THREE YEARS OF FEA
July 12, 2020
2 Comments
The FEA story began on 12th July 2017 when Anil Mulchandani founded the groups on 12th July 2017,and supported by Rohit khanna, Darshan Rawal & Dilip thakker as co-founders.
Though the food and hospitality sector is an important source of revenue and employment, it has been largely neglected. This is partly because the restaurant sector is a fragmented industry with thousands of small entrepreneurs and only a few large, medium and organized players.
This made us think that if this industry is to grow for its socio-economic benefits, the entrepreneurs need to be connected to each other to cooperate even when competing and build unity within the sector. The easiest and fasted way to do this is by using social media platforms and applications.
Over three years FEA has organized a variety of events that have supported networking and information sharing within the food and hospitality industry, promoted socio-economic development objectives of the food sectors, and helped raise public awareness about the various players in the industry.
Knowledge Sharing Events:
• The GST Seminar with Hotel & Restaurant Association (Gujarat) at TGB Hotel. Since the first topic discussed on the group was the impact of the GST, Narendra Somani of The Grand Bhagwati offered to host a seminar at his hotel. Known for his generosity, Somani ensured an excellent presentation by a tax expert followed by a sumptuous high tea that set the tone for FEA’s progress.
• Software and technology for the HORECA sector, hosted by Nagendra Singh of Treatotel Hotel. This event was supported by Ankit Chona, Narendra Somani, Rushad Ginwala, Mihir Shah, Atul Budhraja and others who invited speakers from different cities to speak about the software and music requirements of the industry.
• Human Resource and Skill Development for the restaurant industry, hosted by Rajwadu. For this seminar, we invited two of Gujarat’s most respected academicians in the hospitality sector – Mr. Nasir Rafique, advisor, State Institute of Hotel Management, and Dr. Jagat Mangaraj. Principal, Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Ahmedabad.
• Food Safety Conference hosted by Silver Cloud Hotel. This event had three major presentations. The first was a food safety workshop by Aspi Nallaseth. Secretary General. Secretary General, Hotel And Restaurant Association(WI), the second was about Deepika Chauhan, deputy commissioner, food, FDCA Gujarat, about the rules and regulations of the FSSAI, and the third was by Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry about their support to the sector.
• Alternatives to plastic, a meeting hosted by Madhavrao. We saw the writing on the wall when Mumbai launched its drive for a plastics ban. We invited manufacturers of compostable plastic bags, bagasse containers and others to show their products to FEA members.
• Eco-friendly packaging showcase and dinner hosted by Deaana/Chai Nashta for those members who could not attend the first meeting. A delicious dinner of vegetarian dishes from the eastern states of India was hosted by the Deanna owners.
• Know your Cheese at Soho Il Forno sponsored by Magsons, Zero One, Saurin Sheth, Saheb Fine Foods, Healthy Browns and Kolkata-based Karma Kettle. A beautiful display of cheeses with cold cuts, salmon, breads, crackers, honeys and teas to match.
• Bihari Dinner at Deaana hosted by the owners. This was an introduction to Bihari cuisine for many chefs and restaurateurs.
• Sindhi Sunday Brunch at TGB. This was an introduction to Sindhi cuisine for many chefs and restaurateurs to Sindhi cuisine.
SOME KEY FEA EVENTS (in random sequence)
• The GST Seminar with Hotel & Restaurant Association (Gujarat) at TGB Hotel. Since the first topic discussed on the group was the impact of the GST, Narendra Somani of The Grand Bhagwati offered to host a seminar at his hotel. Known for his generosity, Somani ensured an excellent presentation by a tax expert followed by a sumptuous high tea that set the tone for FEA’s progress.
• Software and technology for the HORECA sector, hosted by Treatotel Hotel. This event was supported by Ankit Chona, Narendra Somani, Rushad Ginwala, Mihir Shah, Atul Budhraja and others who invited speakers from different cities to speak about the software and music requirements of the industry.
• Human Resource and Skill Development for the restaurant industry, hosted by Rajwadu. For this seminar, we invited two of Gujarat’s most respected academicians in the hospitality sector – Mr. Nasir Rafique, advisor, State Institute of Hotel Management, and Dr. Jagat Mangaraj. Principal, Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Ahmedabad.
• Food Safety Conference hosted by Silver Cloud Hotel. This event had three major presentation. The first was a food safety workshop by Aspi Nallaseth. Secretary General. Secretary General, Hotel And Restaurant Association(WI), the second was about Deepika Chauhan, deputy commissioner, food, FDCA Gujarat, about the rules and regulations of the FSSAI, and the third was by Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry about their support to the sector.
• Alternatives to plastic, a meeting hosted by Madhavrao. We saw the writing on the wall when Mumbai launched its drive for a plastics ban. We invited manufacturers of compostable plastic bags, bagasse containers and others to show their products to FEA members.
• Eco-friendly packaging showcase and dinner hosted by Deaana/Chai Nashta for those members who could not attend the first meeting. A delicious dinner of vegetarian dishes from the eastern states of India was hosted by the Deanna owners.
• Know your Cheese at Soho Il Forno sponsored by Magsons, Zero One, Saurin Sheth, Saheb Fine Foods, Healthy Browns and Kolkata-based Karma Kettle. A beautiful display of cheeses with cold cuts, salmon, breads, crackers, honeys and teas to match.
• Bihari Dinner at Deaana hosted by the owners. This was an introduction to Bihari cuisine for many chefs and restaurateurs.
• Sindhi Sunday Brunch at TGB. This was an introduction to Sindhi cuisine for many chefs and restaurateurs to Sindhi cuisine.
• Lunch at Kailash Parbat.
• Traditional high tea at Rajwadu with Thotha from Alfresco.
• Hoteliers meet at the lounge of Hyatt Regency organized by Vivek Sharma, GM.
• Working with Aggregators and OTMs, a meeting hosted by Hyatt Regency.
• Undhiyu and aam raas by Purohit Thali.
• Numerous meetings related to government rules, online food delivery platforms and aggregators hosted by Soul Square, Tandoorworkz, Gopi, Mocha, Kbobs and many other restaurants.
• High tea at METRO Cash and Carry with a look at their products.
• FEA Anniversary event at The Grand Bhagwati. Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel was the chief guest. CB Patel of Gujarat Samachar UK, Sanjay and Parth Oza, Devang Patel, Radio Jockeys and others were stars at the event.
• FEA500 day event at the Red Earth was hosted by TGS. A lavish affair.
• Regulations regarding Plastic, an event hosted by TGB with presentations by relevant AMC teams.
• World Tourism Day 2017 Get-together at Diwan’s Bungalow with a delectable high tea.
• World Tourism Day 2018 at Gwalia with storytelling by successful entrepreneurs.
• World Heritage Day 2018 meeting at Mani Mansion with a talk by Parul Zaveri on UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance to hospitality industry.
• Chef movie at a multiplex sponsored by Dilip Thakkar with snacks by Janmay Choksi.
• A number of strategic meetings with industry stalwarts.
• Indo-Canadian Business Chamber’s seminar on how to open a branch of your restaurant in Canada, hosted by Gwalia Vanakkam.
• Agri-Initiative with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) hosted by Renaissance Ahmedabad, bringing a number of woman farmers to meet members of the food industry.
• Micro Greens Workshop by Preeti Kapassi, hosted by Madhurya
• Earth Fest – a unique Vegan Food and Eco-Friendly products exhibition hosted by Urban Chowk with the support of Panna Bhala and the Vedic Kitchen.
• Charitable events with various NGOs.
• Lunch at Kailash Parbat.
• Traditional high tea at Rajwadu with Thotha from Alfresco.
• Hoteliers meet at the lounge of Hyatt Regency organized by Vivek Sharma, GM.
• Working with Aggregators and OTMs, a meeting hosted by Hyatt Regency.
• Undhiyu and aam raas by Purohit Thali.
• Numerous meetings related to government rules, online food delivery platforms and aggregators hosted by Soul Square, Tandoorworkz, Gopi, Mocha, Kbobs and many other restaurants.
• High tea at METRO Cash and Carry with a look at their products.
• Regulations regarding Plastic, an event hosted by TGB with presentations by relevant AMC teams.
• World Tourism Day 2017 Get-together at Diwan’s Bungalow with a delectable high tea.
• World Tourism Day 2018 at Gwalia with storytelling by successful entrepreneurs.
• World Heritage Day 2018 meeting at Mani Mansion with a talk by Parul Zaveri on UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance to hospitality industry.
• Chef movie at a multiplex sponsored by Dilip Thakkar with snacks by Janmay Choksi.
• A number of strategic meetings with industry stalwarts.
• Indo-Canadian Business Chamber’s seminar on how to open a branch of your restaurant in Canada, hosted by Gwalia Vanakkam.
• Agri-Initiative with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) hosted by Renaissance Ahmedabad, bringing a number of woman farmers to meet members of the food industry.
• Micro Greens Workshop by Preeti Kapassi, hosted by Madhury
• Charitable events with various NGOs.
• Introduction of Government Schemes at Platinum Hotel.
FEA CELEBRATIONS
• FEA Anniversary event on 12th July 2017 at The Grand Bhagwati. Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel was the chief guest. CB Patel of Gujarat Samachar UK, Sanjay and Parth Oza, Devang Patel, RJ Ekta and others were stars at the event.
• FEA500 day event at the Red Earth was hosted by TGS in November 2018. A lavish affair.
• FEA Annual Day was organised by Zion and supported by multiple members. A hugely attended event. Jenu Dewan, Commissioner-Tourism, Government of Gujarat, was the chief guest at the event.
FEA PUBLIC EVENTS
• Earth Fest 2019 – A unique Vegan Food and Eco-Friendly products exhibition hosted by Urban Chowk. Panna Bhala and the Preeti Kapasi supported the event.
• Mirror Green Dot 2020 – FEA was the knowledge partner for this vegetarian food festival and Sunday Brunch.
• Food Festival of Women Chefs 2020
Trail Leader
Anil Mulchandani is an independent writer from 1992. His articles have been published in more than 50 publications, including most of India's leading newspapers, magazines, inflight publications, newsletters and journals. Largely known for his travelogues and food articles, he has also covered diverse subjects like the arts, handicraft,enviromental and social issues, social development initiatives, industry, innovative entrepreneurs, architecture and interiors, sports, among others, Anil is the author of many internationally-published travel books, including guides to Kerala and Southern India, Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and other states. He has also written coffee table books and commemorative volumes for industry associations and government organisations. He is also a food critic and author of food guides. He has lectured on heritage, eco-tourism and culture at many seminars. conferences, workshops and symposiums. He is also a tourism or food committee member of many associations and industry organisations. On 12th July 2017 Anil Mulchandani launched the social media group called FEA - Food Entrepreneurs Alliance that connects more than 1500 people in the food and hospitality industry to each other for common causes. He has started the Innovative Food Entrepreneurs Associates, a social enterprise with Dilip Thakker, Rohit Khanna and Darshan Rawal who are co-admins of FEA. He was awarded Best Travel Writer by Madhya Pradesh Tourism. Gujarat's 50 Golden Destinations, a coffee table book authored by Anil Mulchandani for Gujarat Tourism, won the national tourism award.
Incredible work. Keep it up. Push young food entrepreneurs.
Nice
Very nicce