Gourmet Luxe 2023: A Feast of Culinary Excellence, Wedding Magic, and Industry Recognition
by Komal Darji Industry Watch | November 6, 2023 | News
Gourmet Luxe 2023 Feast of Culinary Excellence Wedding Magic
Gourmet Luxe 2023, the much-anticipated event of the year, proved to be an extraordinary amalgamation of culinary excellence and wedding magic. Hosted at the stunning Dome, SVP Stadium on 31 October 2023 the event promised an evening of pure excitement and inspiration, and it did not disappoint. The event witnessed an overwhelming attendance of over 2000 enthusiastic attendees, making it a spectacular culinary extravaganza.
Gourmet Luxe, a joint initiative of EVENTFAQS Media, Sanjeev Kapoor and DOME was a unique celebration of the delightful harmony between delicious food and unforgettable weddings, creating an exceptional experience that left a lasting impression on all who attended.

Powered by Foodlink and D'yavol, the event was co-powered by The Leela, Veeba & Bene Tibi, Bikaji, Fabelle Chocolates, and Daawat. These partners played a pivotal role in ensuring that Gourmet Luxe 2023 was an unforgettable experience for all.
The event kicked off with the inauguration ceremony that was graced by the presence of distinguished personalities from the event and food industry, Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor; Deepak Choudhary, Managing Director, EVENTFAQS; Mazhar Nadiadwala, Managing Director, DOME Entertainment; Jimmy Choudhary, Director, EVENTFAQS Media and Mohomed Morani, Managing Director, DOME Entertainment.

These luminaries came together to light the ceremonial lamp, symbolizing the illumination of the path to this exciting event. Following the lamp lighting, the Gourmet Luxe Founder Talk took center stage. This was an opportunity for attendees to delve into the heart of Gourmet Luxe and hear from the esteemed curators themselves. The curators shared their visions and expertise, giving a glimpse of what attendees could expect throughout the event.
As the sun began to set on this culinary extravaganza, the spotlight shifted to the theme of hope and transformation in the world of food and hospitality. The crowd eagerly welcomed Rashmi Uday Singh, a prominent Indian food expert, and her esteemed panel of experts, including Nikhila Palat, CEO of Katalyst Reputation Management, Aditya Dugar - Owner Masque & Director UGIPL of Sage & Saffron, and Chef Rahul Akerkar - Creative & Culinary Director of Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality. Together, they unveiled "Hospitality Hope," a promising initiative aimed at bringing positive change to the industry. This segment celebrated innovation and resilience in the ever-evolving world of food and hospitality.

The session titled 'Breaking Bread, Setting Trends - Innovations in Wedding Catering' brought together an esteemed panel of speakers who were experts in the field, including Chef Vicky Ratnani from Speak Burgers; Aditya Dugar, Owner of Masque & Director UGIPL of Sage & Saffron; Deepak Bassi, Business Head of Maharashtra & South Food Link Luxury Catering and Pankaj Chaturvedi, Managing Director India & Middle East of Rich Cream. The panel's insights were aimed at inspiring and revolutionizing the way wedding catering is perceived.

“Beyond Borders: Global Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality in India” session powered by Blue Sea, recognized that food is not just sustenance but also an expression of culture, heritage, and creativity. The panel members, including Gautam Anand, Executive Vice President of ITC Hotels, Zorawar Kalra, Founder of Massive Restaurants, Amit Bagga, Co-Founder & CEO of Daryaganj Restaurant, Chef Romy Gill – MBE, Author & Broadcaster, Arindam Chakraborty from Catering Collective, and Karan Tanna, Founder & CEO of Ghost Kitchens India, shared their collective wisdom, providing the audience with a comprehensive understanding of the

'Families in Food,' a session powered by Blue Sea had esteemed panel of speakers including Parthip Thyagarajan, the CEO of Wedding Sutra; Mahir Agarwal, Director of Brijwasi KC Sweets; Chef Harsh Shodhan, Partner & Chief Culinary Officer of The Gourmet Kitchen & Studio; Ishaan Bahl, CEO of Risa Hospitality; and Bakhtyar K. Irani, Managing Director of Parsi Dairy Farm. Each panelist shared their incredible family stories and the remarkable journeys behind their culinary traditions, celebrating the unique bonds that nourish the world of food.
In the next session, 'Coffee at Indian Weddings,' presented by WonderChef and powered by Blue Sea distinguished speaker, Ravi Saxena, the Co-founder & CEO of Wonderchef, offered insights into the role of coffee in Indian weddings, unraveling the secrets behind this beloved beverage's significance in such celebrations.
The event continued with 'Celebrity or Celebration: A Tough Call,' bringing together culinary luminaries for a delightful conversation. The special guests included Chef Sanjeev Kapoor along with Food Critic, Broadcaster, YouTuber, Food Writer & Actor - Kunal Vijayakar; MasterChef Shipra Khanna; Riyaaz Amlani – Managing Director of Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality and Vicky Ratnani of 'Speak Burgers contributing to a thought-provoking exploration of the dynamics between celebrity chefs and the celebration of food.

Gourmet Luxe 2023 featured a captivating keynote address by Sabbas Joseph, the Founder-Director of Wizcraft International. His visionary insights inspired the audience. The event was further enriched by the mesmerizing performances of artists such as Wajahat Hasan, Gioconda Vessichelli, the Sabri Brothers, and the Meet Bros, adding a delightful musical dimension to the culinary celebration. Gourmet Luxe 2023 showcased the unique fusion of food and entertainment, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.

The Special Awards ceremony celebrated 19 exceptional individuals and organizations in the F&B industry for their outstanding achievements and contributions to culinary excellence. Special Awards were:
Awardee |
Company |
Award Category |
Rajiv Kapoor |
Fairmont Jaipur (ACCOR) |
Wedding Hotel of the Year |
Chef Vicky Ratnani |
Speak Burgers |
Chef of the Year |
Masterchef Shipra Khanna |
|
Chef of the Year |
Pooja Dhingra |
Le15 Patisserie |
Chef of the Year |
Chef Romy Gill |
|
Chef of the Year |
Gautam Anand |
ITC Hotels |
Legend 2023 |
Zorawar Kalra |
Massive Restaurants |
Legendary Restaurateur of the Year |
Kunal Vijayakar |
Broadcaster, YouTuber, Food-Writer and Actor |
OG Foodie |
Riyaaz Amlani |
Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality |
Legendary Restaurateur of the Year |
Food Couture Catering |
|
Emerging Catering Company of the Year |
Shaadi Mubarak |
|
Concept Catering Company of the Year |
Sanjay Vazirani |
Foodlink |
Man of the Year (Catering) |
Sunil Kapur |
Copper Chimney |
Caterer of the Year |
Shafquat Ali |
|
Heartbeat of the Hospitality Industry |
Nakul Anand |
ITC Hotels |
Hospitality Man of the Year - Decade |
Anuraag Bhatnagar |
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts |
Luxury Hotelier of the Year |
Akshay Anand |
Toy Room |
Restaraunter of the Year |
Sanjay Khullar |
The Seasons Group |
Caterer of the Year - North |
Puneet Chhatwal |
Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces |
Game changer hotelier of India |
As Gourmet Luxe 2023 came to a close on October 31, it was clear that this event had succeeded in bringing together food and weddings to create extraordinary moments, leaving attendees inspired and excited about the future of these industries. It was an evening of pure excitement and inspiration, just as Freishia promised, and a testament to the remarkable possibilities that arise when culinary excellence meets wedding magic at the Dome, SVP Stadium.

Associate Sponsors
Driven By Audi Mumbai West
Westfalia Fruit
American Quality Pistachios
Mathieu Teisseire
WonderChef
Food Couture Catering
Clear Premium Water
Pro V Food
Decor Partner
Design by Sakshi Jerath
Rachana Lucknowala - House of Vivaah
Samani Decorators
Taxi Design
Finale Eventz
Events Falli
Decor & Fabrication Partner
DK Production
Giriraj Production
Media & Broadcast Partner
FoodFood
Hydration Partner
Clear Premium Water
Tech Partner
SSL Media Technology & Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Sound Partner
SNL Pro
Furniture Partner
Rentastic
Any Body Can Decorate
Licensing Partner
Sparsh Liasion
Registration Partner
Craftech 360
Entertainment Partner
Triumph Events & Entertainment
Outdoor Partner
Bright Outdoor Media
Housekeeping Partner
Abhinav Facility
Security Partner
Safe Secure
Printing Partner
Digicraft
Walkie Partner
Rizwan
Event Insurance Partner
Proadvice Wealth
Trophy Partner
Benson
AI Photo Distribution
Premagic
Photo & Video Partner
Swaptography
Marketing & Digital Partner
Vibes - The Social Cohort
In Association With
EEMA & NRAI
Beverage Partner
D'yavol
AB InBev
Chivas Regal
Hops Cork
Bar Management Partner
DrinQ
Flaming Trio
Support By
Iskra Events
WE Hospitality
Production Crew
WeddingSutra

Here is the list of exhibitors at Gourmet Luxe :
Amar Catering
American Pistachio Growers
Audi Mumbai West
Bikaji
Chashni
Daawat
D'yavol
EEMA
Fabelle Chocolates
Food Couture Catering
Foodlink
Gangour Sweets & Conscious Mithai
Gourmet Kitchen
Goa Portuguesa & Diva Maharashtracha & Poie and Pao
Hops Cork
Indigo Hospitality
Le15 Patisserie
The Leela
MTSR
Mr. Coconut
Nair On Fire
Orange Blossom
Pernod Ricard
Pro V
Redbull
Shaadi Mubarak
Veeba & Bene Tibi
Westfalia Avocados
Wonder Chef
Gourmet Luxe achieved resounding success, and we eagerly await the upcoming edition. Stay tuned!
For additional photos, click here.
Gourmet Luxe 2023, the much-anticipated event of the year, proved to be an extraordinary amalgamation of culinary excellence and wedding magic.