The Food Connoisseurs India Convention (FCIC) – West India Edition 2026, held on 11 June 2026 at the NESCO Centre, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, was a colossal success, bringing together the brightest minds from India’s food, beverage and hospitality ecosystem. An initiative by Industry Live, the convention welcomed 1,800+ attendees, including renowned chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and industry professionals, making it one of the region’s most influential gatherings for the F&B sector.

The convention explored the future of India’s hospitality landscape through insightful discussions on culinary innovation, restaurant business growth, technology-led transformation, sustainability, experiential dining, leadership, culinary tourism, nightlife, menu innovation, changing consumer preferences and the evolution of India’s restaurant ecosystem. The conversations reinforced how India’s F&B industry is rapidly embracing innovation while staying rooted in regional heritage, creating scalable, immersive and globally competitive dining experiences.

The convention featured an exceptional lineup of industry leaders and culinary icons, including Chef Gautam Mehrishi, Corporate Executive Chef, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, Ms. Rashmi Uday Singh, Author of 40 food books, TV host, conferred the French government’s Chevalier knighthood, Founder of the non-profit global Hospitality Hope, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Celebrity Chef & Entrepreneur, Mr. Narayan T Poojari, Founder, Shiv Sagar Group, Mr. Prashant Issar, Managing Director, Bellona Hospitality Services Limited, Mr. Amit Mulchandani, Director, Kailash Parbat, Mr. Ranbir Singh Nagpal, CEO, Yazu Hospitality, Ms. Shatbhi Basu, Creative Consultants & STIR Academy Of Bartending, Ms. Neeti Goel, Director, Avan Ventures Pvt Ltd., Mr. Gaurav H Parikh, Director, Richboyz Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Mr. Amrut Mehta, Director, Little Italy, Chef Michael Swamy, Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur, Food Stylist, Author, Mr. Vishal Desai, Director, Rupa Group (Le Meridien, Navi Mumbai: Mizuki, Basil & Beans, Madurai Bhavan & Piccolino), Mr. Nikhil K Rochlani, Managing Partner, Butterfly High and KYMA, Ms. Niketa Sharma, Founder, Blah, Thane Club, Vivi, Magna, South Stories, Masalader and ITI, Mr. Ankit Gupta, Co-Founder, Burma Burma Restaurant & Tea Room, Mr. Mukesh Katotra, Executive Director & CFO, Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group India, Mr. Sachin Pabreja, Co-Founder & CEO, EazyDiner, Mr. Kushal Anadkat, Managing Director and Co-Founder, SARAZA a unit of Cuisinec Nutrition Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, Hospitality Educationist & Consultant, Past Director, FHRAI-IHM, Greater Noida, Retd. Principal, IHM Mumbai, Lucknow & Jodhpur.

The convention culminated in a spectacular awards ceremony where 180+ awards were presented to recognize excellence across the food, restaurant and hospitality industry in West India.

Among the marquee honours, Copper Chimney was recognised as “Best Restaurant of the Year – West India”, Gaylord Restaurant received the award for “Best Restaurant of Maharashtra”, while Trèsind Mumbai was honoured as “Best Restaurant of Mumbai”. Mr. Prashant Issar, Managing Director, Bellona, was conferred the title of “Restaurateur of the Year (Mumbai)”, and Ishaara received the award for “Restaurant Serving the Best Modern Indian Cuisine”.

Other distinguished winners included Bagdadi Restaurant, Bastian Beach Club, Tomatoes Beach Side Kitchen & Bar (Morjim), Punjab Grill, Mercii Mumbai, Aasmana at The Ritz-Carlton Pune, Barbeque Nation, Tanatan Juhu, Jamie Oliver Kitchen, Naturals Ice Cream, The Irish House, Ajay’s Café and Soulinaire, an IHCL Enterprise, among several others.

The evening’s highest honour, “Celebrity Chef of the Year”, was presented to Chef Ajay Chopra. The awards keynote by Ms. Rashmi Uday Singh beautifully underscored the growing role of culinary tourism in positioning West India as a global gastronomic destination, reaffirming that food today is a powerful catalyst for culture, travel, economic growth and destination branding.

The Food Connoisseurs India Convention (FCIC) – West India Edition 2026 was strengthened by the support of its valued partners, whose collaboration played an important role in the success of the event. The convention was Supported by the Indian Culinary Forum (ICF), with the Western India Culinary Association (WICA) as the Supporting Association. Zee Business was the Telecast Partner, while Radio City was the Radio Partner. NESCO Foods was the Hospitality Partner, enhancing the overall delegate experience. The convention also featured strong industry collaborations through its Session Partners, including Miku’s Kitchen as the Ready-to-Eat Innovation Partner, Yellow Spoon as the Superfoods Partner and Odd Saints Craft Mixers as the Mixer Partner. The event’s reach was further amplified by its Media Partners, World of Hospitality and Hospitality Lexis, extending the convention’s visibility across India’s food, beverage and hospitality industry.

The overwhelming participation, thought-provoking exchanges and celebration of excellence made the Food Connoisseurs India Convention (FCIC) – West India Edition 2026 a landmark platform that successfully celebrated innovation, leadership and the future of India’s vibrant food and hospitality industry.