N-E Bakery Conclave honours bakery enterprises from region
REGIONAL: The N-E Bakery Conclave 2026, a focused platform for the bakery sector in the North-East, was successfully held at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, Guwahati, as part of the 5th North-East FoodTech 2026. The conclave brought together bakery professionals, consultants, entrepreneurs, home bakers and industry experts to deliberate on emerging trends, operational challenges and growth opportunities in the bakery business.
The conclave featured expert-led knowledge sessions, industry insights and business networking, with discussions centred on modern bakery operations, plant management, product innovation, quality standards, branding and business scalability. The speaker panel included Chef Manjit Gill, President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA); Mandeep Kaur, Food Technologist and Gold Medallist; Sarat Roy, Plant Operation Manager, Annapurna Group; renowned Chef Avirup Biswas; Mohit Sikaria, Director, Homa Breads; and Idris Ansari, Bakery Consultant, Kolkata.
Addressing the participants, Chef Manjit Gill underlined the importance of professionalisation, skill development and consistent quality in building sustainable bakery businesses, particularly in emerging markets like the North-East.
A key highlight of the conclave was the North-East Baking Conclave & Award Ceremony, which recognised outstanding bakery enterprises and individual excellence across multiple states and categories, reflecting the diversity and growth of the regional bakery ecosystem. Award recipients included:
● Best Bakery in Manipur – 2025: Likla (T Joykumar Singh);
● Best Bakery in Meghalaya – 2025: RB Store (Qutbuddin);
● Best Bakery in Tripura – 2025: Narayan Bakery & Food Products (Manik Saha);
● Fastest Growing Bakery Chain of Assam: Prime Bakes (Nirupam);
● Emerging Bakery of Imphal: Yaishna Bakery (W Shanta);
● Best Bakery in Nagaland – 2025: Dough Re Me Bakes (Mesangla Longkumer);
● The Consistent Home Bakers of Assam: Vanilla Bloom (Upasana Saikia);
● Innovative Bakery of the Year – 2025: Qalaa (Chettri);
● Excellence in Patisserie Arts: Chef Smita Bajaj;
● Home Bakers of the Year – 2025: The Food Abode (Pallavi Kalita).
Speaking on the occasion, Zakir Hossain, Chief Convener, North-East FoodTech, said, “The N-E Bakery Conclave was conceived as a platform to recognise talent, encourage professionalisation and support the rapid evolution of the bakery sector in the North-East. From small and home-based bakers to organised commercial units, the region is witnessing a clear shift towards quality, innovation and scalability. Through knowledge sessions and recognition, the conclave aims to empower local entrepreneurs to compete confidently in a changing market.”
Participants noted that the conclave served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship and recognition, helping bakery entrepreneurs align with contemporary industry practices while retaining regional identity and flavours.
The N-E Bakery Conclave 2026 reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for capacity building, innovation and entrepreneurship within the bakery sector of the North-East.
REGIONAL: The N-E Bakery Conclave 2026, a focused platform for the bakery sector in the North-East, was successfully held at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, Guwahati, as part of the 5th North-East FoodTech 2026. The conclave brought together bakery professionals, consultants, entrepreneurs, home bakers and industry experts to deliberate on emerging trends, operational challenges and growth opportunities in the bakery business.
The conclave featured expert-led knowledge sessions, industry insights and business networking, with discussions centred on modern bakery operations, plant management, product innovation, quality standards, branding and business scalability. The speaker panel included Chef Manjit Gill, President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA); Mandeep Kaur, Food Technologist and Gold Medallist; Sarat Roy, Plant Operation Manager, Annapurna Group; renowned Chef Avirup Biswas; Mohit Sikaria, Director, Homa Breads; and Idris Ansari, Bakery Consultant, Kolkata.
Addressing the participants, Chef Manjit Gill underlined the importance of professionalisation, skill development and consistent quality in building sustainable bakery businesses, particularly in emerging markets like the North-East.
A key highlight of the conclave was the North-East Baking Conclave & Award Ceremony, which recognised outstanding bakery enterprises and individual excellence across multiple states and categories, reflecting the diversity and growth of the regional bakery ecosystem. Award recipients included:
● Best Bakery in Manipur – 2025: Likla (T Joykumar Singh);
● Best Bakery in Meghalaya – 2025: RB Store (Qutbuddin);
● Best Bakery in Tripura – 2025: Narayan Bakery & Food Products (Manik Saha);
● Fastest Growing Bakery Chain of Assam: Prime Bakes (Nirupam);
● Emerging Bakery of Imphal: Yaishna Bakery (W Shanta);
● Best Bakery in Nagaland – 2025: Dough Re Me Bakes (Mesangla Longkumer);
● The Consistent Home Bakers of Assam: Vanilla Bloom (Upasana Saikia);
● Innovative Bakery of the Year – 2025: Qalaa (Chettri);
● Excellence in Patisserie Arts: Chef Smita Bajaj;
● Home Bakers of the Year – 2025: The Food Abode (Pallavi Kalita).
Speaking on the occasion, Zakir Hossain, Chief Convener, North-East FoodTech, said, “The N-E Bakery Conclave was conceived as a platform to recognise talent, encourage professionalisation and support the rapid evolution of the bakery sector in the North-East. From small and home-based bakers to organised commercial units, the region is witnessing a clear shift towards quality, innovation and scalability. Through knowledge sessions and recognition, the conclave aims to empower local entrepreneurs to compete confidently in a changing market.”
Participants noted that the conclave served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship and recognition, helping bakery entrepreneurs align with contemporary industry practices while retaining regional identity and flavours.
The N-E Bakery Conclave 2026 reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for capacity building, innovation and entrepreneurship within the bakery sector of the North-East.