Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 predicts rise of ghee, handmade chocolate and women-led culinary businesses
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Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 was launched in Mumbai last month. It is an expert-led exploration of India’s diverse culinary facets featuring food trends, home cooking and gourmet tourism. “Traditional plates, once dictated primarily by season and local bounty, are now driven by an exploration of flavor,” says Managing Director of Perfect Bite Consulting, a culinary consulting brand.・Rusina Mansho Gildiyar, director and editor of this report, points out:
Our exploration of flavor extends to the provenance of our food, higher quality homemade chocolate and bespoke cocktails. The origin of the food is reflected in the menu, which emphasizes ingredients in both food and drink. This includes a big shift towards farm-to-table or farm-to-bar experiences and hyper-local produce and techniques. Restaurants like NAAR by chef Prateek Sadhu in Kasauli and Palash by chef Amninder Sandhu in Maharashtra are recent examples of places championing provenance.
These restaurants are also driving the gastrotourism trend. Avid foodies want to experience a place through local food, drinks and ingredients. According to the report, “Experts predict that 92.3% of travelers will participate in a gourmet spot tour to enrich their trip through encounters with authentic cuisine.” As for drinks, the platform for spirits of Indian origin is set to expand further as Indian bars have created exclusive menus featuring these bottles.
With increasing curiosity about origins and foods originating from India, as well as a steady shift towards health-conscious diets, ghee has emerged as a popular food. Make way for reimagined ghee-infused delicacies and maybe even ghee-washed cocktails.
The changes in dining go beyond plates. As more women enter the hospitality industry and lead kitchens as well as bars, they will play a “pivotal role” in India’s culinary landscape, the report said. The proof is in the gradual growth of women-led food businesses. There are also many award-winning establishments run by women. This year’s ‘Asia’s 50 Best’ lists Masuku as India’s best restaurant, whose co-founder is Aditi Dugar. One of Bangalore’s most innovative restaurants, Navu is run by Kanishka Sharma and Pallavi Menu. Omo Cafe is one of the most experiential vegetarian restaurants in Gurugram, co-owned by Chef Vanshika Bhatia.
