Tag: #food

Business

Swiggy Dineout Taps Bhuvan Bam for GIRF 2026; ‘Bill Half. Party Full.’ Takes Over India

Tanisha Cardozo

Swiggy Dineout has officially announced the return of its flagship dining celebration, the Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) 2026, bringing with it bigger offers, wider reach, and a strong cultural connect. Spearheaded by Swiggy Limited, this year’s edition promises to transform how India dines out, making it more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable.

At the heart of GIRF 2026 is its collaboration with digital creator Bhuvan Bam, who joins as the official ambassador. Known for his iconic work through BB Ki Vines, Bhuvan brings a unique storytelling element to the campaign. Popular characters like Babloo, Babli, and Sameer are woven into the narrative, representing relatable dining personalities seen across India.

The campaign revolves around the simple yet impactful theme: “Bill Half. Party Full.” It captures a universal truth—while dining out is a joyful experience, the cost often becomes a limiting factor. By addressing this barrier, GIRF 2026 aims to encourage consumers to step out more often, celebrate freely, and explore diverse culinary experiences.

Starting February 15, 2026, and running for two months, the festival offers up to 50% discounts across more than 40,000 restaurants in over 60 cities. The offers span across cafés, pubs, bars, fine-dining establishments, and family restaurants, ensuring something for every kind of diner.

In addition to the headline discounts, users can avail extra benefits including a 10% instant discount on HDFC Bank cards and 10% cashback as Dinecash on bookings. These added incentives further enhance the value proposition, making dining out both rewarding and economical.

GIRF 2026 also introduces engaging elements like “Crazzzy Deals of the Day,” complimentary cocktails and mocktails at select venues, and extended happy hours—designed to elevate the overall dining experience.

The festival is not limited to metro cities alone. While major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai remain key markets, GIRF also extends to emerging food destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Coimbatore, and Udaipur. This widespread reach highlights Swiggy’s ambition to democratize dining experiences across India.

With participation from leading brands including Cafe Coffee Day, Barista, Punjab Grill, YouMee, and Good Flippin Burgers, GIRF 2026 stands as one of the largest and most inclusive dining festivals in the country.

Blending food, culture, and digital storytelling, GIRF 2026 is more than just a discount event—it is a celebration of India’s evolving dining culture, where affordability meets experience, and every meal becomes an occasion.

Social

₹40 Meals in Arijit Singh’s Hometown: A Family Restaurant That Stays Rooted

Tanisha Cardozo

In a time when celebrity entrepreneurs often make headlines for luxury cafés and high-end restaurant chains, a quieter and more grounded story is unfolding in Jiaganj, in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Here, the family of celebrated playback singer Arijit Singh runs a modest restaurant that serves vegetarian thalis for ₹40 and offers a special student price of ₹30.

The eatery is not positioned as a celebrity attraction. It is a longstanding family business reportedly managed by his father and has been functioning well before recent social media attention brought it into wider focus. Reports since 2023 and again in May 2025 have highlighted how the restaurant continues to maintain affordable pricing despite inflation and rising food costs.

Open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., the restaurant serves straightforward, home-style meals. The menu includes mix veg, shahi paneer, chicken korma and biryanis, along with the budget-friendly vegetarian thali that has drawn admiration. The emphasis remains on nourishment rather than presentation, practicality rather than prestige.

In an economy where dining out has become increasingly expensive, a ₹40 thali feels almost symbolic. For students in particular, the ₹30 option makes a tangible difference. Affordable eateries like this play an important social role in smaller towns, offering dependable meals to daily wage earners, families and young people managing tight budgets.

The contrast with celebrity-owned premium cafés — where a single beverage can cost several hundred rupees — has not gone unnoticed by fans. Many see the restaurant as reflective of Arijit Singh’s public persona: understated, grounded and connected to his roots. Known for avoiding excessive limelight despite his massive success, the singer has consistently maintained a low-profile lifestyle, and the family’s continued involvement in a simple local business aligns with that image.

For the people of Jiaganj, however, the restaurant is less about celebrity association and more about daily life. It is a place to sit, eat and share a meal without financial strain. It is part of the town’s rhythm, serving food steadily from morning until night.

Sometimes, impact does not come through scale or luxury. Sometimes, it comes through consistency. In a small town in West Bengal, a ₹40 thali continues to be served every day — quietly, reliably and without fanfare — proving that staying rooted can be just as powerful as rising to fame.

Events in Goa

Goa Welcomes the World as Carnaval 2026 is Flagged Off in Panaji

Tanisha Cardozo

The capital city of Panaji transformed into a dazzling spectacle of colour, music and celebration as Goa Carnaval 2026 was officially flagged off on February 14. The grand ceremony was led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, alongside Member of Parliament Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, Chairman GTDC Kedar J Naik, CCP Mayor Shri Rohit Monserrate, Director of Tourism Kedar Naik and Managing Director GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar, among other dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasised that the festival reflects Goa’s inclusive and welcoming spirit, uniting people across cultures through celebration. He highlighted that such events not only strengthen the State’s cultural identity but also enhance its global visibility as a vibrant tourism destination. The strong turnout of international visitors, many attending for the first time, reaffirmed Goa’s growing appeal in experiential and cultural tourism.

Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte described Carnaval as a living expression of Goa’s heritage and community spirit. He noted that the festival plays a vital role in promoting Goa beyond its beaches, spotlighting its traditions, artistic talent and immersive cultural experiences while supporting local performers and communities.

The ceremonial flag-off witnessed an overwhelming public response, with streets lined by residents and tourists from across India and abroad. The atmosphere shifted instantly as King Momo made his grand entrance, declaring the start of days filled with revelry and joy. His traditional entourage set the tone for the procession that followed.

Elaborately designed floats rolled through the heart of Panaji, each narrating stories of Goa’s rich past and contemporary aspirations. Themes ranged from cultural heritage to social awareness and festive traditions. Traditional folk performances blended seamlessly with high-energy musical acts, transforming the city into a moving theatre of rhythm and colour.

Behind the scenes, the Department of Tourism ensured enhanced infrastructure, crowd management systems and visitor facilitation measures to provide a safe and seamless experience for all attendees. The coordinated efforts of local artists, cultural groups and multiple stakeholders were evident in the precision and vibrancy of the parade.

As the celebrations continue across Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Morjim in the coming days, Carnaval 2026 promises to carry its festive momentum across the State. More than just a parade, it stands as a cultural statement — reinforcing Goa’s position as a welcoming, diverse and globally admired destination where tradition and modernity dance together on the streets.

Special Occasion

National Pizza Day: A Slice of History, A Day of Pure Happiness

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Pizza didn’t start in fancy restaurants or trendy cafés. Its story goes back to Naples, Italy, where people once topped simple flatbread with tomato sauce and cheese to create a quick, filling meal. It was humble, affordable, and meant for everyday people. Imagine someone spreading sauce on warm bread for the first time, adding a handful of cheese, and sliding it into a hot oven. They probably had no idea they were creating a dish that would travel across continents and generations.

By 1905, pizza had crossed the ocean and reached New York City, where Lombardi’s became the first licensed pizzeria in the United States. That moment helped transform pizza from a local Italian staple into a global phenomenon. Today, you’ll find pizza in almost every corner of the world, adapted to local tastes and traditions. From roadside stalls to gourmet kitchens, the love for pizza remains the same.

National Pizza Day, celebrated on February 9, is a tribute to this universally loved dish. It’s a day when people don’t overthink calories or toppings. Instead, they simply enjoy the comfort of a hot, cheesy slice. Some people swear by thin, crispy crusts, while others prefer thick, fluffy bases. Some stay loyal to the classic margherita, while others pile on toppings like mushrooms, olives, paneer, chicken, or even chocolate.

Pizza has evolved into many styles across the globe. There’s the soft and authentic Neapolitan, the deep and hearty Chicago style, the crispy Detroit square, the foldable New York slice, and the rich Sicilian version. Each style has its own fans, and each bite carries a different story.

The toppings debate is just as lively. Some people insist pizza should be simple, with just cheese and tomato. Others love experimenting with bold flavors. And of course, the world continues to argue over one famous question: does pineapple belong on pizza?

Fun facts only make the celebration better. In the United States alone, hundreds of pizza slices are eaten every second. Yet, surprisingly, Norway leads the world in pizza consumption per person. At the luxury end, there’s even a pizza in Italy that costs thousands of dollars, topped with lobster and caviar—though most people are perfectly happy with their favorite neighborhood slice.

National Pizza Day is also about creativity. Some people order their usual favorite. Others try new toppings or styles. Many gather friends and family for pizza parties, turning a simple meal into a shared experience. Some even head into the kitchen to make pizza from scratch, kneading dough and experimenting with sauces and toppings.

Restaurants often join the celebration with special deals, limited-time flavors, and tasting events. But at its heart, pizza is less about promotions and more about people. It’s movie nights, birthday parties, office lunches, late-night cravings, and road-trip stops. It’s comfort in a box and joy in every slice.

In the end, pizza is more than just food. It’s a shared experience, a universal language, and a reminder that sometimes the simplest things bring the greatest happiness. So this National Pizza Day, the only real question is: what’s on your pizza? 🍕

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Promotes Community Well-being at Mayem Marathon 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa, a leading iron ore producer with a legacy of more than seven decades in Goa, partnered with the Shri Mahamaya High-School Ex-Students Association for the Mayem Marathon 2026, held in Bicholim. The marathon has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated community sporting events and witnessed an overwhelming response this year, with over 1,500 participants from across the state.

The event featured multiple race categories, including 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 3 km runs, along with dedicated races for school students across various age groups. The wide range of categories highlighted the inclusive nature of the marathon and encouraged participation from both seasoned runners and first-time participants.

Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA for Mayem Constituency, and Guest of Honour Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager, Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, Vedanta Iron Ore Goa, along with prominent community leaders, also attended the event. Vedanta Sesa Goa has been associated with all three editions of the Mayem Marathon under its ‘YouTheChange, YouThePower’ initiative.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Premendra Shet said the Mayem Marathon 2026 reflected the strong spirit of fitness, inclusivity and togetherness within the community. He appreciated Vedanta Sesa Goa for partnering with the marathon for the third consecutive year and acknowledged the company’s wider CSR contributions in the region, including the restoration of the historic Maem Bandhara and the establishment of computer centres and modern laboratories aimed at empowering youth.

Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish said Vedanta remains committed to fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for the communities it serves. He added that the Mayem Marathon stands as a powerful example of collective action, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together on a common platform, and expressed gratitude to the organisers, dignitaries and the Bicholim community for making the event a success.

Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to promote community well-being through partnerships in initiatives such as the Republic Run and the Mayem Marathon. Through its flagship CSR programme, the Sesa Football Academy, the company also conducts football camps and tournaments including the Vedanta Women’s League, Vedanta Youth Cup and Vedanta Football Championship. These initiatives reflect Vedanta Sesa Goa’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of health, fitness and holistic development across Goa.