Factual
Living Foodz to celebrate the Game-Changers in India’s Fine- Dining, Nightlife and Lifestyle entertainment landscape
MUMBAI: India’s premium lifestyle channel, Living Foodz is set to recognize India’s best authentic fine-dining restaurants and lounges at Epicurean Guild Awards 2018 this March. The second edition of the prestigious awards will take place at a glittering ceremony on March 22, with the most prominent names in the hospitality industry in attendance. The awards are co-curated by restaurateur and celebrity Chef Manu Chandra, Chef / Partner Olive Bar and Kitchen Pvt Ltd.
Commenting on the upcoming awards, Living Foodz, Business Head, Mr. Amit Nair said, “Epicurean Guild Awards will pay an ode to the gamechangers of the culinary industry in India. As a lifestyle brand, we have always encouraged and celebrated excellence in the ecosystem through our initiatives. We are delighted to have created an IP that raises the bar with a nuanced and meticulous process that truly awards the best. Looking forward to the second season of LFEGA and curating this experience with Chef Manu Chandra.”
The jury is an eclectic mix of the finest chefs, influencers and eminent personalities who have defined the new paradigm shift in India’s gourmet culture. It comprises Chef Ranveer Brar, AD Singh, Karen Anand, Magandeep Singh, Bhaichand Patel, Ajay Chopra, Chef Rakhee Vaswani,Clinton Cerejo, Anoothi Vishal, Rushina Munshaw-Ghildyal, Kalyan Karmakar, Mohit Anand, Nicole Madon, Nikhil Agarwal, Antoine Lewis, Anirban Blah, Mohit Anand, Osama Jalali, Ruma Singh, Gauri Devidayal, Ruth Dsouza Prabhu, Purva Mehra and Hemamalini Maiya.
Commenting on the awards, Chef Manu Chandra said, ”“My experience curating the Living Foodz Epicurean Guild Awards has been extremely inspiring. The awards are an attempt to rationalise any one sided narrative that may exist around the perception of fine dining in India. The categorically systematic, transparent and scientific method that this has been done with, goes to show the seriousness with which the LFEGA will stand out in the numerous awards today.”
Living Foodz curated an extensive shortlist of fine-dining restaurants and lounges across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Goa. Thereafter, the grand jury voted to determine the top 3 restaurants in each category. The jurors dined at these destinations and awarded ‘flames’ based on their experience. The process was audited by EY.
The awards will applaud restaurants and lounges who offer memorable culinary experiences and have innovated as per the evolving consumers’ tastes. Picked by a panel of India’s finest Chefs, writers, bloggers and tastemakers, each of the nominees have made a mark in the culinary world.
“The global as well as national trend around the very idea of “fine dining” has seen a correction in the last decade. The customers preference towards something serious about their offering, without being pretentious has trumped all others. Therefore, a shift has been witnessed across the board, where young chef driven restaurants have boldly experimented with a clear vision . The new back to basics approach- a focus on ingredients, championing of one’s own biodiversity and skill – all are becoming synonymous with fine dining – not only the rare and exotic. This is definitely here to stay!”, adds Manu.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
