Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in collaboration with the South Asian Association for Gastronomy (S.A.A.G), is once again hosting “Food for Thought Fest 2025” at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Center from November 13 to 16. Celebrating the diverse culinary traditions, culture, and convergence of ideas across South Asia, the festival will bring together city residents, food lovers, and culinary experts from India and abroad for four days.

Food for Thought Fest is the only food event in South Asia that has been organized four times in the last decade and has received global coverage. The main objective of the festival is to bring the tradition, science, culture, and modern ideas of gastronomy related to taste to the masses.

This year, the festival will feature three special themed pavilions, each offering a unique experience. The Luxury Pavilion, designed by Taj Soulinaire, will provide a sensory fine-dining environment, presenting world-class vegetarian dishes infused with local flavors. The special menu, prepared by Taj’s experienced culinary team, will showcase a beautiful confluence of tradition and modernity. With arrangements for lunch, dinner, and high tea, this pavilion is designed to offer a luxurious fine-dining experience to the public. Lunch and dinner will be available at Rs. 2,500 each, and high tea at Rs. 1,000, from November 13 to 16. Online booking is available via BookMyShow.

The Spiritual Pavilion will focus on the religious and spiritual aspects of food. The famous Mahaprasad from the Jagannath Temple in Puri will be prepared and served by the temple’s Brahmin chefs, allowing visitors in Ahmedabad to experience the same sanctity, tradition, and taste as in Puri. Additionally, a special dance performance titled Leela, depicting the life events of Shri Krishna, will be presented. The presence of the senior son of the Daitapati family of Puri will add a traditional and mythological dimension. Dinner in the Spiritual Pavilion will be available for Rs. 2,100 from November 13 to 16, with a special rate of Rs. 1,600 on November 13. Online booking is available via BookMyShow, with on-the-spot bookings also possible.

A new addition this year, the Coffee Pavilion, will showcase the entire coffee journey—from the plant to raw beans, harvesting, roasting, and brewing—through live demonstrations. Visitors will learn the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans and how aroma and taste evolve during processing. Freshly brewed coffee tasting, as well as workshops on roasting and brewing techniques, will also be available.

This year, the festival will see international participation from countries including Nepal, Spain, and the Netherlands. Celebrity chef Alvar Hinojal Caspo from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Valladolid, Spain—Ahmedabad’s sister city—will present a live demo of his famous vegetarian dish in Ahmedabad for the first time. Live demos will be held every evening from 5:30 to 8:00 PM, alongside cooking sessions, discussions, food tasting, and cultural programs. Renowned chefs Ranveer Brar, Suvir Saran, Vicky Ratnani, MasterChef Abhijit Saha, writer Rashmi Uday Singh, Padma Shri Dr. Pushpesh Pant, and several royals and cultural experts will attend.

Two prestigious award functions will also be held this year. The Hospitality Hope Award, recognizing local restaurants for their quality and tradition, will be presented by Chef Ranveer Brar on November 14. The SAAG-AMC Award, promoting innovation and quality in luxury food courts, will be presented by legendary chef Manjit Gill on November 16.

Food for Thought Fest 2025 aims to be an enjoyable and enriching experience for everyone—food lovers, bloggers, industry experts, culinary students, and citizens alike. Discussions will cover food education, healthy eating, sustainable culinary practices, and global recognition of Indian gastronomy. In addition, food photography sessions, cooking competitions, and interactive activities will make the festival more engaging.

PVR INOX is associated as the cinema partner, EazyDiner as the app partner, and Travel + Leisure and PeakLife Magazine as media partners. DeshGujarat