Padma Bhushan Pullela Gopichand Inaugurates the 3-day trade fair at HITEX, Hyderabad.
Hyderabad, July 2, 2026: South India’s premier food, beverage and allied industries trade fair — the Third Edition of Food A’Fair 2026 opened at Hall No. 1 & 3, HITEX Exhibition Centre, Madhapur, Hyderabad. The 3-day fair was inaugurated by Padma Bhushan Pullela Gopichand, Chief National Coach for Indian Badminton. The ceremony also saw the presence of K Rama Devi Founder President (ALEAP), Dr. J. Stanley, Principal Scientist, ICAR–IIMR and CEO, Nutrihub; Chef Sanjay Thumma, Celebrity Chef (Vahrehvah.com), and Chef N Sheetharam Prasad, General Secretary SICA.
Speaking to the media, Pullela Gopichand, highlighted the importance of nutrition and India’s traditional food systems. “For the first time in my life, I have seen so many chefs gathered in one place. I don’t think I have seen this many chefs even when I put together all the years of my life. It is wonderful to see the people who bring us so much joy and nourishment, often working behind the scenes, stepping into the spotlight. When I think about nutrition, it is encouraging to see the ICMR talking about millets. Today, as a country, India faces several challenges, many of them linked to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Food plays a crucial role in addressing these issues.
Unfortunately, over the last 40 to 50 years, we have moved away from many of the foods that were once an integral part of our ecosystem. Millets were nutritious, yet we abandoned them. Eggs and milk were essential, but we moved away from them. We had an abundance of excellent vegetables and fruits, but many of them have gradually disappeared from our diets. Today, we no longer have easy access to many of our native varieties of fruits, vegetables, millets, seeds, and grains. Instead, genetically modified and commercially cultivated varieties have become far more common. I believe it is extremely important for us to reclaim our traditional food heritage. Today, with the support of research and science, we have an opportunity to rediscover the value of these indigenous foods and bring them back into our daily lives.”he said.
All on a single platform at Food A’Fair 2026
Food A’Fair 2026 marks a significant step forward for Hyderabad as it brings together retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, food processors, technology innovators, chefs, culinary experts, start-ups and institutional buyers on a single platform. This edition introduces an exciting new feature — the Food A’Fair Culinary Corner — organised to showcase India’s vibrant culinary talent in partnership with CATA (Chef Association of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh). Popular chefs from across the country are leading live demonstrations, curated tasting sessions, Food Competition, Food Seminar and immersive food experiences celebrating regional cuisines, culinary artistry, and innovation. With Hyderabad rapidly emerging as one of India’s most exciting culinary capitals — blending heritage flavours with modern food innovation — the Culinary Corner adds a dynamic new dimension to the city’s evolving gastronomic landscape. As a first-of-its-kind marketplace in the region, the fair aims to bridge gaps between modern trade, food innovation, value addition, and market access while spotlighting emerging trends, technologies, and business opportunities. Over the next three days, it will host curated B2B meetings, product launches, demonstrations and industry interactions.
Organised by Blitz Exhibitions, Food A’Fair 2026 is supported by the Government of Telangana, Telangana Food Processing Society, Chef Association of Telangana & Andhra, Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Nutrihub and HITEX Exhibition Centre as partners, reflecting the state’s growing emphasis on strengthening food value chains, scaling food processing, and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.
