The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) proudly presented the much-awaited Food for Thought Fest (FFTFest) 2025, transforming the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre into a vibrant landscape of flavours, stories, learning and celebration. The four-day festival, held from 13th to 16th November, welcomed thousands of visitors, reaffirming its place as one of South Asia’s most influential platforms for culinary exploration and cultural engagement.
Organised by the South Asian Association for Gastronomy (S.A.A.G) and presented by AMC, the festival brought together a powerful roster of gastronomic icons. Among them were Rashmi Uday Singh, India’s foremost food critic and author; Chef Ranveer Brar, whose panel discussion inspired packed audiences; Chef Suvir Saran, Abhijit Saha , Osama Jalali and Chef Vicky Ratnani, all celebrated for their global culinary sensibilities; and Chef Alvar Hinojal Crespo from Valladolid, Spain (aka. Ahmedabad’s Sister City) created a signature vegetarian recipe from his Michelin-starred kitchen.
One of the most talked-about elements of the festival was the deeply engaging Session on Culinary Heritage Conservation with Royal Families. Here, aristocratic families shared first-hand accounts of ancient royal kitchens, forgotten recipes and modern efforts to preserve these cultural treasures. Another immersive segment, the Session on the Resurgence of Indian Mithai, highlighted the revival of traditional sweets as symbols of nostalgic craftsmanship and innovation. Uniquely, FFTFest stands as the only gastronomy festival in India with a Cinema Partnership. With PVR INOX onboard, the event received unparalleled reach across lifestyle and entertainment audiences.
Visitors immersed themselves in three exceptionally curated pavilions:
· The Spiritual Pavilion, which recreated the sacred Jagannath Temple Bhog from Puri. Prepared by traditional temple cooks, the offering was accompanied by a soulful dance drama "Leela" that narrated divine stories of Lord Krishna who is worshipped as Lord Jagganath in Puri.
· The Luxury Pavilion, which dazzled guests with its artistic interiors and refined Table d’Hôte-style dining, made surprisingly accessible to encourage experiential tasting.
· The Coffee Pavilion, which traced the lifecycle of coffee, starting right from the plant to roasting, to the brew, offering complimentary tastings and engaging demonstrations.
The much anticipated “Taste of Luxury” Food Court, exclusive to FFTFest, continued to be a major attraction. Luxury hotels offered seven specially curated dishes each, served in tasting portions, priced modestly between ₹150 and ₹550, creating an inclusive gateway for guests to experience premium cuisine.
"A heartfelt thank you to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
for presenting the Food for Thought Festival - 2025,
it was great to be here, thank you Ahmedabad - see you next year."
- Mr. Maneesh Baheeti
The festival concluded with the AMC–SAAG Awards, presented by SAAG Founders along with Legendary Chef Manjit Gill, recognising outstanding contributions from participating hotels, chefs and culinary innovators. Beyond food, FFTFest 2025 became a cultural moment that united chefs, authors, students, families and global visitors in a celebration of India’s evolving culinary identity. The festival’s blend of conversations, demonstrations, heritage exploration and gourmet discovery created a narrative rich with emotion, intellect and indulgence. |
