Indian Restaurant Congress Makes Global Debut in London, Highlighting the Growing Influence of Indian Cuisine
Indian Restaurant Congress Goes Global
The inaugural international edition of the Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards brought together leading chefs, restaurateurs and industry leaders in London, underscoring the expanding global footprint of Indian hospitality.
More than 250 restaurateurs, chefs, entrepreneurs and hospitality executives gathered at the Royal Lancaster London on Wednesday for the first international edition of the Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards, a platform that organizers say reflects the growing global influence of Indian cuisine and hospitality.
The event, hosted by Franchise India after more than 15 years of operating the congress in India, marked the organization’s first major expansion outside its home market. The gathering brought together Michelin-starred chefs, restaurant operators, investors and industry stakeholders for discussions on the future of Indian dining in international markets.
The congress comes at a time when Indian cuisine is enjoying renewed prominence globally, driven by a new generation of chefs, growing consumer interest in regional Indian food traditions and increased investment in hospitality ventures.
“Over the years, the platform has become a strong voice for the restaurant and hospitality ecosystem in India,” said Sachin Marya, Managing Director of Franchise India. “Bringing the Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards to London allows us to celebrate the contribution of Indian restaurants on a global stage.”
London, home to one of the world’s most established Indian restaurant sectors, provided a symbolic setting for the event. The city’s Indian dining scene ranges from neighborhood establishments to Michelin-starred destinations, reflecting decades of culinary exchange between Britain and the Indian subcontinent.
Among the dignitaries attending were Lord Rami Ranger, Lord Kulveer Ranger and Councillor Aarien Areti, Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Speakers highlighted the cultural and economic ties that continue to connect the British and Indian hospitality industries.
The congress also served as a launch platform for several new initiatives, including Entrepreneur’s Restaurateur Global Issue, a publication profiling hospitality leaders and emerging business strategies, and RestaurantIndia.uk, a business-to-business platform focused on the Indian restaurant sector in Britain.
Panel discussions throughout the day addressed issues facing the industry, including international expansion, changing consumer preferences, technology adoption and investment trends. Participants included prominent chefs and restaurateurs such as Atul Kochhar, Vivek Singh, Cyrus Todiwala, Sameer Taneja, Romy Gill and Dipna Anand.
“The response from restaurateurs, chefs, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders has been overwhelming,” said Preetima Bhardwaj, Chief Executive of Restaurant India and Entrepreneur Media APAC. “It reaffirms the growing global influence and business potential of Indian cuisine and hospitality.”
The event concluded with the presentation of the inaugural Global Indian Restaurant Awards, recognizing achievements in culinary innovation, restaurant leadership and hospitality excellence.
Among the top honors, chef Sanjeev Kapoor was named Global Indian Chef of the Year, while Atul Kochhar received the Culinary Excellence Award. The Cinnamon Club was recognized as Global Indian Restaurant of the Year, and Colonel Saab received the award for Best Indian Restaurant in the United Kingdom.
For organizers and attendees alike, the London edition represented more than an awards ceremony. It signaled the emergence of Indian cuisine as a global culinary and commercial force, one increasingly defined by innovation, entrepreneurship and international reach.
As Indian restaurant brands continue expanding beyond traditional markets, the congress may offer a glimpse of how the industry intends to shape its next chapter on the world stage.
