DoubleTree by Hilton Agra hosts second season of Masters in F&B

DoubleTree by Hilton Agra recently concluded its highly anticipated second season of Masters in F&B, an extraordinary showcase of culinary talent and a platform that brought together the city’s leading hotels. The event featured participation from nine esteemed five-star hotels and renowned hotel management institutes, highlighting Agra’s burgeoning hospitality scene.

The day-long extravaganza commenced with a captivating culinary workshop featuring 10 talented young chefs, followed by an electrifying display of mixology prowess by eleven skilled bartenders. The event was graced by the distinguished presence of Bhuvanesh Khanna, CEO, BW Communities at Businessworld who served as the Guest of Honour. Khanna, alongside esteemed panellists, including Shyam Kumar, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra; Ameet Rane, Executive Chef of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra and hospitality consultant Debashish Bhowmik lent their expertise to judge the culinary competitions. The bartender competition was judged by Bhowmik along with Rajiv Saxena, President, Tourism Guild of Agra. The culinary competition crowned Yash Gupta from Clarks Shiraz while Pritam Kumari from DoubleTree by Hilton Agra emerged victorious in the bartender category.

The event’s second half featured an engaging panel discussion on MICE and Big Weddings: Maximising Revenue Opportunities and Ensuring Seamless Execution in a Branded Five-Star Environment, moderated by Vikas Singh, Corporate PR and Placements at Veda Institute of Hotel and Training. The panel included industry luminaries such as Hari Sukumar, Vice President - Operations, Jaypee Palace Hotel & Convention Centre Agra; Samir Jilani, General Manager, ITC Mughal Agra; Manpreet Chabba, General Manager, Tajview, Agra – IHCL and Shyam Kumar.

Bhuvanesh Khanna conveyed his profound excitement, emphasising that Masters in Food & Beverage transcends being merely an event; it serves as a dynamic catalyst for propelling hospitality and culinary standards to greater heights. He underscored how Agra’s multifaceted F&B landscape mirrors the unwavering dedication of its expanding portfolio of hotel brands. He commended DoubleTree by Hilton Agra and its vibrant General Manager Shyam Kumar for spearheading this remarkable platform, which embodies innovation and excellence in the industry.

Shyam Kumar, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, highlighted the event’s significance, saying, “Our aim with this event was to unite the food and beverage industry in Agra. We’re dedicated to fostering innovation and showcasing the abundant talent in the city. We’re excited to announce the upcoming season 3 of Women in Taste and season 2 of Wedding Diaries by Hilton as well which is yet another platform to bring out the talents our city has. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Mr Khanna, for his valuable presence and to all our sponsors, partners, and participants who made this grand event possible.”

The event was powered by IAHM Agra, ITS Global & BW Hotelier and supported by sponsors including Johnnie Walker, Dabur Real, The Glass Couture, Karma Kettle, Lavazza, Shoshaa, and Purple & Pink Digital. The Masters in F&B event marks a significant milestone in elevating Agra’s culinary landscape and fostering excellence within the hospitality industry.