Goan chef wins Michelin Bib Gourmand, Vanika Choudhary at the Kita Food Festival & More

Joanna Lobo rounds up all the biggest news in F&B.

Let me give you the bad news first. Food regulator FSSAI has launched a project to assess microplastic contamination in food products and develop methods for its detection. The announcement comes close on the heels of a study that found ‘Microplastics in Salt and Sugar’ conducted by environmental research company Toxic Links found that sugar and salt brans in India have microplastics in them.

A clean-up drive carried out in 450 sites across the Indian Himalayas found that food packaging was the biggest polluter — 75% of the refuse was plastic of which 84% came from food packaging.

The Southern African Development Community says that nearly 70 million people in southern Africa are suffering from the effects of an El Niño-induced drought.

Moving on to happier news. Brand Finance’s annual report ‘Brand Finance Food & Drink 2024’ found that Amul India, is India’s strongest food brand, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91 out of 100; Nestlé remains the leader in the most valuable brand in the F&B sector

Netflix launches popcorn line; brewery creates edible six-pack rings

How much do you love fast food? Munachimso Brian Nwana, a content creator and food consultant, visited 150 fast food outlets setting a new world record for visiting the most fast-food restaurants in 24 hours. He completed his entire route on foot, covering a distance of over 25 kilometres.

New Zealand organised Pou-o-Kai: a restaurant experience under the dark, starry skies of Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill). Kiwi Chef Ben Bayly hosted over 50 of the world’s most renowned tastemakers (including India’s Saransh Goila) for a ‘superior cuisine, worth a journey to the edge of the earth’, a six-course degustation menu.

Yemen organised a new, soon-to-be annual honey festival to promote Yemeni honey, revive its status, and market Yemeni brands of this cash crop globally.

Michelin revealed the third edition of its annual Michelin Guide Dubai, which includes 106 restaurants (a 53.6% jump since the Guide’s inception in 2022). Indian cuisine continues to be popular, with 11 places; Trèsind Studio by chef Himanshu Saini and Avatāra by chef Rahul Rana maintain their presence in the Guide, with two and one star respectively. Copenhagen is now the only Nordic capital with three top-rated Michelin restaurants. Goan chef Gaspar Fernandes became the first from the state to have a restaurant — Gaspar’s in Lithuania — to be awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for his innovative Goan-inspired food.

Chef Gaspar Fernandes outside his restaurant in Lithuania. Photo credit Robertas Daškevičius

Panasa (Jackfruit) at Avartara, which is a one Michelin Star restaurant in Dubai.

Netflix recently launched its own popcorn brand, Netflix Now Popping, in classic cheddar and cinnamon flavours; it will soon be available in India (retailed by 4700 BC).

Saltwater Brewery in Florida has created edible six pack beer rings — 100 percent biodegradable and constructed of barley and wheat ribbons from the brewing process.

Ádám Fazekas from Fazekas Confectionery in Budapest has been voted the best ice cream maker in the world at the Gelato Festival World Ranking 2024 — known for his flavours like raspberry pistachio, sour pickle, and even herb feta.

The Danish restaurant Alchemist has been awarded the top spot on the prestigious Opinionated About Dining (OAD) Europe Top 100-list, making them the winner for four consecutive years.

The upcoming Kita Food Festival in Kuala Lumpur will have two Indian names on the roster. Chef Johnson Ebenezer of Farmlore will team up with Shaun Ng (HIDE) for a Four Hands Dinner. Vanika Choudhary from Mumbai's (now shut) Noon will share insights at the Festival's special event, A Food Affair alongside Australia's Ben Devlin from Pipit restaurant.

Manish Mehrotra steps away from Indian Accent; new patisserie bulletin

The biggest news of the season was the departure of renowned chef Manish Mehrotra from Indian Accent to ‘take a break from restaurants.’

Chef Maia Laifungbam is India’s first certified sake brewer (called touji), and is currently working on creating India’s first homegrown sake, in Bengaluru.

Elsewhere, the restaurant announces its 15-year celebrations with a residency at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel followed by a Pop-Up in Tokyo.

Anar & Churan Kulfi Sorbet at Indian Accent

Greater Than Gin’s Bar Wars returned with the fourth (and largest edition) of its premier bartender-server competition.

Chef Prateek Bakhtiani (of Ether Atelier) of the patisserie bulletin, Way Too Many Cavities, has launched its newest edition. Cavities 004 is about Cookies, and features recipes from India's most celebrated chefs, a cookie-sized history of food in art by international art specialist Larissa Guimaraes; and an essay on the coming-of-age in the time of cookies by food writer Aatish Nath.

Sbooch Kombucha is the newest booch in the market, with flavours like koshimbir, gor keri, Naga pepper, rice and pandan. In Bengaluru, Mossant Fermentary launched two limited-edition kombuchas – the citrus heavy 24K Gold speckled with 24-karat edible gold flakes for Raceorbit, and Cherry Blossom for Nāvu Kitchen.

Your pet has one more good food option — Heads Up For Tails (HUFT) launched Hearty, dry food for dogs, and have plans of launching cat food next year.

Pakka Limited, a manufacturer of compostable packaging solutions, has collaborated with nutrition company, Brawny Bear for their Date Energy Bars with compostable flexible packaging.

It’s been a season of pop-ups too. Chef Marco Pierre White is making his (seemingly) annual visit to India for a World On A Plate Pop-Up: The Godfather India Tour 2024; he curated a seven-course feast on August 30 at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. Chef Quang Dung from Chapter in Hanoi, did a pop up at Taj Lands End, his first tour in India. The second edition of The Bombay Canteen's Ode to Home featured chef Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery and chef JP Cruz of Inatô in Manila.

Indian spirits winning big; Diageo to open an experiential centre

Indian-made spirits are winning big, globally.

Godawan 100 was crowned the ‘Taste Master of the Year’ at The Spirits Business World Whisky Masters 2024. Agave brand, Maya Pistola Agavepura, picked up four silver medals at the International Wine and Spirits Competition 2024 (IWSA), a Double Gold and a Gold at the SIP Awards 2024, and two gold and two silver medals at Asian Spirits Masters 2024. D’YAVOL INCEPTION won Gold at the IWSA. Bira 91 won 9 medals at the prestigious World Beer Awards 2024, including 4 Golds, 3 Silvers, and 2 Bronzes. Indri Single Malt Indian Whisky has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Whisky of The Year’ at the USA Spirit Rating Awards 2024.

Elsewhere, it’s been a season for limited edition, and new launches. Taj Hotels teamed up with Godawan to launch a limited-edition artisanal single malt, Godawan Single Malt, Exclusive to Palaces of Taj. Izumi Assagao launched a special Izumi Kolsch Beer, made exclusively for Izumi by Great State Ale. Pistola has a limited edition Phoenix Añejo, with rich caramel, burnt butterscotch, dark chocolate notes; available in Goa and Maharashtra. Glenmorangie launched a limited edition, Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old, to be exclusively available at Delhi Duty Free. John Distilleries collaborated with Single Malt Amateur Club (SMAC) to launch Ego, the second release from the brand’s Alter-Ego cask series. Fullarton Distilleries expanded its portfolio with Fullarton Originals —a line of accessible spirits that includes Kosha Indian Dry Gin and Arton’s Reserve Premium Blended Whisky. Independence Brewing Company’s latest creation is Bester, an Amber Lager. Maharashtra’s South Seas Distilleries launched Crazy Cock single malt whiskies, Rare and Dhua, available in Goa, Maharashtra and Haryana

Diageo India will be opening The Flavour Lab by The Good Craft Co., at Whitefield (Bangalore) in September, an experiential centre that promises to be “an intersection of craft spirits, community, and unique experiences”.

818 Tequila, by Kendall Jenner, expands its presence in India with a launch in Mumbai.

Avocado themed restaurants in Mumbai and Goa; Bengaluru gets a Malaysian eatery

Mumbai has a new avocado-inspired restaurant, Abokado, an intimate 12-seat café that is influenced by Japan. The city also has the new venture by Aditi Dugar, TwentySeven Pizza & Bakes; Bombay Daak, an elevated daaru and chakna bar from the Ekaa folk; Kolkata-based bakery and confectionery chain Flurys launched its first tearoom in the city; Nazaara at Marriott Navi Mumbai doing Awadh and Marathwada food; the retro BaaMee; café and bar, The Corrner Room; tapas lounge, Vario; vegetarian pizzeria, Pass the Salt; all-day restaurant Opus at Opus, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai; the European Qey; community café Mazi; VietNom; and chef Seefah launched the fast food Khaomangai.

The Enoki Bloom at Amritsar’s newest restaurant, Shiso.

The Abokado Toast at Mumbai’s new avocado-inspired restaurant, Abokado.

Other new openings include Fiori in Lonavla with European and Mediterranean flavours; pan-Asian Nouba in Jaipur; Bar 2:Fifty9 at JW Marriott Kolkata; Pan Asian Shiso in Amritsar; café and cocktail bar, CoSo, in Nagpur; pan Asian Yazu goes to Indore; cocktail bar and restaurant Atelier V also in Indore; Salt restaurant launches a new outlet in Hyderabad, which also has Tansen, a fine dining restaurant showcasing North-Western Frontier food, and Italian chain Toscano..

Delhi has First Coffee, BeeYoung Brew Garden; the Asian Arigato with a zen garden; the Eurasian Litchi; a new Monkey Bar; and new branches of The Grammar Room (in Khan Market and Gurgaon)

The Caffeine Baar by Chikmagalur-based Baarbara Estate launches its second outlet in Bengaluru. Also in the city, traditional Malaysian eatery and coffee shop Kopitiam Lah is making waves with its food; there’s a branch of Los Cavos, Bandra’s Latin American hotspot; the cocktail bar, The Reservoire; biryani spot Dindigul Ponram; Mumbai patisserie Deliciae by Bunty Mahajan, makes its debut; and Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills launched Kokoon - The Asian Nook.

French patisserie brand, Ladurée, launched at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune. The city also has cocktail-forward resto-bar, Merchant & Me; Narrative; Loam bistro and artisanal fromagerie; and CHA Hong Kong Eating House in Pune

Laduree launches its first tea room in Mumbai.

In Goa, Courtyard by Marriott Goa launched the all-day Colva Kitchen, blending global culinary favourites with Goan ones. There’s also Alag café, sourcing coffee from the North east; Cafe Avocado, Poee & Co, Bonita at Heritage Village Resort and Spa doing global fare; and the Sri Lankan The Jaffna Jump.

Joanna Lobo is an independent journalist from Goa who enjoys writing about food, her Goan heritage, the freelance life, and other things that make her happy. She’s also an editor at Goya. Follow her on @thatdoggonelady.

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