From farm to global table, Punjab looks to build bigger food story

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At CHEFEX India 2026, the focus is on adding value to Punjab’s farm produce and culinary heritage through food processing, gastronomy and hospitality technology

Chandigarh, September 20

Punjab has long been known for its agricultural strength and rich culinary heritage. But the next step, according to Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary, Department of Food Processing, Government of Punjab, is to turn that strength into globally competitive food products and brands.

Speaking at CHEFEX India 2026 in Chandigarh on Friday, Bhandari said Punjab needed to move beyond being a source of raw material and focus on creating greater value from its farms and culinary heritage. She urged chefs and the hospitality industry not only to source from Punjab but also to “create with Punjab”.

She said bringing farmers, food entrepreneurs, chefs and hospitality professionals together could help realise the farm-to-fork concept and take Punjab’s flavours to global markets.

The three-day B2B exhibition, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is being held from September 18 to 20 at Parade Ground, Sector 17, bringing together stakeholders from the food processing, catering, hospitality and restaurant sectors.

The discussions have also reflected the changing face of the food and hospitality industry, with future gastronomy and AI-driven technology in hospitality emerging as key themes.

PHDCCI Punjab Chair Karan Gilhotra said the participation of around 700 chefs reflected the activity in Punjab’s food and hospitality sector. Discussions at the exhibition, he said, covered kitchen technology, scaling food businesses and the future of gastronomy.

Gilhotra said CHEFEX aimed to connect chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, food entrepreneurs, suppliers and technology providers to facilitate collaboration, innovation and business opportunities across the food and hospitality ecosystem.

The inaugural ceremony of CHEFEX India 2026 was held on September 19, with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria as the chief guest, who inaugurated the event. The three-day exhibition concluded on Sunday.