From 1992, I have written extensively about the food and hospitality industry. The Food Service Sector has always impressed me with the kind of employment it generates at all levels from semi-skilled workers to professionals. Through this sector is an important source of revenue and employment, it has been largely neglected. This is partly because it is a fragmented industry with thousands of small entrepreneurs and only a few large, medium and organized players.

This made me 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. On 12th July 2017, I started a WhatsApp Group called Food Entrepreneurs Alliance and later also a Facebook Group with the same name.

There was much enthusiasm among the members. Rohit Khanna, Darshan Rawal and Dilip Thakker came forward to say they would help me with the administration, so I made them co-admins. Others like Lester D’Souza and J. Jadwani also came forward in support.

Over the last 800 days, we have been overwhelmed by the big-heartedness of our members – whether it is Kailash Parbat hosting lunch or PurohitThali sending undhiyu and aamras to members.

Today, the FEA groups are managed by Innovative Food Entrepreneurs Associates LLP, an enterprise working for the social cause of the food industry. These groups cover various segments of the food industry including but not limited to hotels, resorts, camps, homestays, restaurants, cafes, tearooms, caterers, cafeteria and food court operators, bakeries, ice-cream, mithai shops, farsan and other snack shops, bakeries, confectionery manufacturers, cake and dessert shops, and even home based food entrepreneurs who make chocolates, cakes, pickles and masalas.

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, NarendraSomani 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 AnkitChona, NarendraSomani, RushadGinwala, Mihir Shah, AtulBudhraja 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 Deanna/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, SaurinSheth, 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 aamraas 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 ParthOza, 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 ParulZaveri on UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance to the 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 UrbanChowk with the support of PannaBhala and the Vedic Kitchen.
  • Charitable events with various NGOs.