Discussing the role of food bloggers

'Top Food Bloggers Awards' recently held a panel discussion on 'Emerging culinary trends influencing the way we eat, cook and communicate', where Millennium Post was the print media partner.

The occasion was graced by Dr Suborno Bose, Chief Mentor and CEO International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Kolkata; Sanjukta Bose Director, International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Kolkata; Birgit Holm, General Manager of Hyatt; Mizan Uddin, Hotel Manager, IBIS Kolkata Rajarhat; Suman Chakraborty, CEO, Roman Books; Paromita Ghosh, Co-Director, Candid Communication, along with senior bloggers like Indrajit Lahiri, Rukshana A Kapadia, Poorna Banerjee and Luna Chatterjee.

The discussion focused on our food industry which is evolving at an incredible speed, and how growth in technology has a notable impact on what people eat. With the improved standards of living, many young professionals have begun to experiment in their eating habits.

While locals still embrace the age-old, traditional recipes, there are people who are interested to explore different cuisines. If an individual wants to experience the culture, try new recipes, or simply explore tempting bites from the neighbourhood, creative food bloggers shall give right idea about the best places to visit.

Present at the occassion, Sanjukta Bose, Director, IIHM, Kolkata, said, "Today's youth are more into social media. We at IIHM, encourage students to follow food bloggers of the city. The food bloggers through their restaurant reviews play an important role in the promotion of food industry and influence its audience positively."

Talking about the rise of blogging on social media, Birgit Holm, General Manager of Hyatt Regency, Kolkata said, "Blogging is getting stronger day by day. The restaurants and food brands In Eastern India can reach the youth nowadays through our bloggers".

Suman Chakraborty, CEO, Roman Books, said, "It's my pleasure to be part of this panel discussion. I feel that rise in the interest of blogging and social media has a severe impact on the downfall of our publishing industry and food magazines."

Indrajit Lahiri, Owner of the Blog Moha Mushkil said, "I feel the future of food blogging is brilliant. Social media helps a blogger to achieve popularity whereas blogging helps a blogger to achieve immortality. A blogger should be well read and informed."

Talking about her experience as a food blogger, Luna Chatterjee, Owner of the Blog Mad Food Lover said, "As a blogger, I try to reach as many audiences as possible. The food industry has grown immensely in the last few years because the people of this city love to eat, experiment and explore."

The discussions highlighted different emerging trends which influence everyone's eating and cooking lifestyle.

Also, there were various points raised during the discussion including the growing adaption of latest mobile application for the fastest food ordering, inclination towards organic and healthy foods, acceptance of foreign oriental cuisines, increasing demand in fusion foods which is the growing popularity of the Molecular Gastronomy, to name a few.

The food-ful session concluded with top leaders of food industry, putting forward their prespective about the food industry, idea of change and required improvement in the eating habits and lifestyle.