched TV show globally – Master Chef Australia, he proved not only to be a visionary but also a risk taker as he showcased his lip smacking version of the recipe with Roomali Roti, something no Chef has ever talked about in the past.

Along with Master Chef Australia, Saransh has also been invited as a judge in the Grand Finale of Master Chef India in 2023

Saransh now is being acclaimed as a young Achiever. He is ONE of the youngest Celebrity Chefs in the list of Top 10 Chefs in India. He was recognised amongst the top 100 Future Tycoons of India by Facebook last year.

His influence on Social Media has been a case study for many to be inspired from as he is one of the topmost content creators in the Food space on Facebook and Instagram.

Shivani Sharma, Founder of Maison Gourmestan, has reimagined the way we experience food by transforming everyday staples into artisanal, millet-based creations. An alumnus of Le Cordon Bleu London, she saw the gap between home-style simple foods and elevated gastronomy which led her to a cloud kitchen and café in Dubai where she honed her offerings. With a fantastically cultivated celebrity clientele and an increasingly expansive international base, she is passionate not only about nutrition but also ensuring that customers are aware of the value millets and unprocessed foods can add to their lives. As her brand takes over India, expands to Dubai and beyond — Shivani is perpetually fusing innovation with state-of-the-art gourmet while promoting healthy living.

Chef Suresh Shetty’s illustrious career spans over four decades, during which he has honed his craft in some of India’s most prestigious five-star hotels, international cruise lines, and flight catering operations. His journey culminated with his current role as the Executive Chef at the renowned Mumbai Cricket Association, where he spearheaded the launch of the esteemed ‘MCA’s very own Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana.’ Prior to his tenure at MCA, Chef Shetty’s experience includes leading four pre-opening teams of major hospitality ventures, such as:

• The Regent Mumbai (now Taj Land’s End) – Pre-opening
• Grand Hyatt Mumbai – Pre-opening
• Four Points by Sheraton (Starwood Hotels and Resorts) – Pre-opening
• Saudi Catering, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
• Carnival Cruise Lines Inc., USA
• Ramee Group of Hotels
• The Ambassador Group of Hotels (Ambassador Sky Chef, Mumbai & Delhi)

Beyond these significant contributions, Chef Shetty has had the privilege of catering to an elite clientele, including prominent figures from Hollywood and Indian Film Industry, business magnates, world class athletes, entrepreneurs, and even royal dignitaries.

As a culinary virtuoso, Chef Shetty is more of a guiding force than a physical presence in MCA’s kitchens, overseeing nine diverse F&B outlets and orchestrating seamless banquet operations for up to 1,700 guests. Under his expert leadership, a team of talented chefs brings to life an array of fascinating global cuisines, incorporating locally sourced ingredients and modernist cooking techniques. Every dish, though seemingly simple on the plate, is a masterful creation, showcasing the precision and craftsmanship of contemporary gastronomy, meticulously executed by his team across four kitchens.

Chef Shetty’s repertoire extends far beyond the kitchen; he is a consummate hotelier, known for his exceptional culinary artistry. His skills in ice carving, fruit and vegetable carving, and elaborate buffet displays are legendary, alongside his expertise in preparing exquisite pre-plated hors d’oeuvres in both hot and cold western cuisine. His ability to blend artistry with culinary precision has earned him a distinguished reputation within the hospitality industry.

A charismatic leader, Chef Shetty is revered for his dynamic nature and his fervent commitment to culinary education. His approachable demeanour and wealth of experience have made him a popular figure among hotel and catering professionals. He frequently participates in culinary events as a judge, imparting his extensive knowledge and experience to aspiring chefs and students from culinary institutes.

It would be fitting to regard Chef Shetty as a celebrity chef, as he has appeared on the OTT food show “Khane Ke Deewane” on the Gemplex platform, further cementing his status within the gastronomic community. He is also highly active on social media, where he shares his culinary insights and engages with a wider audience through Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

A family-oriented man, Chef Shetty relishes the time he spends in the kitchen with his exceptional team, continuously crafting innovative seasonal dishes and designing new menus. He is also actively involved in conducting weekly training workshops for cooking enthusiasts, passing on his passion for culinary excellence. Outside the kitchen, Chef Shetty enjoys quality time with his family, often introducing new culinary experiences to his wife Rashmi. He balances his life with fitness routines at the gym, a love for golden classic music, indulging in culinary literature, watching superhero and sci-fi movies, and following his favourite sport, cricket, with his son Sahas.

•Leadership in Culinary Excellence:Spearheading the culinary realm with innovative leadership, currently excelling as an Executive Chef in the hospitality industry, boasting over 15 years of culinary mastery.

•Record-Breaking Culinary Artistry:A Guinness World Record holder and a visionary in the culinary world, curating award-winning menus while showcasing unparalleled culinary excellence that transcends borders.

•Industry Transformation through Dynamic Leadership:A dynamic leader within the food service sector, revolutionizing the operations of restaurants, resulting in enhanced profitability and the creation of extraordinary dining experiences, while fostering global culinary connections.

•Culinary Innovation Beyond Boundaries:Boundaries of culinary creativity are consistently pushed, successfully blending 15 international cuisines, thus leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

•Globetrotting Culinary Explorer:Infused with an insatiable passion for culinary exploration, traversing through 15 nations, translating diverse culinary perspectives into delightful gastronomic adventures.

Chef Vijayendra Pawaskar is the visionary behind Chef Decoded. Founded in 2018 by Chef Vijayendra Pawaskar, Chef Decoded began with a powerful vision — to bring chefs from across India together on one platform, where they can connect, learn, grow, and thrive. We are bringing One stop Solution for Chef’s. We have our Website created for Chef’s www.chefdecoded.com. Today, we’re proud to have built a vibrant community of 950+ executive chefs and 10,000+ junior chefs from all corners of the country.

With a career built around creating memorable dining experiences, F&B veteran, Ms. Deepa Hall heads the Food & Beverage division at Reliance Brands Limited, comprising Pret A Manger, EL&N London, and Armani Caffè in India.

With an eye on the future, Deepa is also spearheading the launch and expansion of new, global F&B brands for Reliance Brands, bringing fresh, differentiated dining concepts to the evolving Indian market.

Deepa’s journey in the industry began as a young store manager at Starbucks, where she developed a strong flair for people and building teams to create exceptional customer experiences.

With her strong belief that the greatest ingredients are our people and that when we empower them, excellence isn’t just a goal, but a way of working, Deepa has consistently focused on developing talent and creating strong organizational cultures.

With over two decades of experience, she has held senior leadership roles at Starbucks Coffee Company across the U.S., India, China and Japan. From launching and running Tata Starbucks in India to opening the iconic Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in Shanghai and Tokyo, her journey spanning continents and cultures has been nothing short of exceptional.

Today, at Reliance Brands, she steers a portfolio that blends the fast pace of QSR with the elegance of luxury cafés, bringing global flavours to Indian tables.

Desmond Nikhil D’Souza is Vice President, Customer & Commercial Leadership (C&CL) for India & Southwest Asia at The Coca-Cola Company. In this role, he leads the company’s commercial strategy across a diverse and dynamic region—driving value growth, enhancing customer partnerships, and shaping long-term transformation across markets and channels. Desmond is focused on building next-generation commercial capabilities that strengthen Coca-Cola’s customer-centric approach and accelerate profitable growth.

With over 18 years of experience in the FMCG industry, he has led high-impact roles in sales, customer operations, and strategy across India and overseas. Prior to joining Coca-Cola, he was Vice President, Sales at Mondelēz India, where he drove digital innovation, footprint expansion, and capability development. His earlier experience spans PepsiCo and Zomato.

Desmond holds a management degree from XLRI Jamshedpur and an engineering degree from Visvesvaraya Technological University. Based in Gurgaon, he is a sports enthusiast, music lover, and avid reader.

Devrishee currently leads Brand and Marketing at abcoffee. A marketing major from MICA, Ahmedabad, he brings experience from working with several leading D2C and retail brands during his tenure at CleverTap.
In his current role, he serves as the chief brand guardian for abcoffee — driving product and brand marketing initiatives while strengthening the brand’s position as India’s leading Grab & Go coffee company.

Dhanji Patel is the Chairman and Managing Director of Patel Retail Limited, one of the fastest growing retail and food companies in India. His entrepreneurial journey began with a small grocery shop in Ambernath, Mumbai. Under his visionary leadership, Patel Retail has evolved into a trusted multi vertical enterprise with a strong presence with 45 plus retail supermarkets, food processing, and global exports, serving customers in 35 plus countries.
With a strategic growth mindset, he has accelerated the company’s footprint through the Patel’s R Mart chain, delivering value retailing to emerging and underserved markets.
He has built food processing facilities in Gujrat, equipped for world class spice grinding, private label manufacturing, and modern packaging, enabling India’s flavours to reach global shelves. The company’s in house spices brand, Indian Chaska, is gaining strong traction for its authentic Indian masalas and quality led product lineup.He is also driving large scale investments in food innovation, private labels, and new age categories for domestic and international markets.

Dharret Parikh is a business and brand leader with over 18 years of experience driving growth across the FMCG sector scaling startups and managing established brands alike.

His expertise spans business management, brand marketing, and P&L leadership, with a recent focus on supply chain and cold chain logistics to enhance efficiency and product quality. Dharret blends strategic thinking with on-ground execution to deliver results across B2B and B2C markets.

With a strong foundation in advertising and media, he brings a deep understanding of consumer behavior to craft impactful, customer-centric solutions. Passionate about mentorship and leadership development, he believes in empowering people to grow with purpose, resilience, and creativity.

Dheeraj Arora is an accomplished business leader and the Managing Director & CEO of Hygienic Research Institute, a distinguished personal beauty care brand renowned for its excellence. With a stellar career spanning over two decades in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, he has held pivotal leadership roles at industry giants like Unilever and Britannia, driving transformation across India and Developing & Emerging (D&E) Markets.

Dheeraj’s expertise spans General Management, Sales & Customer Development, as well as Modern Trade & eCommerce strategies. As Vice President at Hindustan Unilever, he played a key role in expanding the Organized Trade business and was instrumental in implementing the groundbreaking ‘Winning in Many Indias’ framework. Additionally, he led the rollout of a cutting-edge data-tech enabled front-end execution system, which now operates across 15 countries, revolutionizing execution and efficiency.

An engineer by training, Dheeraj further honed his strategic acumen with an MBA in Sales & Marketing from MDI, Gurgaon, and a Digital Strategy Program at INSEAD. This blend of technical knowledge and business expertise enables him to embrace a High Tech-High Touch approach, reinforcing his belief in the ‘butterfly effect’—that every small action has the potential to create a lasting impact.

For Dheeraj, leadership is about fostering positive change—not just within an organization but also in the lives of customers, consumers, and society at large. His vision and relentless commitment drive sustainable growth and meaningful impact, positioning HRIPL for continued success in the evolving beauty and personal care landscape.

Beyond his professional pursuits, An avid marathoner, he embodies the virtues of perseverance and resilience—values that reflect in his approach to leadership and business.

Dheeraj’s outstanding contributions to eCommerce and business innovation have earned him numerous accolades, including the ‘Most Influential eCommerce Professional & Business Icon of the Year 2023’ and ‘The Extraordinaire – Most Powerful CEO Award 2024.’ A member of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – FMCG, he continues to shape the future of the industry, steering HRIPL towards consistent, competitive, and profitable growth with his visionary leadership

Dheeraj Jain is the Director of Pagariya Food Products Pvt. Ltd., a fast-growing Indian FMCG company behind the Kwality brand — one of the most trusted names in breakfast cereals, masalas, and instant mixes.

Under his leadership, Kwality has built a strong national footprint, with products now available in over 50,000 retail outlets across India, exporting to over 42 countries, and also emerging as the second-largest exporter of breakfast cereals from South East Asia.

A passionate believer in innovation and quality, Dheeraj has driven the company’s transformation from a regional brand into a global player — launching pioneering categories.

With a forward-looking vision and deep understanding of both domestic and international markets, he continues to steer Pagariya Foods toward its mission of bringing “Goodness Inside” to every kitchen across the world.

Dhiren Kanwar is an F&B industry leader with over 32 years of experience. In the recent past, he headed the India and Middle East business and President and MD for Griffith Foods, the respected global food ingredients giant and was a member of the Global Executive Committee.
Currently, as an angel investor and advisor to various start-ups, he specializes in helping form market-entry strategy and driving innovation for start-ups and early growth companies. His forte in building strong relationships across enterprise customers as well as nurturing talent are ingredients, in his ability to swiftly establish entities.

Dhiren began his career as an award-winning chef at ITC hotels, and later, Taj Hotels. Spotting an early opportunity in the industry, he dove in as an entrepreneur, founding and successfully exiting a pioneering venture focussed on a commissary business, a chain of cafes, an event company and more.

He has since served in multiple corporate engagements, including heading the F&B investment advisory business at Future Capital, now Everstone Capital. He contributed to the market entry strategy for brands like Domino’s Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Barista, Café Coffee Day, Blue foods and Inox.

At Puratos, Dhiren drove the establishment of the India/South Asia operations for the second-largest manufacturer of bakery ingredients worldwide. He set up the production and R&D centre, defined the sales strategy and implemented the network, achieving triple digit growth over multiple years.

As President of the All-India Ingredient Manufacturers Association, he has led several delegations to represent the industry with the India government and contributes in policy making for food regulatory affairs.

Chef Amol Rawool is a distinguished academician and hospitality professional with over 14 years of dedicated experience in the field of hospitality education. Holding a Ph.D. in Home Science, a Master’s in Tourism, and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality & Catering, he combines a strong academic foundation with rich industry experience.

Chef Amol began his professional journey as a Management Executive Trainee at the prestigious JW Marriott, Juhu, and later contributed to Ramada Plaza Palm Grove, gaining valuable insights into luxury hospitality operations. Currently, he serves as the Head of the Hospitality Department at Chikitsak Samuha’s Patkar Varde College, Mumbai and Sindhudurga, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping future hospitality leaders.

He holds a place in the Asia and India Book of Records for preparing 181 varieties of pasta in 220 minutes without a break, showcasing his culinary innovation and stamina. His passion for culinary arts also led to two patents — one for Watermelon Rind Spaghetti and another (under review) for an Immunity Booster Pasta.

Chef Amol’s commitment to national service stands out. On Kargil Vijay Diwas, he, along with six of his students, served food to 800 soldiers during the Bada Khana at Kargil, an initiative that earned him a felicitation by the Governor of Maharashtra. He has also had the honor of serving at the Raj Bhavan on Republic Day (26th January).

In the media space, he is a known face, having appeared on popular cookery shows across ETV Marathi, Zee Marathi, Colors Marathi, and is currently a part of the regional show “Ruchira” on Doordarshan National TV. He also contributes regularly as a recipe blogger for Maharashtra Times, promoting innovative and traditional cuisines alike.

Awards & Recognition:

• Best Culinary Educator by Food Critics & Bloggers Association of India
• Chef of the Year by Gujarat Home Chefs Association
• Excellence in Hospitality Education by Better Kitchen Magazine
• Top Most Hospitality Icon Chef by Asia Food Congress & Awards

A passionate promoter of Malvani cuisine, Chef Amol Rawool organizes food pop-ups and experiential events in collaboration with his students, bringing regional flavors to a wider audience while preserving traditional culinary heritage.

Dr. Nitin Shankar Nagrale is a globally recognized leader in hospitality procurement and supply chain management, with over 30 years of distinguished experiencein the hospitality, aviation, and service sectors. He currently serves as the CEO –India and Emerging Markets at Quality New Zealandsince its inception in 2013, a unique venture backed by New Zealand cricket legends Sir Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, and Geoff Allott.A visionary professional, Dr.

Nagrale is the Founder & General Secretary of the Hospitality Purchasing Managers’ Forum (HPMF), the first-of-its-kind platform that today represents 7,000+ members across India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and the Middle East. He has been instrumental in elevating procurement as a strategic functionin the hospitality industry and is widely respected as one of the most influential voices in global hospitality procurement.

Hardeep Singh has been leading 7-Eleven India as CEO since March 2019, spearheading the brand’s expansion and shaping a profitable, customer-centric convenience retail model for the Indian market.
With more than 30 years of leadership experience across Walmart, Unilever, and Asian Paints, Hardeep brings deep expertise in retail operations and supply chain. His strategic focus lies in building sustainable food retail ecosystems and creating formats that respond to evolving customer lifestyles.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from ICT, Mumbai, and a Master’s degree in Operations Management from SPJIMR, Mumbai.
A passionate business leader, Hardeep believes in innovation, capability building, and scaling businesses with purpose. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, traveling and photography.

Hari is an experienced entrepreneur, angel investor, mentor, and advisor with a passion for lifelong learning. He actively invests in innovative startups and promotes lean startup principles, global thinking, local action, and fostering an organisational culture suitable for innovation.

He has led numerous deals, predominantly in the Indian Angel Network and some in LetsVenture, facilitating exits and fundraising support for investors and portfolio companies. He has been a lead investor in several food tech companies and QSR brands and has been supporting entrepreneurs in the F & B , D2C , AI and Deep Tech space.

He is a member of the Advisory Board of Ivy Cap Ventures ( VC fund with over Rs. 5000 cr of AUM) , serves as a member of the Investment Committee at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) , NSRCEL – IIM-Bengaluru , IIT Hyderabad (ITIC) and Venture Park (BIA) – Patna , IIEST , Shibpur.

Hari is one of the founding member of TiE Kolkata , has served as President and is a Lifetime Charter Member of TiE Kolkata.

As an entrepreneur since 1987, Hari has been involved in multiple ventures, including the early adoption of the internet with his portal Calcutta Online, which was acquired by a NASDAQ-listed company in 1998. He co-founded Ontrack Systems Limited in 1988 and held key positions in trade bodies, trusts, and non-profit organizations, such as TiE-Kolkata, COMPASS, CIITA and FAIITA and others.

Harpreet Singh Tibb is a man who truly embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. With an education from esteemed institutions such as BITS Pilani, IIM Calcutta, and Cambridge he has played a key role in building great brands and the success of companies like Hindustan Unilever and Kellogg’s India.
He is a leader who has not only made a name for himself in the corporate world but has also been a driving force in drafting the next chapter of growth and success of his family business Tibb’s Frankie through innovations such as ProtiRoti – the new range of 100% plant protein based rolls, a 1st in the Indian QSR space and driving the omnichannel strategy backed by data analytics. Under him Tibbs Frankie has been voted as the no 1 roll brand on both swiggy and zomato for the last few years now.

Labhesh is a dynamic young professional deeply rooted in his family business, bringing a fresh, future-forward perspective to traditional commerce.
A postgraduate from EDII College, Ahmedabad, Labhesh merges foundational business acumen with a keen interest in technological innovation, particularly the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various sectors.
Currently, he is actively developing a project focused on payment gateway solutions, aiming to enhance efficiency and security in transactions. Labhesh views the Indian market as a landscape of unparalleled potential for growth and believes in actively pursuing cross-domain collaborations to leverage new opportunities.
With a personality driven by enthusiasm, curiosity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Labhesh is focused on identifying and implementing tech-driven solutions to drive business evolution in one of the world’s biggest and most promising markets.

Mahesh Chaware

General Manager –Patel’s R Mart

With over 27 years of experience in retail leadership, Mahesh Chaware serves as the General Manager at Patel’s R Mart, one of the most prominent and fast-growing supermarket chains in Western India. His career reflects a strong command over retail operations, merchandising, supply chain efficiency, and consumer engagement, driving consistent growth and operational excellence across the organization.Under his leadership, Patel’s R Mart has strengthened its Omnichannel retail model, blending in-store, quickcommerce, and e-commerce operations to meet evolving customer needs. Mahesh has been instrumental in enhancing private label portfolios, optimizing category performance, and implementing technology-driven solutions for inventory and customer management.

His people-centric approach and focus on developing strong, execution-driven teams have helped the company achieve improved productivity and service benchmarks. Known for his strategic foresight, disciplined execution, and customer-first mind set, Mahesh continues to steer Patel’s R Mart toward greater scalability, profitability, and regional market leadership.

Manoj Gupta brings over three decades of leadership experience in the FMCG and food industry, with expertise in driving brand growth, distribution development, and strategic partnerships across modern trade, general trade, and digital platforms. As the Sales Head at Gaia, he leads the company’s go-to-market strategy and sales operations, expanding its health and wellness portfolio across India and abroad. With proven success in conceptualizing and executing RTM strategies, Manoj has introduced innovative sales models and led extensive product and sales training initiatives to enhance team performance. Known for his people management skills and cross-domain insight, he champions collaborative growth in the evolving global food and retail landscape.

Mohit is the Co-founder of Truly Desi,with an experience of 8 years of building a premium dairy brand known for clean-label, ethically produced products. He has scaled the brand through direct delivery, modern retail, and quick commerce. Recognized by NITI Aayog, awarded the Coca-Cola Golden Spoon for Sustainability, and featured among the Top 100 D2C Brands in India, Mohit is a strong advocate for food safety, farmer empowerment, and sustainable agri-innovation in dairy sector.

A dynamic hospitality leader with over 25 years of experience in operations, business development, quick-service restaurants (QSR), and full-service management, Pankaj kicked off his career in 2000 with Rajdhani – The Thali Place, pioneering unlimited Thali experiences that set the standard for authentic Indian dining. This foundation led him through innovative journeys at Food Factory (The Italian Restaurants), where he scaled multi-concept outlets with franchising, Jumboking Foods Pvt. Ltd., as Western India Head for burger QSR dominance as well as expansions via franchising, and now as VP Operations at Vikram Kamats Hospitality Ltd. (Kamats Group).
From high-volume thali services to celebrity-endorsed festive feasts, he has led teams in fast-paced environments, fueling revenue growth via data-driven operations, supply chain optimization, and seamless cross-functional collaboration.
Key achievements include honoring loyal patrons with personalized felicitations, partnering with influencers for cultural events like Onam Sadhyas and Diwali specials, and rolling out processes that boost service quality— all while upholding Kamat’s 100% vegetarian legacy and sustainability commitments.

Experienced head with a demonstrated history of over 18 years working in the consumer goods industry.

Strong business development professional with deep experience across diverse functions including business management, sales leadership, strategic marketing, and efficient supply chain management.

Expertise spans Strategic leadership, Country Management, Business Development, Sales Operations, Category Development, Brand / Consumer Marketing, Key Account Management, Channel / Customer Management, and Supply Chain roles.

Career highlights a proven track record of driving revenue growth, optimizing operational efficiencies, and spearheading market expansion initiatives in competitive landscapes.

Invited as a *keynote speaker and panelist* at industry conferences, contributing insights on market trends and future growth strategies.

Recipient of “The Economic Times Young Leader – 2016” (ETYL).

Certified “Great People Manager” by Great Manager Institute™️ (2021).

Bagged the award for “Excellence in Food & Grocery Retail” – India Food Forum.

Alumni of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay. Previously associations with Britannia Industries Ltd., Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. and Nabati Foods (India) Ltd.

Rahul Khandelwal

K2.rahul@gmail.com

9902020578

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-khandelwal-66322a13/

Robinder Singh is a dynamic operations leader with over 17 years of diverse experience in driving growth and operational excellence in India’s food and beverage sector. As COO of Paradise Biryani, he leads operations, marketing, business development, and customer experience initiatives across a multi-city footprint. He is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance customer journeys, improve service quality, and boost brand reputation. Robinder specializes in scaling store portfolios, launching new markets, and transforming business models with a customer-centric approach. His leadership has resulted in significant improvements in brand ratings, customer loyalty, and online reputation through data-driven quality initiatives and consumer insights. His proven expertise in strategic planning, operational innovation, and team leadership positions him as a forward-thinking leader shaping India’s foodservice landscape.

Rohit Kapoor is the CEO of the Food Marketplace at Swiggy Ltd, where he is responsible for driving the food delivery business and developing growth strategies. With over 20 years of industry experience, he has held various leadership positions in sales and finance roles in companies such as Max India and McKinsey & Co. Prior to joining Swiggy, he worked at OYO as the CEO for India and Southeast Asia operations and later as the global CMO.
Rohit is an alumnus of Indian School of Business and a Certified Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute, USA). With his extensive experience and expertise, he leads the Food Marketplace and Dineout businesses at Swiggy, fostering innovation and driving growth.

A seasoned Marketing & Business leader with 20+ years of experience spanning FMCG, Telecom, Media, and Service industries, Ruman has successfully led roles across P&L management, Digital-Brand Marketing, Sales, Key Accounts, and Strategic Planning.
Currently, Business Head – Alternate Channels at Parle Agro, heading a wide portfolio: Retail, eCommerce, Inst -HoReCa, and Travel Business.

Prior to his current role, he was the Premium and Modern Trade Strategy Head at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), where he also built the eCommerce business from scratch. The eCommerce business recorded triple-digit growth and achieved the highest 9-point market share, shaping the NARTD category on QC platform.

Earlier in his career, he led Digital Sales at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts and served as Brand Head at Tata Docomo, demonstrating his versatility and strength in driving both digital innovation and brand performance.

Sajid is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Ahlen Foodpreneurs, a multi-brand company that has revolutionized the food industry in South India. With a commerce background from Madras University and extensive experience from his family’s venture, Hotel Zum Zum (est. 1969), Sajid founded Ahlen Foodpreneurs in 2008.
Under his visionary leadership, Ahlen Foodpreneurs has grown to over 20 outlets, showcasing a portfolio of successful brands that cater to diverse palates, including Palm Shore Restaurant, where Arabian spices meet fresh seafood; Copper Kitchen Restaurant, serving the vibrant flavors of South India, Chettinad, and Kerala; and Biryani Mubarak, offering authentic Chennai-style biryani rich in tradition and aroma. For Sajid, quality, hygiene, and innovation are the core principles that drive Ahlen Foodpreneurs’ success.
Sajid’s vision is to share the flavors and warmth of Ahlen with food lovers everywhere, expanding the company’s presence and bringing people together through great food.

Sanket has been associated with Hardcastle Restaurant Pvt Ltd & McDonalds for the last 22 years and accountable for delivering profitable growth through McDonalds expansion across West & South of India.

Shail Pancholi is the Country Director for India at Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds (WP&A), LLC. A wholly owned operating company of The Wonderful Company, WP&A is the world’s largest grower, processor, and marketer of pistachios and almonds. Shail began his career at WP&A in 2019. As Country Director for India, Shail is responsible for leading the company’s business and all related activities in India. During his tenure at WP&A, pistachio consumption in India has grown exponentially as a result of the company’s focused efforts towards creating consumer awareness for pistachios, and strong partnerships with the Indian nuts and dried fruits industry. Prior to Wonderful, he has worked in several new market development roles.

Sid Marchant is a first-generation entrepreneur with a Bachelor of Management Studies degree from the prestigious St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (2004). He is a certified Q Grader (Coffee) and a Specialty Coffee Association Trainer.

He started his career in Retail Real estate and progressed to the Food and beverage industry. The former Category Head (Food & beverage) at Tata Starbucks has an overall 20 years of combined experience in the Retail Real Estate and Food & Beverages Industry. Driven by sheer passion and business acumen, he identified premium burgers QSR chain business as a niche with immense growth potential and started GOOD FLIPPIN’ BURGERS®️ along with his Co-founders Sijo and Viren.

Sid also co-founded KC Roasters (Formerly – Koinonia Coffee Roasters) and successfully ran a Tibbs Frankie Franchise. He also played a key role in conceptualising and launching Starbucks’ First “Diwali Blend” Coffee.

Somnath Guha is the Vice President- National Key Accounts and Modern Trade, at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. In this role he is managing National Key Accounts and is responsible for driving Pan-India business growth across Modern trade, Cinemas, On-Prem, Travel and E-commerce channels with differentiated execution and right portfolio intervention.
With over 20 years of experience, he has led high-impact roles across geographic segments in India and diverse functions. He has built expertise in P&L management, business development, customer management, and leading negotiations. These skills are strongly backed by his innovation-led thinking and people first mindset.
His passion is to motivate and develop millennials, lead from the front, and drive data-centric decision making; and he thrives in ambitious, inclusive, and forward-looking businesses.

With over 27 years of leadership in the coffee and QSR landscape, Sunil Nair has been instrumental in shaping some of India’s most loved café brands.
Beginning at Pizza Corner, he learned the foundations of operational excellence and mastered the nuances of customer centricity, thereafter at Café Coffee Day, he spent nearly 2 decades scaling the brand from 45 cafés to more than 1,400+ company owned outlets nationwide, leading almost 8,000+ employees as Head of Operations. Moving on from CCD, as a Chief Strategy Officer at Third Wave Coffee, he drove rapid expansion through strategic foresight, location intelligence and profitability discipline. Today, as a Chief Business Officer at Lavazza India, Sunil Nair is leading the iconic Italian brand Lavazza’s independent B2C entry into the country—bridging global coffee heritage with Indian market dynamics.
Renowned for his people-first leadership with a deep consumer insight, he continues to build brands that inspire teams, elevate experiences and deliver sustainable business success. His journey embodies purpose-driven leadership anchored in humility, passion and create lasting impact.

Vallabh is a strategic thinker, senior business leader with strong commercial acumen, and 23 years of FMCG & Retail experience in successfully managing profit centres. He has a successful background in sales, marketing, account management, business development & retail operations. He specialises in aggressively identifying opportunities for business growth, developing team focus & providing tactical business solutions.
Core Competencies: Category Management, Buying & Merchandising, Profit Centre management, Key account management, sales, marketing, distribution.

Vikas Chopra is the Founder and Managing Director of RetailWhizz Solutions Pvt. Ltd, which offers a comprehensive product suite / ERP solution RetailWhizz.
RetailWhizz has been successfully implemented for more than 15,000+ Terminals across 1,600+ retail stores, in India and a few abroad.
With 35+ years of industry experience in IT, Software, Retail, ERP, DBA, Performance Tuning, Systems, Processes and Management Consulting, Vikas uses inherent problem-solving skills to provide solutions, process & IT consulting to retailers, eCommerce, distribution/logistics companies.
RetailWhizz ERP has been enhancing and Automating Retail Businesses, since 1997 using POS, CRM, B2B/Wholesale, Merchandise Management, Purchase, Inventory, WMS, Compliances, Accounting, E-Commerce / Omni-Channel Sales — enabling retailers to improve operational efficiency, scientific decision-making and customer satisfaction.

Vrushali Parab is a seasoned marketing & strategy professional with over 13 years of rich experience in strategic brand management and business growth across various industries like Media & Entertainment,
F& B Retail, Real Estate and Wellness. Her strategic approach towards marketing, deep rooted in consumer insights and understanding of new-age as well as traditional media come from managing varied international as we all home-grown brands, catering to a diverse set of consumer cohorts.