For 25 years, the Hospitality Awards have been honouring the most inspiring initiatives in the sector. This week, the Best Innovative F&B Concept category honours innovative, immersive and visionary dining experiences. More than just a plate of food, this award celebrates the art of creating a unique culinary universe capable of making a lasting impression on guests’ minds.
One category, two levels of innovation
The Best Innovative F&B Concept category rewards the most innovative catering concepts devised in the hotel world, whether in terms of immersive venues, novel culinary settings, revisited cultural rituals or sustainable, experiential approaches to hospitality.
The aim is to highlight excellence in the design of the customer experience, well beyond the quality of the food served.
It distinguishes initiatives in two sub-categories:
- Corporate: concepts developed at group or chain level.
- Locals: projects carried out locally by an establishment, with or without belonging to a group.
Whether nomadic, suspended, seasonal or sensorial, these concepts show that catering is now a strategic vector for differentiation, storytelling and loyalty in the hotel industry.
Corporate awards: reinventing culinary storytelling on a large scale
2024 – Canopy, A Tree Top Dining Experience – Anantara Golden Triangle (Thailand) – Winner
Perched 52 metres high, in the heart of the jungle in northern Thailand, Canopy is a suspended, exclusive and eco-responsible gastronomic experience. Designed as an open capsule inspired by local beehives, it offers a 360° panoramic view of the Golden Triangle region.
Canopy welcomes two guests at a time, in an intimate, low-impact approach. The menu, presented in a plant terrarium, evolves throughout the day: breakfast with wildlife observation, romantic dinner at sunset. The dishes, served in traditional containers inspired by nature, celebrate local flavours and sustainable ingredients. A multi-sensory experience combining cuisine, design, ecology and immersion in the landscape.
2024 – LOYA – IHCL (Inde) – Finalist
LOYA, launched by the IHCL group, offers a culinary journey through northern India, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the plains of the Punjab. The concept is based on ancestral techniques such as dhungar and sigdi, and makes the most of heritage ingredients.
The experience extends to the ‘Paanch’ cocktail bar, inspired by regional traditions, and hand-crafted tableware designed in local workshops. The atmosphere, both folkloric and contemporary, embodies authenticity revisited. LOYA, which has won several awards, aims to become a global benchmark for Indian gastronomy, without losing its cultural roots.
2022 – One Rooftop, Two Experiences – InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hôtel (France) – Candidate
The rooftop of the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux has established itself as one of the city’s hottest spots thanks to its immersive, seasonal terrace concept. Each quarter, the space is transformed around a new theme – seaside atmosphere, winter chalet, hanging garden – offering a renewed experience, in keeping with a tailor-made culinary and mixology offer.
This modular approach, combining design, panorama and experiential gastronomy, transforms each visit into a sensory discovery, making the terrace a true destination, as popular with locals as it is with travellers.
Locals Awards: the culinary experience as cultural immersion
2024 – Spice Spoons – Anantara Iko Mauritius – Winner
Spice Spoons invites guests to a complete culinary workshop, from ingredient selection at the Mahebourg market to tasting by the ocean. This immersive experience allows you to discover the richness of Mauritian culinary traditions through dishes such as rougail or dholl puri, under the guidance of passionate chefs.
Suitable for all levels, the course combines teaching, fun and sharing. Each participant leaves with a certificate and a recipe booklet, extending the experience beyond the stay. Spice Spoons is an excellent example of how an establishment can anchor gastronomy in the discovery of a region’s identity.
Why apply in 2025?
F&B innovation is now a major strategic lever in the hotel industry. Participating in this category means :
- Promote a differentiating concept
- Attract new customer segments
- Putting your establishment or brand at the forefront of experiential trends
- Gain international exposure among industry leaders
Your concept could redefine the future of hotel catering. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your vision: submit your application today.
