Festival of Australia Brings Premium Food and Beverage Products to Indian Audiences

Indian Students Explore Australian Educational Opportunities at Festival of Australia in New Delhi

The second phase of the “Festival of Australia,” organized by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), celebrated Australia's global expertise in education and premium food and beverage products. This unique four-city event began in Chennai and moved on to Pune, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi, bringing together top Australian universities and retail partners. At the New Delhi showcase, Indian students and their parents had the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from Australian universities, allowing them to explore educational programs that aligned with their academic and career goals. The event demonstrated Australia’s commitment to fostering educational partnerships and showcasing its world-class offerings to Indian audiences.

Prospective students participated in several masterclasses, including an Academic Masterclass on "Building A Brighter Future, Together – The Education Chapter" by Mr. Kin Eng Chin, Associate Professor at Murdoch University. An Insight Masterclass on "IELTS Essentials: Fast Track Your Success" was led by Ms. Sujata Chhabra, an independent education consultant, while Ms. Shruti Chandra, Head of Government Relations and Public Policy at Prudential PLC and alumna of the University of Melbourne, hosted a pep talk.

The festival also featured an Australia Food pavilion showcasing premium products such as honey, nutrition bars, sauces, cheese, pasta, seafood, and lamb. Austrade had partnered with Jio Mart to create an 'Australia Pavilion' on their e-commerce platform and with Food Square in New Delhi to promote Australian products. A “Retail Dialogue” event during the festival discussed the Indian retail landscape, trends, and opportunities under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), as well as tariff discussions. Key retailers and F&B importers attended the session.

Students from the International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA) in New Delhi participated in a virtual masterclass on “Careers in Global Hospitality,” led by Prof Francisco Navarrete from Torrens University, Adelaide. The session covered entrepreneurship in food businesses and sustainable hospitality, emphasizing the strengths of Australian hospitality education, such as practical training, a multicultural environment, and globally recognized qualifications.

The IICA students also took part in the retail showcase, where they explored Australian ingredients and brands. They attended live cooking demonstrations featuring Australian lamb and avocados, offering guests the chance to sample dishes prepared with premium Australian products. Mr. Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Asia at Austrade, expressed his satisfaction with the festival’s second phase, highlighting its role in showcasing Australia's strengths in both education and cuisine. He emphasized that the event aimed to create new opportunities for Indian students and food enthusiasts to explore Australia as a destination for education and fine dining, noting the increasing demand for Australian produce in Indian cuisine.

Mr. Singh further acknowledged that the growing educational ties between Australia and India had led to stronger economic and cultural connections. He added that the Festival of Australia played a vital role in reinforcing Australia's presence in India while celebrating the shared commitment to cross-cultural appreciation and collaboration. The event successfully showcased the growing partnership between Australia and India across both educational and culinary sectors, reinforcing the commitment to mutual growth and understanding.

Editor’s Note:

The Festival of Australia serves as a brilliant example of how cultural diplomacy can pave the way for mutually beneficial partnerships between nations. As India increasingly becomes a hub for international students, Australian institutions need to position themselves not only as providers of world-class education but also as partners in the growth of India’s burgeoning youth population. This festival uniquely combines education and gastronomy, showcasing Australia's strengths in both areas. It highlights that learning is not just about academics but also about practical skills. By offering masterclasses and hands-on experiences with Australian products, the event promotes a well-rounded, global approach to education. While these initiatives are admirable, the focus should shift to building lasting partnerships. Australian institutions can add value by collaborating on curriculum development, research, and long-term exchange programs to benefit students. Similarly, the "Australia Food Pavilion" should evolve into an ongoing celebration, fostering stronger ties between the two nations' food cultures. Introducing Australian ingredients into Indian cooking could diversify the food industry and promote sustainability.

Skoobuzz believes that while the Festival of Australia effectively raises awareness, the next step should be to transform these engagements into lasting collaborations that offer real, long-term benefits for both countries and their populations.