IHM–Hyderabad hosts the 5th Season to discover and showcase Budding Hospitality Talent

Institute of Hotel Management, Hyderabad (IHM-Hyderabad) - a central government institute under the Ministry of Tourism, ranked the third best institute, successfully hosted the 5th Season of the Budding Events, comprising of National Budding Professional Competition (Manager) and National Budding Chef Competition. The four-day mega event witnessed the participation of 16 teams each in the Budding Professional and the Budding Chef from leading IHMs, SIHMs, and private hospitality institutes across India and Hyderabad.

The grand inaugural ceremony was graced by Mr. Sanjay Thakur - Principal/ Member Secretary, IHM-Hyderabad; Ms. Rachna Agashe, HoD, IHM-Hyderabad and Mr. Puneet Razdan, HoD (F&B Service), IHM-Hyderabad. The inaugural also set the tone for the competitions with inspiring addresses and enthusiastic participation from students across the country.

National Budding Professional (Manager) 2026 – Competitions

Participants in the Budding Professional (Manager) category competed across diverse and industry-relevant events, testing their problem-solving, creativity, and operational skills. The Categories included:

Online Test, Front Desk Showdown- Service Recovery Skills, Revenue Rumble-Deciphering Room Metrics, Sell Me This Pen- Selling Tactics, TAKEOFF - A Hotel Marketing Challenge , Curated Cuisine Combat-F&B Menu Planning, Potion Playoff-Cocktail making competition, Beyond Blueprint-Digital Suite Designing and Floresque- Ikebana Competition.

Based on cumulative scores from these events, the prestigious titles of Mr. Budding Professional (Manager) and Ms. Budding Professional(Manager) were awarded to the most deserving candidates.

National Budding Chef 2026 – Competitions & Awards

The Budding Chef Competition featured intense rounds across multiple cuisines and themes, bringing out the best of India’s culinary student talent in Regional Indian Authentic Cookery, International Surprise Basket and Cake Decoration Competition.

The rigorous competitions tested participants’ culinary creativity, technical precision, and ability to work under pressure, culminating in the announcement of the National Budding Chef 2026 Champion Team

AWARDS & FELICITATIONS

During the Valedictory Ceremony, the following awards were given to winners across competitions

National Budding Professional (Manager) 2026, Awards

PRIMARY AWARDS

PERSONALITY AWARDS

National Budding Chef 2026, Awards

PRIMARY AWARDS

Overall Champion: Chrislin Rose, Katta Nitin Srinivasarao (IHM GOA)

PERSONALITY AWARDS

Valedictory Ceremony of National Budding Events 2025.

The closing ceremony was attended by eminent industry stalwarts; Guest of Honour Celebrity Chef Rahul Wali; Mr. Arun Gupta, Area Director (Operations), Lemon tree Hotels, Hyderabad, Alumnus IHM-Hyderabad; Mr. Arnab Gupta, General Manager, Taj Deccan, Hyderabad; Mr. Ashwin Vaidya General Manager, Marriott Executive Apartments, Hyderabad; Mr. Jitendra Nakhwa, General Manager, Green Park Hyderabad; Mr. S.V. Satyam, Director of People & Culture, Novotel HICC, Hyderabad and Mr. Sanjay Thakur, Principal/ Member Secretary, IHM-Hyderabad.

A series of vibrant cultural performances, including the recitation of mantras, Ganesh Vandana and a thought-provoking Nukkad Natak on the theme of Swachhata added grandeur and depth to the evening, blending tradition, culture, and social awareness.

The event concluded with resounding applause, celebrating not just the winners but also the spirit of learning, collaboration, and hospitality excellence that IHM-Hyderabad proudly fosters.

As the host institute, IHM-Hyderabad participated in the competitions and showcased exceptional performances, earning wide appreciation. However, in the spirit of fairness and sportsmanship, the institute did not claim any awards, ensuring that accolades went to the visiting teams.