Godrej Vikhroli Cucina unveils the 8th edition of the report through an immersive food theatre experience

MUMBAI, India, May 27, 2025 -- The curtain rose, the table was set, and the future of food took centre stage. At a spectacular showcase in Mumbai, Godrej Vikhroli Cucina launched the eighth edition of the Godrej Food Trends Report (GFTR) 2025 in a way India has never seen before — through an evocative food theatre performance titled Feast of the Future. Themed 'Seasons', this year's edition was unveiled not through conventional speeches or slides, but through storytelling, satire, and sensory drama that celebrated food as memory, identity, and emotion.

Based on contributions from over 190 culinary voices, including chefs, nutritionists, mixologists, food writers, and entrepreneurs, the 2025 edition of the report offers a deep dive into the forces shaping India's evolving food and beverage landscape. Seasonality takes centre stage, with 82% of experts pointing to a renewed consumer focus on local, seasonal produce and culturally rooted ingredients. This revival is influencing everything, from fine dining to home cooking, signalling a return to intuitive, time-and-place-based eating.

A Deeper Connection to Seasonality

Speaking on the theme, Tanya Dubash, Executive Director & Chief Brand Officer, Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies, shared:

"At Godrej Industries Group, food is more than sustenance, it is culture, identity, memory, and possibility. That belief is what powers the Godrej Food Trends Report, our annual labour of insight and imagination. Since 2018, with insights from over 2,000 food experts, the report has captured the pulse of our evolving foodscape — from mindful eating and culinary nostalgia to the rise of indigenous ingredients and beyond. Today, the report plays an even deeper role. GFTR has evolved into a strategic lens through which new products, menus, and food narratives are being shaped. This year, we explore the theme of seasonality. As the world embraces authenticity and sustainability, seasonal eating, once second nature to us, is making a meaningful comeback."

Report Highlights

The report notes that 74% of experts predict a surge in immersive, multi-course tasting menus, driven by the rise of experiential dining. 66% highlight frozen snacks as an everyday essential, with products like momos, kebabs, and burger patties gaining gourmet status in Indian home kitchens. Another 85% point to Himalayan cuisines as a growing trend, owing to their clean-label appeal, sustainability, and ingredient-led storytelling.

Meanwhile, 78% of contributors foresee a growing demand for heritage alcohols, such as feni and mahua. Goa has been crowned the top food destination of the year by 89% of experts, thanks to its blend of hyperlocal ingredients, global culinary influence, and thriving food tourism scene. The launch of the Godrej Food Trends Report 2025 showcased prominent brands such as Crazy Cock Single Malt Whisky, Six Brothers Mahura, Simba Beer, and Sula Wines, all of whom served as experience partners for the evening that reflected the report's cultural and sensory themes.

This growing spotlight on heritage spirits was echoed by industry voices at the launch. Rupi Chinoy, Director, South Seas Distilleries, said, "It's exciting to see platforms like the Godrej Food Trends Report spotlighting heritage spirits such as Mahura, also known as Mahua, Mahuda etc. At South Seas Distilleries, we're passionate about resurrecting India's own spirits distilled using the mahura flower indigenous to India, a spirit with which we have a distilling legacy of over a century. Six Brothers Mahura is a heritage spirit of India, which is today made in a sophisticated manner by double distilling it in copper pot stills and further platinum-filtering the spirit to give it a smooth, clean and crisp finish. Six Brothers Mahura represents India's spirit-making history, craftsmanship and heritage. As the global palate evolves, there's never been a better time for Indian spirits to rise in the premium and luxury landscape. What Tequila is to Mexico, and now the world, Mahura can be that spirit for India as it is extremely versatile and can be savoured neat, on the rocks or as classic and innovative cocktails. Trends like these are laying the groundwork for heritage spirits like Mahura to step into the global spotlight as cultural ambassadors of Indian heritage, craftsmanship and tradition."

Abhay Parnerkar, CEO, Godrej Foods Limited, added, "At Godrej Foods Limited, we are proud to partner with Vikhroli Cucina to present the Godrej Food Trends Report 2025 in such a powerful, culture-forward format. As a food company deeply embedded in Indian kitchens, understanding emerging consumer preferences is central to how we innovate — from product development to brand storytelling. For us at GFL, this partnership reinforces our commitment to staying ahead of the curve while celebrating India's rich culinary heritage in a format that informs and inspires."

The Launch: A Theatrical Reveal of Food's Future

The theatrical experience brought to life a vibrant mix of characters, a fine-dining purist, a frozen-food loyalist, a heritage-obsessed traditionalist, and a social media-fuelled foodie, each representing a different lens through which modern India experiences food. Their playful conflict and eventual resolution set the stage for the unveiling of the year's key culinary trends, delivered not as static insights, but as lived experiences.

"The idea was to move away from simply revealing trends, and instead stage them — let people feel them," said Gia Singh Arora, Curator of the theatrical experience. "Food is inherently emotional. This performance allowed the audience to confront their own biases, preferences, and beliefs — leaving them entertained, but also introspective."

Bhupendra Suri, CEO, Creamline Dairy Products Ltd., said, "Dairy is more than an ingredient — it is the essence of purity and a cornerstone of our culinary traditions. At Creamline Dairy Products, we take pride in upholding this legacy, ensuring every offering reflects the trust and nourishment that Indian families have cherished for generations. Being associated with Vikhroli Cucina and the Godrej Food Trends Report 2025 is a privilege, as it aligns perfectly with our vision to champion authenticity and mindful consumption. This partnership not only celebrates the cultural significance of food but also fosters meaningful conversations about the evolving role of dairy in modern lifestyles."

Editor's Note: Food as Story, Season, and Sensory Journey

Reflecting on the editorial vision, Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, Managing Director of Perfect Bite Consulting and Curating Editor of the Godrej Food Trends Report, said:

"The idea for this year's edition came to life as I stood amidst saffron fields in Pampore and experienced the Ittar-making traditions of Kannauj. These journeys reminded me that our relationship with food is rooted in cycles — of climate, culture, and memory. The 2025 report brings to light how food continues to be more than sustenance — it is storytelling, activism, creativity, and comfort. As India embraces a more mindful, seasonally attuned way of eating, I believe the conversations sparked by this edition will nourish more than just our plates."

A Legacy of Insight, A Future of Impact

Since its inception in 2018, the Godrej Food Trends Report has become a cornerstone in food trend forecasting. Over the course of 8 editions, multiple predictions have come true, from spotlighting the return of millets to Korean foods dominating the Indian culinary scene.

With the 2025 edition, Godrej Vikhroli Cucina sets a new benchmark — not only in how we talk about food, but how deeply we engage with its meaning. As the curtain fell on Feast of the Future, one thing was clear: the future of food in India is as thoughtful as it is theatrical.

Godrej Food Trends Report 2025 is available for download at www.vikhrolicucina.com .

About Godrej Vikhroli Cucina

Godrej Vikhroli Cucina is the owned media platform by Godrej Industries platform for food brands, writers, chefs, influencers, bloggers, food lovers, and others to engage, network, and collaborate. The genesis of Vikhroli Cucina was the result of the Godrej vision to bring all its brands operating in the food category together. A vibrant online community of food enthusiasts — from brands, chefs, and food critiques to content creators, and everyday food lovers. Sharing a passion for all things culinary, Godrej Vikhroli Cucina aims to engage and cross-pollinate ideas in the exciting realms of the food industry. We welcome all the connoisseurs of the food world to share their unique recipes or food-related experiences, remain updated with what's happening in the world of food, network and engage with influencers, and read personalized content according to topics that interest you. For more information, visit https://www.vikhrolicucina.com

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