Organised by Restaurant India, the Indian Restaurant Congress (IRC) has emerged as the most influential platform where India’s culinary leaders converge to redefine the foodservice industry. Bringing together over 1,000 restaurateurs, chefs, investors, foodpreneurs, and thought leaders, IRC is not just an event it’s a movement that shapes what India eats, how it eats, and the very future of its gastronomic identity.
The 14th edition of the Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards (IRC 2025) will take place on August 5–6, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Organised by Franchise India and Restaurant.in, this carefully curated conclave will once again assemble the most dynamic voices in India’s food and hospitality ecosystem to ignite ideas, foster collaborations, and steer the industry towards new horizons.
Purposeful Conversations, Transformative Leadership
This year, the conclave will be chaired by Anil Chadha, Managing Director of ITC Hotels, whose visionary leadership and deep-rooted industry expertise promise to anchor two days of meaningful dialogue and future-shaping insights. IRC 2025 is where gastronomy intersects with governance, entrepreneurial ambition aligns with culinary artistry, and the next chapter of India’s foodservice landscape is not just discussed but defined.
Launching Entrepreneur Restaurateur: A New Industry Chronicle
Marking a milestone in its journey, IRC 2025 will also debut Entrepreneur Restaurateur a print publication dedicated to spotlighting the founders and culinary innovators who are reshaping India’s restaurant ecosystem. The cover of the inaugural issue will feature:
- Anjan Chatterjee – The creative powerhouse behind Mainland China, Oh! Calcutta, and Riyasat.
- Kallol Banerjee – Co-founder of Rebel Foods, leading the global cloud kitchen revolution.
- Chef Vicky Ratnani – The charismatic culinary storyteller bringing sustainability to the modern Indian plate.
These trailblazers epitomize the ethos of the modern restaurateur—rooted in tradition, yet revolutionary in their approach.
Powerhouse Line-up of Industry Voices
IRC 2025 will host 150+ eminent speakers, spanning the culinary, entrepreneurial, and investment spectrum. Notable names include:
- Atul Kochhar – Two-time Michelin-starred chef.
- M. Mahadevan – QSR pioneer, CMD of Hot Breads & Advantage Foods.
- Kunal Kapur – Celebrity chef and TV personality.
- Dr. Chef Parvinder Singh Bali – Mentor and hospitality educator.
- Keith Menon – Sustainability-forward restaurateur and designer.
- Chef Saby (Sabyasachi Gorai) – President, Young Chefs Association of India.
- Rakesh Sethi – National award-winning chef and culinary ambassador.
Joining them are industry stalwarts like Akshay Bector (Cremica), Ajay Singhal (Gourmet Investments), Tapan Vaidya (PJP Investments), Avantika Sinha Bahl (Kikass Hospitality), Sukul Kundan (PF Chang’s), Suvir Saran, Chef Dhruv Oberoi, Chef Dheeraj Mathur, Mayank Tiwari (PVR), and many others.
Debut of Coffee & Tea Asia Summit 2025
Adding a new dimension to the event, IRC 2025 will concurrently host the inaugural Coffee & Tea Asia Summit 2025. This platform will celebrate India’s growing influence in the global beverage industry. Featuring live tastings, product launches, and thought-provoking discussions, the summit will unite tea estates, coffee roasters, café chains, startups, and equipment makers making it a comprehensive showcase of India’s beverage revolution.
Honouring Excellence: Culinary Innovation Awards & Indian Restaurant Awards 2025
Two prestigious award platforms will anchor the conclave:
- Culinary Innovation Awards 2025 – Recognizing trailblazers in plant-based cuisine, kitchen automation, beverage innovation, culinary mentorship, and supply chain technology.
- Indian Restaurant Awards 2025 – Celebrating operational and creative excellence across categories like Restaurant of the Year, Best QSR, Café/Nightlife Concept, Marketing Leader, Digital Influencer of the Year, and Woman Chef of the Year.
Designed for Insight, Built for Scale
The two-day agenda will feature:
Panels on scaling with technology, sustainable kitchens, global brand expansion, and digital disruption in F&B.
Workshops led by culinary masters and visionary founders.
- Startup zones spotlighting emerging foodpreneurs.
“With the 14th edition of IRC and the launch of Coffee & Tea Asia Summit 2025, we are not merely organising events—we are building platforms for industry-wide transformation,” says Sachin Marya, Managing Director, Franchise India Dotcom Ltd. “This conclave is where ideas translate into partnerships, entrepreneurs evolve into industry leaders, and India’s food and hospitality sector prepares for its next leap forward.”
The Future of Food Starts Here
Since its inception in 2011, the Indian Restaurant Congress has grown to become the definitive forum for India’s foodservice sector. In 2025, IRC promises not just participation but a platform for perspective, purpose, and progress. Whether it’s learning from Michelin-starred chefs, exploring AI-driven kitchens, or pioneering plant-based revolutions, IRC 2025 will be the epicenter where the next chapter of India’s culinary journey begins.
