Namaste and warm greetings from all of us at Good Food Journeys!
As 2025 draws to a close, we are looking back on an extraordinary year of travel, flavours, and unforgettable connections. The contrasts of India’s culinary landscape never fail to amaze – our guests savoured dishes at the country’s No. 1 restaurant, cooked in a majestic Udaipur palace, explored the world’s highest tea estate in Kerala, and soaked in breathtaking sunsets in Goa. And somewhere along the way, we may have lost count of all the Negronis enjoyed!
A YEAR OF CULINARY ADVENTURE
This year, our travellers truly embraced the heart of India through its food. One of our highlights was the South India Culinary Tour with Sid Sahrawat in April. With so much focus on North India and the famous Golden Triangle of Delhi – Agra – Jaipur, we decided to do something different and explore South India. It was hot in April, but the food, luxury hotels and hospitality that we received everywhere we went was well worth it. The South Indian cuisine, the French colony of Pondicherry, busy Mumbai, the relaxing charm of Goa with its Portugues influence, and the 2 exquisite fine dining meals – all were unique experiences, thoroughly enjoyed by all.
One of the biggest highlights of 2026 was our Diwali tour hosted by Chand Sahrawat. The group of foodies celebrated Diwali in a Palace in Udaipur, had a masterclass at a chef’s home in Jaipur, enjoyed a 10-course fine – dining meal at the No 1 Restaurant in India, and experienced the beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Each destination they visited was a shopper’s paradise!
April in India means mango season in full swing! One of the local restaurants in Pune, my hometown, is renowned for its mango desserts. The image above shows just how many mangoes they use daily to craft these sweet treats. Needless to say, my family happily sampled a good portion of them during our trip!
HEARTFELT GRATITUDE
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who travelled with us, followed our stories, or supported our work from afar. Your curiosity, enthusiasm, and love for good food have made every moment of 2025 special.
A very special thank you goes to Sid and Chand Sahrawat, whose warmth, generosity, and passion for India and Indian cuisine elevated our tours to something truly unforgettable. Sid and Chand are incredible hosts who find the time to engage with all our guests, pick the best items from a menu and suggest the best spots for shopping. Their support and energy helped make 2025 a great year and for that I am truly grateful.
We also gave back to the local communities in India by dining at restaurants where the waiting staff are deaf and dumb, in restaurants run by the victims of acid attacks, and donated to a charity that upcycles discarded flowers in temples to incense sticks and essential oils.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
Even as we close the chapter on 2025, we are already excited about the next tour planned for March 2026 hosted by Sid and Chand. The group of foodies will celebrate the festival of Holi and experience the best of North, East, West and South India on a 12-day culinary tour.
For 2026, expect fresh itineraries, unique culinary experiences, and more opportunities to discover India in its most authentic flavours. Exciting tour announcements are coming soon, and we will always offer new tours first to our newsletter subscribers and on our social media channels.
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
As the holiday season lights up homes and hearts around the world, we want to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2026 bring you happiness, health, laughter, and countless meals shared with family, friends, and fellow travellers.
This year has reminded us of the simple joy of connection over a shared table, a new recipe, or a story told by someone whose culture and life differ from our own. We hope that your year has been filled with moments like these, and that the coming year brings even more opportunities for discovery, connection, and joy.
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter and letting us share our love of India, food and travel with you. Over the holidays, if you’d like to revisit some of our favourite stories, explore destination highlights, or find recipe inspiration, you can browse all our past newsletters here. We will see you again in February 2026.
With gratitude, warmth, and spice-scented memories,
Team Good Food Journeys.
