Tag: smruti bhalerao editorial lifestyle reporting

  • As registrations open, Rahul Rao outlines the vision behind a nationwide search for excellence

    The Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026 invites brands, creators and experiences shaping India’s food and lifestyle space

    Mumbai, January 2026: Registrations have officially opened for the 2026 edition of the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards, a national platform recognising excellence across food, travel, and lifestyle. The upcoming edition is anchored in the theme Redefining Excellence and aims to identify individuals, brands, and experiences that are influencing creativity, quality, and cultural relevance across India’s evolving food and lifestyle ecosystem.
    The Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026 will feature a wide range of categories spanning restaurants, cafés, bars, bakeries, spirit brands, breweries, experiential dining formats, hospitality concepts, and content creators. The awards continue to build on their credibility through a structured evaluation process guided by an expert jury drawn from the food and hospitality industry.

    The jury for the 2026 edition includes veteran food critic Rashmi Uday Singh, restaurateur and hospitality entrepreneur AD Singh, chef Rahul Akerkar, chef and F and B consultant Sneha Singhi Upadhaya, chefpreneur and television presenter Ajay Chopra, food writer Priya Ganapathy, mixologist Nitin Tewari, luxury hospitality and lifestyle curator Karishma Sakhrani, and food writer Rukhsana Kapadia, among others. The panel brings together diverse expertise to ensure a balanced and credible assessment process rooted in craft, innovation, and cultural impact.
    Speaking about the upcoming edition, Rahul Rao, Chief Channel Officer, Zee Zest, said the awards continue to recognise individuals and organisations that raise standards and influence the future direction of India’s food, travel, and lifestyle sectors. He added that the 2026 edition seeks to acknowledge originality, consistency, and innovation that reflect the spirit of contemporary India.

    Registrations for the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2026 are now open and will remain live until 21 January 2026. Establishments, brands, and individuals from across the country can submit nominations across multiple categories through the official awards platform.
    The previous edition of the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards saw strong participation from across the industry, bringing together chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality leaders, creators, and media professionals. The event featured presentations by leading culinary figures including Chef Vikas Khanna, Chef Ranveer Brar, and Chef Hemant Oberoi, reinforcing the awards’ position within the food and hospitality ecosystem.

    The ceremony also witnessed the presence of actors and cultural figures such as Nushrratt Bharuccha, Adah Sharma, Aparshakti Khurana, Mrunal Thakur, Bobby Deol, Javed Jaffrey, Manoj Bajpayee, Babil Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Chitrangada Singh, Aditi Govitrikar, Sara Afreen, and Sumona Chakravarti, along with influencers and public personalities including Miss Malini, RJ Malishka, and South Korean pop artist Aoora.
    As nominations open for the 2026 edition, the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards continues to position itself as a platform offering national visibility to both emerging and established voices shaping India’s food, travel, and lifestyle landscape.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Creativity and patriotism shape Republic Day celebrations for families at Pokiddo Junior

    The child friendly space plans workshops, themed activities, and a special Republic Day experience on 26 January 2026 in Mumbai

    Mumbai, January 2026: Pokiddo Junior is set to mark Republic Day with a child friendly celebration that brings together creativity, patriotism, and interactive experiences for families. The space will host a special Republic Day programme on Monday, 26 January 2026, supported by a curated calendar of creative workshops running through late January and early February.
    As part of the Republic Day celebrations, children who dress up as iconic Indian personalities or national heroes will be eligible for a special one plus one offer. The initiative is designed to help young participants engage with the significance of the day in an enjoyable and age appropriate manner. Complementing the activities, the venue will also introduce a limited period tri coloured food and beverage selection inspired by the Indian tricolour.

    The activity calendar features a series of hands on workshops that allow children to create personalised take home items. A DIY Calendar Workshop is scheduled on 31 December 2025 and 11 January 2026 at a fee of ₹199. From 12 January to 23 January 2026, children can participate in Kite Wall Hanging workshops priced at ₹99 and Tote Bag Stamp Art sessions priced at ₹199.
    The Republic Day weekend from 24 January to 26 January 2026 will include Frames DIY workshops at ₹199 and Flag Art sessions at ₹99. Following the Republic Day celebrations, Customised Bracelet Making workshops will be conducted from 28 January to 6 February 2026 at a fee of ₹199.

    Pokiddo Junior operates from Tuesday to Friday between 3.00 pm and 8.00 pm, and on weekends from 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm, with a break scheduled from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. The studio remains closed on Mondays. However, despite Monday being a regular closure day, the studio will remain open on 26 January 2026 in view of the public holiday, and will be closed on 27 January 2026.

    Located at Raghuvanshi Mills in Lower Parel West, Mumbai, Pokiddo Junior continues to offer curated creative experiences designed to encourage imagination, learning, and family engagement in a safe and welcoming environment.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
  • Christmas Gets Sweeter in India as Santa Steps Into Kitchens Through Sweet Truth’s Festive Campaign 

    Sweeten The Season 25 initiative introduces interactive letters, festive desserts, and a nationwide Santa-led experience across Sweet Truth locations this December.

    Christmas celebrations across India are taking on a distinctly sweeter note this December as Sweet Truth rolls out its seasonal campaign titled Sweeten The Season 25. The festive initiative brings Santa Claus directly into the brand’s kitchens, digital platforms, and customer conversations, blending desserts, storytelling, and holiday participation into a nationwide experience.
    Sweet Truth, known for its western dessert offerings and operating under Rebel Foods, has activated the campaign across more than 350 locations in India. The initiative moves beyond a conventional festive menu launch, positioning Santa Claus as an active character who engages with customers through letters, social media interactions, and personalised touches attached to every order during the season.

    At the heart of Sweeten The Season 25 is a Christmas-focused dessert lineup curated specifically for the holidays. The menu includes a traditional Plum Cake, Red Velvet Yule Log, Chocolate Yule Log, Tiramisu Cake, and Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake. The selection reflects a mix of classic seasonal favourites and indulgent chocolate-forward options aimed at both family gatherings and individual celebrations.
    What sets this campaign apart is its interactive element. Customers placing orders with Sweet Truth receive a letter from Santa Claus along with their dessert. They are invited to write back, sharing wishes that range from simple festive desires to more personal aspirations. These letters and messages extend beyond physical notes, with Santa also engaging with customers through Instagram comments, direct messages, and campaign-led video content.

    As part of the storytelling approach, Santa appears across Sweet Truth’s digital platforms, including reels that show him stepping into kitchens and becoming part of the brand’s festive narrative. The campaign leverages humour and familiarity to create an emotional connection, positioning Santa not as a distant symbol but as an active participant in the customer experience.
    Speaking about the intent behind the initiative, Nishant Kedia, Chief Marketing Officer at Rebel Foods, said the brand wanted to go beyond seasonal sales and focus on creating lasting memories. According to him, Sweeten The Season 25 was designed to make Santa an integral part of Sweet Truth’s story, one that reflects warmth, participation, and shared joy during Christmas.

    The response from customers has already begun to take shape. Messages addressed to Santa include reflections on family moments, small celebrations, personal milestones, and hopes tied to the season. The volume and tone of these letters underscore how festive campaigns rooted in participation can resonate more deeply than traditional promotions.
    To extend the experience further, Sweet Truth has also introduced a Santa’s Sweet Office geotag on Google Maps. Customers can visit the location virtually, leave messages, and engage with the campaign beyond food delivery. The digital extension reinforces the brand’s attempt to blur the line between physical products and emotional experiences during the holiday season.

    The campaign is set to culminate on December 25, when Sweet Truth will release a Wishes Granted list. The announcement will highlight select wishes fulfilled during the campaign, offering customers a glimpse into how their participation translated into real moments of celebration and surprise.
    Sweet Truth operates as part of Rebel Foods, the internet restaurant company behind brands such as Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story Pizza, The Good Bowl, and Wendy’s. With hundreds of kitchens across India and international markets, Rebel Foods has built its portfolio around scalable digital-first food brands.

    As Christmas approaches, Sweeten The Season 25 positions Sweet Truth not only as a dessert provider but as a participant in seasonal storytelling. By combining festive food, interactive engagement, and a familiar holiday figure, the campaign reflects how food brands are increasingly using narrative and emotion to connect with customers during key cultural moments.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.