, India Food forum | Event Highlights

WHAT AWAITS YOU AT INDIA FOOD FORUM

Given India's food ingredients and cuisine diversity, it is little wonder that this vast market is home to numerous success stories when it comes to both brand creation and retail case studies. At India Food Forum, we bring together some of the extraordinary brands whose growth stories can serve as powerful masterclasses for both emerging and established enterprises.
Prepare to unveil 2024's most exciting food & beverage innovations on a specially designed platform for retail and HoReCa. With a proven track record of spotlighting groundbreaking F&B launches, India Food Forum is the ultimate stage for your brand's big moment.
India is a nation of shopkeepers. Modern supermarket chains only contribute to less than 10% of the grocery retail market. The rest is served by the local supermarkets or grocers who are closest to the customers in the hinterlands of India. India Food Forum has taken the initiative to felicitate some of the supermarkets of Bharat that have modernized with changing times and made grocery shopping an enjoyable experience for their valued customers.
An evening of short-form talks that promise to enlighten and inspire. Delve into the world of retail with insights from industry leaders, change-makers, and pioneers.
India’s most authoritative recognition for food service brands and companies to acknowledge excellence in format innovation, marketing, business expansion, and customer experience.
India’s most prestigious accolades for food and food service retailers, the Coca-Cola Golden Spoon Awards, were launched in 2008 to acknowledge the growing successes of progressive food and grocery retailers and their crucial role in boosting consumption and the evolution of effective marketing and distribution strategies in this sector.

Speakers 2024

Gaurav Ahuja

Position: Co-founder & MD, Red Ginger Hospitality
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Gaurav Ahuja

Co-founder & MD, Red Ginger Hospitality

Vishal Telkar

Position: Head of BD, Taco Bell
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

With a highly experienced and skilled professional in the field of Business Development.

With more than 17 years and above experience in the FMCG sector at Jubilant Foodworks, I had managed the Domino’s Pizza brand for Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat and Goa regions and had to credit the launch of more than 120 “Domino’s Pizza” stores across the region.

Worked 2 years with Devyani International Ltd and managed “Pizza Hut ” and “Costa Coffee” brands as Head West and Central India Business Development. 25 stores opened

Worked 2 years with Coffee Day Global and managed the “Cafe Coffee Day” brand as Head West India Business Development. 90 cafes opened.

Currently Working with Burman Hospitality Pvt Ltd and managing “Taco Bell” brand as Head West India Business Development . More than 31 plus stores have opened.

Currently it has opened more than 300 plus outlets in India.

Recognised Top 30 Business Development Head Pan India by Image 2023.

An All India Retail ( AIRG ) Member.

Vishal Telkar

Head of BD, Taco Bell

Chef Ashay Desai

Position: Director - Culinary and Operations, Catering Collective, K Hospitality
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Ashay Desai, Director, Culinary and Operations, Catering Collective, a unit of K Hospitality Ashay is a highly experienced hospitality

professional with over 22 years of experience in event planning, seamless operations, and customer satisfaction. He is a graduate from the Institute of Hotel Management in Mumbai and has expertise in creating profitable banquets and innovative culinary experiences as a chef. Ashay has demonstrated his leadership skills and commitment to excellence in various high-profile events such as the Indian Premier League, Indian Soccer League, and Pro Kabaddi League, as well as corporate events for some of India’s largest companies.

He has honed his skills of handling diverse events and clienteles that leave a lasting impression on guests. Ashay is a creative and curious powerhouse driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. His insatiable appetite for learning and a gnawing desire to create memorable experiences for guests motivated him to enter the hospitality industry. He has been a pioneer of the ‘interactive dining’ concept where guests are not only treated to exceptional cuisine but are also engaged in a multisensory journey. His commitment to sustainability, innovation and people-first approach have set a new standard for catering, emphasizing the fusion of innovation, artistry, and responsible practices. As the Director for Culinary and Operations for Catering Collective, Ashay aims to create unforgettable and bespoke culinary experiences for guests at events and celebrations of all kinds and sizes. Through meticulous attention to detail, a commitment to innovation, and a deep understanding of each client’s vision, his goal is to establish the catering vertical as a benchmark of exceptional culinary craftsmanship and unparalleled service. With the support of his powerhouse team, Ashay has served approx 2 crore consumers and catered over 1 lakh events till date.

A notable personality in the hospitality industry, Ashay has been honoured with several accolades across various forums namely, “Topmost Hospitality Icon – Chef” at the prestigious 5th Asia Food Congress, “Progressive Chef of the year” at the Gourmet Fest Expo and Awards, “Caterer of the year” at Indian Restaurant Congress and Awards. About Catering Collective Catering Collective, a part of K Hospitality, operates some of the finest luxury venues like Blue Sea and Palace Halls in Mumbai and now Araya Bagh in New Delhi and offers premium innovative and personalized culinary services by the award-winning Blue Sea Catering and Pavitra Catering. One of India’s foremost catering companies, Catering Collective serves over half a million guests across 3,500 events each year spread across destination weddings, social celebrations, and corporate functions across India and overseas, for some of the most notable celebrities, industrialists, brands and events.

www.cateringcollective.in
www.k-hospitality.com

Chef Ashay Desai

Director - Culinary and Operations, Catering Collective, K Hospitality

Abhijeet Vijay Saraf

Position: Director, Vaishnavi Super Market
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Abhijeet Vijay Saraf

Director, Vaishnavi Super Market

Kamlesh Karamchandani

Position: Executive Director, Hyfun Foods
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Kamlesh Karamchandani is the dynamic Executive Director of HyFun Foods, a trailblazer in the global frozen food industry. Since the company’s founding in 2015, Kamlesh has been the driving force behind its remarkable 20X growth, leading HyFun to achieve a revenue milestone of 1000 Crores by 2023. Under his visionary leadership, HyFun has expanded its presence to over 40 countries and has become the undisputed leader in frozen French Fries exports from India, supporting the country’s goal of self- sufficiency. Kamlesh’s strategic foresight has propelled HyFun into key global markets, with the company now serving major international QSR chains like Burger King, KFC, Subway, Pizza Hut, etc. Domestically, HyFun has established a footprint in 300 cities across India, catering to the Food Service sector while also making significant inroads into the consumer-packaged goods market, reaching all 8 metro cities and major e-commerce platforms. In 2024, Kamlesh spearheaded an ambitious rebranding strategy to position HyFun for the future, introducing a refreshed logo and the Funzy mascot to reflect the company’s core values of quality, freshness, and joy. The rebrand not only celebrates HyFun’s deep connection with its farmers and consumers but also underscores its commitment to excellence and innovation in the frozen food industry. Kamlesh’s leadership is defined by his ability to scale businesses, disrupt markets, and drive continuous growth. Under his guidance, HyFun Foods is poised to remain a dominant force in the global food sector, delivering exceptional quality and fresh, innovative products to consumers worldwide.

Kamlesh Karamchandani

Executive Director, Hyfun Foods

Saurabh Kumar

Position: CEO, Kaleesuwari Retail
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Saurabh Kumar

CEO, Kaleesuwari Retail

Rajendra Shah

Position: Chairman & Founder, MILLETS & MORE
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Rajendra Shah

Chairman & Founder, MILLETS & MORE

Mohammed Ashiq

Position: Founder & CEO, Hawwa Marketplace
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Mohammed Ashiq

Founder & CEO, Hawwa Marketplace

Nirav Chaudhry

Position: Director - Purchase, Magson Retail and Distribution
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Nirav Chaudhry

Director - Purchase, Magson Retail and Distribution

Ushpreet Singh Bawa

Position: Head of Retail Sales – India, NielsenIQ
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Ushpreet Singh Bawa

Head of Retail Sales – India, NielsenIQ

Sankalp Santosh Govindwar

Position: Owner, Palshikar Super Mart, Nanded
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Sankalp Santosh Govindwar

Owner, Palshikar Super Mart, Nanded

Girish Relwani

Position: Director, Kishore Super Market, Raipur
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Girish Relwani

Director, Kishore Super Market, Raipur

Santosh Tyagi

Position: Founder & MD, Ghoomar & Dakshin Bhog Restaurants
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Santosh Tyagi

Founder & MD, Ghoomar & Dakshin Bhog Restaurants

Zia Rahman

Position: CEO, Red Rose Mart, Hyderabad
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Zia Rahman

CEO, Red Rose Mart, Hyderabad

Mohamed Faisal

Position: Owner, Marina Hypermarket
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Mohamed Faisal

Owner, Marina Hypermarket

Hitesh Mohanlal Kodvara

Position: Owner, Hinglaj Mart
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Hitesh Mohanlal Kodvara

Owner, Hinglaj Mart

Chef Ashish Massey

Position: Corporate Chef, Food Service India
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Chef Ashish Massey

Corporate Chef, Food Service India

Vivek Sharma

Position: Business Head, ON1Y
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Vivek Sharma

Business Head, ON1Y

Rohit Tekriwal

Position: Director, SHR Trade Corp
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024
Shree Rani Sati Trade Corp, under the leadership of visionary third-generation entrepreneur Rohit Tekriwal, exemplifies innovation through digitization and dynamic ventures. Rohit’s latest initiative, Candzey, introduces a premium range of mukhwas, digestives, and candies, reflecting the company’s dedication to quality, tradition, and modern consumer needs.

Rohit Tekriwal

Director, SHR Trade Corp

RajSekhar Reddy

Position: Co-founder, Squaremeal Foods
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

RajSekhar Reddy

Co-founder, Squaremeal Foods

Amrish Arora

Position: MD, Fountain Hospitality
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Amrish Arora

MD, Fountain Hospitality

Aditya Bagri

Position: Director, Bagrry's Group
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Aditya Bagri is a Director at Bagrrys India Private Limited since April 2015. He joined Bagrry’s in 2011 as a Manager, Brand & Communications and gradually rose to the position of VP – Marketing wherein he has been responsible for Marketing & Strategy functions within the organization.

Additionally, he was actively involved in Corporate & Finance departments and played a significant role in developing new business for the Bagrry’s Group. He has been driving the family run business to new heights with his exceptional skills in Business Development, Strategic Planning and Marketing Management.

He has been instrumental in launching new product introductions, expanding and consolidation of the supply chain and brand building. He is also an active part of the CII National Committee for Food Processing and actively represents Bagrry’s at various Industry forums. Aditya comes on board with a diverse set of experience after working with various renowned organizations. Prior to this he was associated with international organization AIESEC, wherein he was leading the corporate team in Delhi. He has also worked with Goldman Sachs in UK in their Foreign Exchange Operations. He holds a bachelor degree in Statistics from Delhi University and a postgraduate MSc. in Management from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Aditya Bagri

Director, Bagrry's Group

Ajinkya Narendra Deshmukh

Position: Owner, Vijaylaxmi Super Mart
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Ajinkya Narendra Deshmukh

Owner, Vijaylaxmi Super Mart

Tushar Ved

Position: President, Apparel Group India- (Carrefour & Tim Hortons)
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Tushar Ved

President, Apparel Group India- (Carrefour & Tim Hortons)

Vijay Vashisht

Position: Vice President, Safexpress
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Vijay Vashisht

Vice President, Safexpress

Santosh Doiphode

Position: Head - Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Mad Over Donuts
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Santosh Doiphode

Head - Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Mad Over Donuts

Kunal Kawathekar

Position: Director, Kawathekar Supermarket, Pandharpur
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Kunal Kawathekar

Director, Kawathekar Supermarket, Pandharpur

R S Sodhi

Position: President - Indian Dairy Association
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

R S Sodhi

President - Indian Dairy Association

Amit Bagga

Position: Co-founder, CEO & CMO, Daryaganj Hospitality
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

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 the challenges of Covid-19 to not only endure but flourish. 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. Daryaganj Brand has won 48 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 Bagga

Co-founder, CEO & CMO, Daryaganj Hospitality

Pallavi Suresh

Position: Executive Director, NielsenIQ
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Pallavi Suresh

Executive Director, NielsenIQ

Sudheendra Kamath

Position: GM, Ace Foods
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Sudheendra Kamath

GM, Ace Foods

Mohammed Kaleemuddin

Position: COO, Hawwa Supermarket,Chennai
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Mohammed Kaleemuddin

COO, Hawwa Supermarket,Chennai

Ravindra Yadav

Position: Principal, Retail & Food Services, Technopak
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Ravindra Yadav

Principal, Retail & Food Services, Technopak

Kunaal Kumar

Position: CEO, Modern Bazaar
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Kunaal Kumar

CEO, Modern Bazaar

Noufal Narikkoli

Position: Founder & CEO, Zaitoon Restaurant and Grill
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Noufal Narikkoli

Founder & CEO, Zaitoon Restaurant and Grill

Nikhil Rajkumar Bardiya

Position: Owner, Arihant Super Bazar
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Nikhil Rajkumar Bardiya

Owner, Arihant Super Bazar

Chef Beena Noronha

Position: Corporate Chef, Chrome Hospitality
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Chef Beena Noronha

Corporate Chef, Chrome Hospitality

Akash Sharma

Position: Founder, Farmley
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Akash Sharma

Founder, Farmley

Mohit Rathod

Position: Co-founder, Truly Desi
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Mohit Rathod

Co-founder, Truly Desi

Dr. Jaideep Gupta

Position: Advisory Board Member, HPMF
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Dr. Jaideep Gupta

Advisory Board Member, HPMF

Sharad Madan

Position: Director & Co-founder, Khubani Group
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Sharad Madan

Director & Co-founder, Khubani Group

Ankit Patel

Position: CEO, The Belgian Waffle
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

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.

Ankit Patel

CEO, The Belgian Waffle

Chef Nitin Kisan Suryawanshi

Position: MD & Corporate Chef, The Grand Chef India Nashik
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Chef Nitin Kisan Suryawanshi

MD & Corporate Chef, The Grand Chef India Nashik

Preetam Pattnaik

Position: Head of Consumer Marketing, CCL
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Preetam Pattnaik

Head of Consumer Marketing, CCL

Gyanendra Bharti

Position: Co-founder & Business Head, Badho
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

At the intersection of technology and consumer brands, Gyanendra Bharti stands as a pioneering force that aims to strengthen India’s General Trade ecosystem. An alumnus of IIT Dhanbad, Gyanendra combines his strong technical foundation with over 8+ years of hands-on experience in the consumer brands industry to drive innovation in how brands reach and serve their markets.
Before co-founding Badho, Gyanendra’s tenure at FieldAssist gave him deep insights into the dynamics between 200+ consumer brands and their channel distribution partners – from enterprise giants like Haldiram’s to emerging D2C startups across food, apparel, and cosmetics sectors. This diverse exposure shaped his vision on the industry’s digital needs for a unified B2B marketplace that enables seamless trade between brands, distributors, and GT retailers.
“The industry isn’t just transforming – it’s evolving,” Gyanendra often emphasizes. “When brands and retailers have the right platform to connect and grow together, everyone wins.”
At Badho, Gyanendra has built India’s fastest-growing B2B marketplace for secondary orders, where more than 5 Lac+ GT retailers and 7000+ distributors actively trade. Under his leadership, the platform has processed over ₹1000 Cr+ in GMV (∼₹100 Cr monthly GTV), enabling efficient trade between retailers and distributors for products from over 1000+ Brands.
His approach to innovation is deeply rooted in practical industry experience: “Technology shouldn’t disrupt traditional trade – it should enhance it. Our role is to build a marketplace that strengthens existing GT relationships while opening new growth opportunities for both brands and retailers.”
A strong advocate for holistic growth, Gyanendra extends his leadership beyond business metrics. His passion for fitness and health reflects in his approach to business – focusing on sustainable growth and nurturing talent. He actively mentors emerging professionals in the CPG space, sharing insights on leveraging technology to align with new industry trends and best practices.

Gyanendra’s work at Badho is reshaping how consumer brands approach GT market expansion and operations. His vision of tech-enabled growth has helped numerous brands reduce operational costs, while significantly expanding their market presence.
“The future of retail is not about choosing between GT and digital – it’s about creating a seamless platform that empowers every stakeholder in the ecosystem,” he states, embodying the transformative approach that has become Badho’s hallmark.

Gyanendra Bharti

Co-founder & Business Head, Badho

Amitabbh Singh

Position: SVP, Patanjali Ayurved
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Amitabbh Singh

SVP, Patanjali Ayurved

Omkar Arun Dandekar

Position: Partner, Dandekar & Co, Sangli
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Omkar Arun Dandekar

Partner, Dandekar & Co, Sangli

Sonia Rawat

Position: Division Head – FMCG, More Retail
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Sonia Rawat

Division Head – FMCG, More Retail

Rajesh Agarwal

Position: Director, Ghanshyam Supermarket
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Rajesh Agarwal

Director, Ghanshyam Supermarket

Dr. Sanjay Goyal

Position: Chief Procurement Supply Chain Officer, Foodlink F&B Holdings
Categories: SPEAKERS 2024

Dr. Sanjay Goyal

Chief Procurement Supply Chain Officer, Foodlink F&B Holdings

A Legacy of Fuelling Quality Connections