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From stalwarts like Rohit Khattar, AD Singh, Rocky Mohan, Zorawar Kalra, RJ Khurafati Nitin, Rocky Singh, and Mayur Sharma, to culinary leaders such as Chef Manisha Bhasin, Chef Manish Mehrotra, Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ajay Chopra,  Chef Saby Gorai amongst others, the gathering reflected the depth and diversity of Delhi NCR’s food culture.

What sets The Big F Awards apart is its uncompromising commitment to fairness. The honours are not influenced by sponsorships or lobbying. Each year, an independent jury visits nominated restaurants, experiences their food, and casts a single, non-revisable vote. Winners are revealed only on the night of the awards, ensuring transparency and keeping the suspense intact till the very end.

The 2025 jury featured some of the most respected names in the culinary and hospitality world: Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Sabyasachi Gorai, Sameer Bawa, RJ Khurafati Nitin, Chef Nita Mehta, Rocky Singh, Chef Ashish Bhasin, Diwan Gautam Anand, and host Pawan Soni himself.

“The Big F Awards have always stood for honest recognition,” said Pawan Soni during his address. “This gathering reflects the incredible depth of talent, passion, and creativity that defines Delhi NCR’s dining culture. We celebrated chefs who preserve heritage with pride, visionaries who are redefining how we experience food, and restaurants that have earned trust through years of consistency. Awards matter only when they are deserved, not when they are bought, and last night was about applauding the people who bring joy, comfort, and inspiration to our lives through food.”

The evening recognised some of the most inspiring names in the industry. Rohit Khattar was honoured with the Culinary Icon Award. Varun Tuli was named Best Restaurateur and Sahil Sambhi received the award for Best Nightlife Entrepreneur. The legendary Bukhara at ITC Maurya joined the Hall of Fame, where it will be recognised each year but will no longer compete in the awards.

The ceremony wasn’t only about competition. It was also a night of meaningful conversations, reunions, and collaborations. Guests enjoyed a specially curated menu by the Le Meridien team that added to the flavour of the celebration. The winners represented every facet of the dining landscape, from boutique spaces to landmark establishments, showing how Delhi NCR continues to evolve as a culinary powerhouse.

Since its inception in 2014, The Big F Awards has grown into one of the capital’s most authentic platforms for recognition, dialogue, and exchange. The 2025 edition carried this legacy forward, with conversations spilling beyond the stage and sparking collaborations that promise to shape the future of dining in the region.

For the many who gathered, the night was more than an awards ceremony. It was a celebration of food, community, and the people who make dining in Delhi NCR unforgettable.

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The summit is a flagship event that brings together key stakeholders from across the food delivery ecosystem, including restaurant owners, cloud kitchen operators, aggregators, logistics providers, technology innovators, policymakers, and investors, to discuss the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping India’s thriving food delivery industry.

Following three successful editions, the 2025 summit will focus on the evolving food delivery landscape and drive growth through new channels and technologies. The summit will include thought-provoking panel discussions, workshops, product showcases, and networking opportunities for more than 2000 plus attendees travelling from 20+ cities, 50+ speakers, and 5+ panel discussions. Key panel discussions at the summit will explore important topics in the industry, including, Tech as a Margin Multiplier: Unlocking Profitability in Food Delivery, Margins That Matter: Topline vs Bottomline, and Winning Alternatives to Aggregator Dependency, among others.

Some of the key speakers who will be sharing their thoughts in what is shaping up to be a landmark event for the food delivery space are Sagar Daryani, President, NRAI, CEO & Co-Founder, Wow! Momo Foods, Riyaaz Amlani, CEO & MD, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., Kabir Suri, CoFounder & Director, Azure Hospitality, Zorawar Kalra, Vice President, NRAI, Founder & Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., Anshul Gupta, CoFounder, EatClub, Ashish Tulsian, CoFounder & CEO, Restroworks, Chef Kunal Kapur, Celebrity Chef, Moksh Chopra, General Manager, KFC India & Partner Countries, Kabir Jeet Singh, Founder & CEO, Burger Singh, Tarak Bhattacharya, ED & CEO, Mad Over Donuts, Raghav Joshi, CoFounder, Rebel Foods amongst many more.

The well-known and highly respected speakers will be discussing multiple themes including:

• Future of Hyperlocal Delivery Models
• Investment Trends in the Food Tech Space
• Policy and Regulatory Landscape
• Innovations and solutions that are revolutionizing the food delivery ecosystem

The event promises dynamic participation from leading aggregators, tech enablers, delivery partners, restaurant chains, and start-ups.

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NRAI Townhall 10.0 saw participation and attendees from a wide-ranging list of industry stakeholders including restaurateurs and industry experts. The townhall provided an engaging platform to debate the complex and fast-declining relationship between food aggregators and the restaurant ecosystem due to the recent uncompetitive practices of the aggregators. Leading restauranteurs and industry veterans took the time to passionately discuss this critical issue by vociferously highlighting the challenges and opportunities brought about by aggregator platforms.

Among many of the issues that were discussed, the key issues that were brought up in NRAI Townhall 10.0 were:

• Private Labelling by Aggregators: Concerns over monopolization by platforms launching private labels and leveraging restaurant data.
• Aggregator Payment Platforms: The bundling of payment gateways with reservation services, eroding autonomy and adding unnecessary costs.
• Deep Discounting Practices: Aggressive discount strategies disrupting the dine-in and food delivery sectors.

Key Findings from Audience Polls

During the course of the Townhall, NRAI conducted live polls to gauge the viewer’s sentiment on critical issues surrounding food aggregators. The polls saw enthusiastic participation, with respondents voicing strong opinions on the challenges facing the restaurant industry.

Key insights from the polls include:

• 92% of viewers believe that customer data is essential and necessary in bettering customer experience.
• 70% of viewers believe that private labels in Quick Commerce are already impacting their business.
• 69% of viewers believe that they have no negotiation powers with respect to commissions.
• 42% of viewers believe that flexibility is needed when it comes to discounting.
• 42% of viewers feel that flexibility is required in aggregators.

• 34% of viewers believe that Aggregators have stolen customers and have converted customers of restaurants into their own customers.

Key highlights of the discussion during Townhall:

Anurag Katriar, Founder & MD of Indigo Hospitality moderated the Leader’s panel with Industry Stalwarts.

Sagar Daryani, NRAI President, said, “India’s food delivery industry is at a crossroads, with profitability, sustainability, and fairness being put to the test. While we welcome developments such as quick commerce in the food delivery space, we are deeply concerned about aggregators expanding into private labels, leveraging restaurant data, and competing directly with their own partners. This practice not only creates an unfair playing field, but it also undermines the trust that is at the foundation of this ecosystem. The lack of transparency in policies, rising commissions, and aggressive ad-driven visibility models are all contributing to restaurants’ unsustainable position. We are committed to finding solutions, which include investigating third-party alternatives, encouraging dine-in growth, and working with aggregators on more equitable terms. Our industry’s survival and sustainability rely on creating a balanced ecosystem that considers the interests of all stakeholders.”

Pranav M Rungta, NRAI Vice President, Director – Mint Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., highlighted, “We saw tremendous engagement, with more than 8,000 viewers and 3,000 + active comments—proof that our collective voice is making an impact. Now more than ever, unity is key to driving the change our industry needs. While aggregators do add some value, we must ensure they support our growth without taking control. Through continuous dialogue with ministers and trustees, we are committed to safeguarding the interests of our fraternity and shaping a future where we lead with strength and collaboration.” 

Zorawar Kalra, NRAI Vice President, Founder & Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd said, “The restaurant industry is built on authenticity, experiences, and value—none of which should be compromised by the cycle of deep discounting and unfair terms imposed by aggregators. While these platforms have undeniably expanded reach, their approach must align with the sustainability of the dining-out ecosystem. Collaboration is essential, but it must be fair and balanced. Restaurants should focus on creating memorable experiences, adding value during off-peak hours, and fostering direct connections with their customers. Only when we reclaim the narrative and move away from a dependency on discounts can we truly preserve the integrity and profitability of our industry.”

Riyaaz Amlani, Founder & Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd, said, “The restaurant business has always been about personal connections, exceptional food, and memorable experiences. While aggregators have undeniably transformed the way customers discover and engage with us, they should be seen as tools to amplify our reach—not as gatekeepers of our customer relationships. Restaurateurs must take charge by fostering direct connections with diners, offering consistent value across channels, and using these platforms strategically as marketing avenues rather than relying on them entirely. The future of our industry depends on how we strike this balance while staying true to the heart of hospitality.”

Praful Chandawarkar, Managing Director, Chiranjeev Restaurant and Foods Pvt. Ltd. remarked saying, “Aggregators are increasingly taking control of areas like hygiene audits, but that authority should rest with restaurants. For the fraternity to reclaim our space, the industry must focus on enhancing the product—improving ambience, service, food safety, and nutrition density. When we lead with quality, aggregators become tools, not controllers. Unlike restaurants that strive to earn customer loyalty, aggregators treat loyalty as something to be sold, burdening us( fraternity) with programs that come at an unfair cost. It’s time for a movement toward excellence and independence in the restaurant industry.” 

Gauri Devidayal, Co-Founder & Director, Food Matters India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Aggregators are pushing an unnecessary link between table reservations and payment gateways, claiming it benefits customers, but the reality is different. Customers already have multiple payment options, and bundling these services only imposes restrictions on restaurants while adding no real value. Unlike delivery, which involves operational efforts justifying commissions, reservations do not. Restaurants must reject commission-based fees for reservations, demand a fixed-fee model, and advocate for the separation of payment gateways to safeguard their independence and ensure fair practices.” 

Anshul Gupta, Co-Founder, Eat Clubs said, “The restaurant industry has played a pivotal role in building the food delivery ecosystem, yet we now face a significant challenge as aggregators shift from partners to competitors. By setting up private labels, leveraging exclusive data, and occupying premium visibility on their platforms, they are directly competing with the very restaurants that helped establish their success. This shift undermines trust and fairness in the ecosystem. The time has come to address these practices and ensure a level playing field—one that respects the partnership between platforms and restaurants while safeguarding the interests of operators of all scales, from single outlets to national chains.”

Thomas Fenn, Partner, Mahabelly commented saying, “Table reservations are an essential service for restaurants, but aggregators are bundling them with non-essential services, forcing us to adopt their payment gateways and unnecessarily share sensitive customer data, like payment habits and business size. This practice allows aggregators to control pricing dynamics and offer discounts, while adding little to no incremental value from a service perspective. Restaurants must focus on delinking essential services from non-essential ones and avoid adopting services that don’t contribute to their growth or efficiency.” 

During the Townhall, NRAI and its member partners focused on trying to find solutions to increase transparency and trust by attempting to get the Food Aggregators to adhere to clear and fair policies for both parties, including data sharing amongst others, to build trust. The townhall received overwhelming appreciation from all participants for its comprehensive discussions and actionable insights. 

NRAI announced its commitment to further engage in continued dialogue with aggregators, policymakers, and industry leaders to advocate for reforms and build a transparent, equitable environment for the restaurant community. The Association firmly believes that a collaborative approach involving the industry, policymakers, and regulators is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the Indian restaurant sector.

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The Heritage Menu at Masala Library offers a diverse array of culinary delights, including the likes of Pesto Kebab, Dal Chaval Arancini, Braised Lamb Chops, Curry Leaf and Garlic Prawns, Jalebi Caviar, and many other dishes that showcases the brand’s dedication to both innovation and tradition.

Zorawar Kalra, Managing Director, Massive Restaurant, expressed his excitement for the new menu. Chef Sabby, the creative force behind the new menu says, ”The Heritage is a chance for diners to have the sense of choice that comes with an a’ la carte menu along with the experience of getting multiple courses that gives a range flavour profile to the customers. For our chefs it’s a new challenge that we are excited to embark on.’’

The Masala Library was launched in 2013. The brand has 2 outlets as of 2023. The restaurant has an average capacity of approx. 86 people. 

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Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista Coffee, says, “In the current era, digitization has become of supreme essence. We have been evaluating a loyalty solution for our customers for a while and did evaluate a few service providers for the same. I am happy to share that we have signed up a mandate with Fudr for developing our loyalty app considering the proactive approach of the team and detailed insights provided during the shortlisting process. We are excited to launch our loyalty app soon with the Fudr team and I am sure this will enable more seamless interactions with our guests and create a more rewarding environment for them as they engage with us across multiple stores.”

Founded by technology & marketing professionals Aayush Khandpur, Prem Lokesh, Shobhit Marwah and Akshat Khandpur, Fudr helps F&B brands in India build their app economies through its SaaS-based App builder stack that is fully integrated with POS and payment systems.

Aayush Khandpur, Co-founder & CEO, Fudr says, “Fudr is not merely an app but an investment in the future of restaurant chains. In this AI-driven era, we believe technologies should focus on direct connection with their customers, rather than going through aggregators. Customer preferences and usage data are restaurant key IP that should be used to build long-term engagement and loyalty. That’s why we’re creating a Unified Restaurant Interface (URI). It’s a hub for all customer interactions and acts as a flywheel, using past data to continually refine and personalise experiences. With our strategic partnership with Barista, we aim to elevate the brand presence and cultivate meaningful connections along with maximising customer satisfaction and loyalty.”

With such disruptive partnerships, Fudr aims to build a robust digital infrastructure for the mid and large restaurant brands by helping them roll out complex tech solutions for setting up their apps to drive higher customer engagement and retention, without increasing dependency on food aggregator apps, which is now a duopoly.

Fudr has been growing consistently in the last 12 months. The company, which currently serves over 20 restaurant chains pan India, is planning to add 150 restaurant brands in the next 18 – 24 months. Fudr also plans to expand its presence globally by entering key markets like South East Asia and MENA regions while growing horizontally in India as they expand their platform offerings to other fast-growing sectors like D2C, salon and wellness.

According to industry reports, India’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) market continues to go from strength to strength and is projected to reach $50 billion of annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 2030, nearly quadrupling its size today. The ecosystem undoubtedly continues to mature even in the current market environment. Statista data also reveals that the Indian restaurant industry has massively grown in the organised sector and the unorganised sector, providing FUDR with a substantial market to build on.

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