Bengaluru, 18 Mar 2026:

The two-day national-level competition, CATEFETE 2026, commenced with a grand inaugural ceremony, beginning with the welcoming of the Chief Guests, followed by the auspicious lamp lighting. Dr. Sandilyan, Principal of the Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (AIHMCT), Bangalore, formally welcomed the gathering and declared the event open.

The event brought together hospitality students and professionals from across the country, providing a vibrant platform to showcase talent, creativity, and excellence in the fields of hospitality and culinary arts.

The inauguration was graced by a classical dance performance by Ms. Ritisha of the 30th course, offered as an invocation to the Almighty, setting a graceful tone for the event.

The Chief Guest, Lieutenant General C Bansi Ponnappa, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, delivered the presidential address, inspiring the audience with his words. This was followed by an insightful panel discussion on "Opportunities and Challenges: Being Swadeshi Yet Sustainable," featuring eminent General Managers from leading hotel groups. The session was effectively moderated by the Principal, AIHMCT. Brigadier V. V. Subramanyam, Director, AWES Campus, delivered the concluding remarks, sharing his valuable experiences, followed by a high tea session.

The competitions commenced at 12:00 noon, featuring a wide array of events including Ultimate Culinary Challenge, Baker's Boost, Mixology, Gueridon Service, Impresario (Housekeeping), and Frontline Fiesta (Front Office). A total of 18 teams comprising 111 students from across the country participated in the event. Food and accommodation were thoughtfully arranged for all outstation participants.

Despite the challenges posed by the LPG crisis, the organizing team ensured the seamless execution of the event, successfully delivering quality food services on both days.

The event witnessed enthusiastic and creative participation from all departments, reflecting the passion and dedication of the budding hoteliers. In several competitions, the performance levels were exceptionally high, making it challenging for the jury to determine winners, even resulting in ties in certain categories.

An array of stalls and a book exhibition added further vibrancy to the event. We extend our sincere thanks to all our sponsors for their invaluable support in making this possible.

The valedictory function has been graced by Dr. Loknath, Registrar, Bengaluru North University; Chef Kasi Vishwanathan, Vice President, South India Culinary Association; and Mr. Hemant Sharma, Executive Assistant Manager, who added prestige to the occasion.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participating colleges, sponsors, fellow colleagues, invited guests, jury members, and especially the students of AIHMCT for their tireless efforts over the past two days in making this event a grand success.