AHP Hospitality Challenge 2025 highlights skill & inclusion

The 8th edition of the AHP Hospitality Challenge 2025 concluded on a high note this July bringing together over 350 participants, including India’s most dedicated hospitality students, young professionals, and specially-abled talent on a single national platform to compete in more than 20 hospitality categories. Organised by the Association of Hospitality Professionals (AHP), the event once again delivered a high-energy, skills-first experience that showcased the talent, commitment, and precision that define the Indian service industry.

A defining element of this year’s event was the inclusivity woven into every segment, thanks to Sashakt – Empowering Special Ability Professionals. This initiative enabled specially-abled individuals to participate in core hospitality competitions, specifically in Housekeeping and Food & Beverage Service categories. With no separate tracks or judging standards, these professionals competed on equal footing with their peers in a powerful testament to AHP’s belief that talent deserves visibility, not limitations.

The competitions took place from July 3-9 at some of Delhi’s leading hospitality venues. Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management hosted the Culinary Challenge, where aspiring chefs displayed precision, speed, creativity, and kitchen discipline under timed conditions. The Suryaa New Delhi hosted the War of Spirits and Art of Table Setting, spotlighting perfection in elegant presentation. Front office operations took the spotlight at Novotel City Centre New Delhi, where participants simulated guest-handling scenarios with a focus on professionalism and real-time problem-solving. The series concluded with Art of Bed Making and Art of Towel Folding at Radisson Blu, New Delhi Paschim Vihar, where participants demonstrated impeccable attention to detail, speed and aesthetic skill in a domain that is essential yet often underappreciated.

Each competition was evaluated by an experienced panel of 50 jury members comprising senior chefs, general managers, front office managers, F&B experts, and housekeepers from leading hospitality brands and institutes. The participants were judged not just on techniques, but also on hygiene, creativity, communication, and ability to perform under pressure. “Each competition this year was a showcase of professionalism, teamwork, and rising talent,” said Vinod Gulati, President of AHP Executive Committee. 

“Every participant, whether folding a towel or finishing a plated dessert, brought pride, passion and purpose to the platform,” said Devipshita Gautam, Founder and Chairperson of AHP. “These competitions are not just tests of skill, but celebrations of intent and effort, values at the core of great hospitality.”

“The level of energy, confidence, and commitment we saw this year is inspiring,” said Sunil Bangwal, Governing Body Committee Member of AHP. “It’s clear that the next generation of hospitality professionals, irrespective of background or ability, is ready to raise the bar and redefine excellence in the industry.”

Following the competitions, AHP will host the highly anticipated AHP Hospitality Excellence Awards 2025 at The Suryaa New Delhi on July 30, where the most outstanding individuals and institutions from the hospitality industry will be honoured across multiple categories, including the Hospitality Excellence Awards, Tourism Excellence Awards and Food Awards.