UK Food & Drink Strengthens India Footprint at Mumbai Culinary Showcase

The UK food India connection was significantly strengthened at a recent culinary showcase in Mumbai, where the United Kingdom’s food and beverage sector actively promoted its expanding presence in the Indian market. This event underscored the growing interest from both local consumers and businesses in premium British produce, marking a key moment for bilateral trade and culinary exchange.

At a special culinary showcase held in Mumbai, the United Kingdom’s food and beverage sector promoted its expanding presence in the Indian market, underlining growing interest from local consumers and businesses in premium British produce. The event was part of the UK Government’s GREAT Food & Drink Campaign, supported by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and brought together chefs, retail leaders, distributors and media to explore the role of UK products in India’s evolving culinary landscape.

The showcase highlighted how changing eating habits, the growth of premium retail formats and rising expectations in India’s hospitality and food service sectors are driving demand for high-quality, traceable international ingredients. Attendees experienced a curated menu by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, MBE, designed to demonstrate how British ingredients — from English cheeses and Scottish salmon to Northern Irish spirits and Welsh sea salt — can complement contemporary Indian cuisine without losing its essence.

Celebrated chef Sanjeev Kapoor also praised the balance achieved in the menu, noting that UK produce elevated dishes with elegance and flavour while preserving their Indian identity.

Speaking at the event, Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner to Western India, pointed out that with the Free Trade Agreement signed between India and the UK, British exporters are well-positioned to meet rising demand. He highlighted that UK food and drink exports to India grew by more than 11 % in the first half of 2025, and that ongoing collaborations and trade initiatives aim to sustain this momentum.

UK products are already widely available in modern Indian retail and gourmet outlets — including Reliance Retail, Nature’s Basket, Food Square and Food Stories — covering groceries, snacks, desserts and beverages. Their growing availability reflects increasing Indian buyer confidence in British brands and signals deeper bilateral food-trade engagement.

The Growing Demand for British Produce in India

The culinary showcase in Mumbai served as a vital platform for the UK Government’s GREAT Food & Drink Campaign, actively supported by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This initiative successfully convened a diverse array of industry professionals, including esteemed chefs, influential retail leaders, key distributors, and prominent media representatives. The primary objective was to thoroughly explore and articulate the significant role that UK products can effectively play within India’s rapidly evolving culinary landscape, a transformation driven by shifting consumer habits and the discernible rise of premium retail experiences.

Key Highlights of the Mumbai Culinary Showcase

Attendees were privileged to experience a meticulously curated menu crafted by the renowned Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, MBE. This exceptional gastronomic journey was thoughtfully designed to vividly illustrate the remarkable versatility of British ingredients. The selection spanned a wide spectrum, from exquisite English cheeses and succulent Scottish salmon to distinctive Northern Irish spirits and pure Welsh sea salt. The menu masterfully demonstrated how these high-quality, traceable international ingredients can seamlessly complement and enhance contemporary Indian cuisine, enriching flavours without in any way compromising the cherished authenticity of traditional dishes.

Future of UK Food Exports to India

The event also featured insightful praise from the celebrated Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who eloquently commended the delicate balance and sophisticated fusion achieved in the menu. He specifically noted that the judicious and skillful use of UK produce not only elevated the dishes with remarkable elegance and profound flavour but also successfully preserved their inherent Indian identity. This significant endorsement from a culinary icon powerfully highlights the immense potential for successful fusion and collaborative innovation between premium British ingredients and India’s rich and diverse culinary traditions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Mumbai culinary showcase has unequivocally demonstrated the robust and ever-growing demand for UK food India. With impactful initiatives like the GREAT Food & Drink Campaign and the ongoing Free Trade Agreement, the future trajectory for increased UK food exports and deeper bilateral food-trade engagement appears exceptionally promising.

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