Bengaluru, Mar 9: The students of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Bangalore brought together flavours from across the globe at ‘Ambrosial Atlas Every Nation, Every Flavor, Elevated’, the 12th edition of the institute’s International Food Festival. The event was hosted at Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Road and showcased a vibrant celebration of global culinary traditions.
Organised entirely by final-year students from the Batch of 2023–2026, the festival demonstrated IIHM’s strong focus on experiential learning. Students took complete ownership of conceptualising and executing the large-scale culinary event, managing every aspect from theme development and menu engineering to kitchen operations, guest service, marketing, and event management.
Inspired by the global spirit of the Young Chef Olympiad 2026, which recently opened in Bengaluru, Ambrosial Atlas celebrated the diversity of international cuisines including Pan-Asian, American, European, and Middle Eastern. The event also highlighted the evolving intersection of culinary heritage, technology, and innovation.
Speaking about the initiative, Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bangalore & Head-South, said:
“Experiential learning is at the heart of our curriculum at IIHM. The International Food Festival is not just an event but a dynamic learning platform where students take ownership of every aspect—from conceptualising the theme to executing the final service. It allows them to develop leadership, operational, and marketing skills while experiencing the intensity and excitement of real-world hospitality.”
Unlike typical institutional food festivals, Ambrosial Atlas was designed as a full-scale hospitality experience, welcoming ticketed guests alongside hotel patrons. The event also marked a first-time collaboration with Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Road, allowing students to operate within a professional hotel environment and gain first-hand industry exposure.
Adding a unique dimension to the festival was a specially curated Mocktail Bar, where student mixologists presented globally inspired beverages blending flavours and ingredients from different cultures.
Highlighting the broader vision behind such initiatives, Suborno Bose, Chairman of IIHM and Founder of the Young Chef Olympiad, said:
“Hospitality education must evolve with the changing world. Today’s students must be equally comfortable with culinary traditions, global cultures, and emerging technologies such as AI. Initiatives like Ambrosial Atlas give young hospitality professionals the opportunity to experiment, innovate, and lead, preparing them for a global industry where creativity and adaptability are essential.”
The festival also reflected IIHM’s growing focus on technology-driven hospitality education. The institute has introduced its AI-powered learning platform Namaste GPT, which enables students to analyse culinary creations, experiment with presentation concepts, and gain insights inspired by global culinary masters such as Gordon Ramsay.
For the students, Ambrosial Atlas represented the culmination of three years of academic and practical learning—bringing together leadership, teamwork, culinary expertise, and event management skills in a real-world hospitality setting.
The event was attended by distinguished guests including Shabinaa Sultana, Guest of Honor and representative from the Office of the Honorary Consulate of Tunisia, and Shiv Bose, General Manager of Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Road, along with industry partners and members of the hospitality ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Shabinaa Sultana said:
“Despite observing the Ramadan fast, I did not want to miss the warmth, hospitality, and culinary excellence showcased by IIHM. The festival beautifully reflects India’s unity in diversity through food and culture. It is inspiring to see the passion and professionalism of the students, and we look forward to strengthening collaborations with IIHM, including opportunities connecting students with Tunisia’s hospitality and culinary ecosystem.”
Shiv Bose, General Manager of Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Road, added:
“We are delighted to collaborate with IIHM Bangalore in hosting Ambrosial Atlas. Providing students the opportunity to operate within a professional hotel environment helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world hospitality. It is inspiring to see the passion, creativity, and professionalism these young hospitality professionals bring to the table.”
More than a culinary showcase, the festival reflected IIHM Bangalore’s mission to prepare the next generation of hospitality leaders through real-world responsibility rather than classroom simulations, offering guests an immersive evening where global flavours, culture, and innovation converged.
The festival was hosted at Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Road in collaboration with Brigade Hospitality Services Limited. The event was supported by key partners including Nutriscan and Campa Cola, enabling students to deliver the festival at professional hospitality standards while presenting a global culinary experience.
