Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 13: The Nitte Institute of Hospitality Services (NIHS) hosted Culinary Nexus 2024: Tasting Tomorrow, an engaging chefs’ conclave centered around the theme ‘Sustainable gastronomy & future foods’. This prestigious event brought together industry experts, renowned chefs, academics and aspiring culinary students to discuss and explore the future of food, with a focus on sustainability, innovation and ethical practices.
The event featured an impressive lineup of esteemed guest chefs, including Dr Chef Manjit Singh Gill, Dr Chef Parvinder Singh Bali and chef Sheetharam Prasad, whose collective experience and insights highlighted the importance of sustainable practices in the culinary world. The chefs conducted insightful sessions, addressing key trends such as plant-based cuisine, zero-waste kitchens, farm-to-table sourcing and the innovative use of alternative ingredients in modern cooking.
In addition to the expert talks, the conclave included panel discussions with industry professionals, a showcase of sustainable culinary practices and interactive sessions with the students. Panelists discussed the significance of reducing food waste, sourcing locally and creating environmental-friendly culinary experiences. The panelists were Dr Prerana Hegde, chief dietitian at Justice K S Hegde Charitable Hospital, Deralakatte; Prof (Dr) B Manja Naik, head, department of fish processing technology, Karnataka veterinary, animal & fisheries sciences University, Giselle Mehta, author & writer (she was also a senior officer in Indian revenue service) and Komal Prabhu, the proud owner of Mangaluru’s very own Maharaja Restaurant. The event emphasized the role that chefs and hospitality professionals play in promoting sustainability within the industry and encouraged students to embrace these practices in their future careers.
The vice chancellor and registrar of Nitte (Deemed to be University) were in attendance, along with principals from various PU Colleges, who expressed their support for NIHS's commitment to fostering responsible and innovative culinary education. Their presence underscored the importance of the event and the university’s dedication to preparing students to become leaders in sustainable hospitality.
Speaking about the event, the principal of NIHS, Dr Chef Dhiraj Pathak, remarked, "Culinary Nexus 2024 has been an inspiring platform for students and industry leaders alike. Our goal was to shine a light on the sustainable food movement and equip our students with the knowledge to make responsible choices as future culinary professionals. We are grateful to our distinguished guests and panelists for sharing their invaluable expertise with us."
The event received an enthusiastic response from the student body, who actively participated in the sessions and gained firsthand insights into emerging trends in the culinary field. Culinary Nexus 2024 served as an opportunity for students to engage directly with top industry professionals and envision the potential for sustainability in their own careers.