The Hospitality convention is one of India’s biggest hospitality event where the students displaying their signature delicacies and a complete guide about pursuing a career in Food and Travel Industry. Organized at St Andrews Bandra , The Hospitality Convention promised to be Bigger, Better and more conventional. The dates for it were fixed on 12th of August and had packed auditorium. It looked like a much awaited weekend for the hospitality students. The event celebrated its Third Edition and honestly nailed it.
The event was inaugurated by Chief guest Abhishek Verma Television actor from the popular TV Series Yeh Hai Mohabbatein aired on Star Plus Channel. The speakers at the event were the most popular and successful names from the food , travel and tourism and event industry. Chef Kainaz Messman- Founder at Theobroma. Mandeep Lamba – Managing Director at JLL India. Suhma Gaikwad – Co-Founder and Director of Ice Global. Pankaj Kamble – Guinness World Record Holder and Director at Flair-o-Logy- Bar School for Flair Bartending & Mixology. Amninder Sandhu- National Award Winner and Best Lady Chef of India.Masala Bay, Taj Lands End, Mumbai. A bar called life, Juhu Arth, Khar.
Zorawar Kalra – Founder and Managing director of Massive restaurants Pvt Ltd.Farzi Cafe, Masala Bar, Masala library, Made in Punjab, Pa Pa Ya Ya Cafe, Mithai , Kode. Melvyn Pryer – Director at University College Birmingham.Chef Kunal Kapur – Celebrity chef and Restaurateur. Vicky Ratnani from the popular Cookery show “Vicky Goes Veg” and “Vickypedia” Rakhee Vaswani owner of the Palate Culinary Studio and the face of popular TV show ‘Rewind with Rakhee’ on Living Foodz channel
Kainaz Messman shared a valuable advice which is to “Promise less and deliver more”. And to be prepared to work hard if you want to work for yourself. She also shared that her family has been instrumental in the success of Theobroma.
During a one-to-one session Mr Zorawar Kalra mentioned that he wanted to give the students a reality check .He quoted “That there is no industry more rewarding than this, but there are also trials and tribulations. They will be entering an industry which is highly competitive and highly demanding. Once they choose this industry they must consider it like a lifestyle choice and not like a job, not like a career. It’s not like a 9 to 5 job. It’s, the most demanding industry and one of the most stressful jobs in the world”.
There were fun activities like the Rope game by Sushma Gaikwad , She also shared about her experience and journey in the event management industry. Live flair-o-logy conducted by Pankaj Kamble and Cooking contest for students judged by Chef Kunal Kapur. The event was also graced by many more Celebrity chefs, Hoteliers, Entrepreneurs and professors from various universities.
Along with cooking competition, Plating demonstration by Chef. Kunal Kapur, bartenders showing their skills accompanying with some good music students witnessed a lot of more hearty performances. This contest was judged by chefs Rakhee Vaswani, Kunal Kapur & Zorawar Kalra. Kunal & Zorawar then had the students at the edge of their seats with their interesting messages & interactive Q&As. The convention, which included some contests, competitions and guidance from some of the big names in the industry got an overwhelming response from everyone. With the growth in various sectors of hospitality such as tourism and hotel, bakery and confectioneries, bartending, events, spa and wellness and catering, such events definitely help in giving an insight of prospects in their career to students.