When festive hosting calls and time is limited, a well-stocked pantry can be your biggest ally. From wholesome wraps that double up as quick bases to flavour-packed dips, natural honey for a hint of sweetness, olive oil for effortless richness, and peri peri masala to add an instant kick, these essentials help you create impressive dishes with minimal effort. Whether it’s appetisers, mains, or quick party snacks, these pantry heroes ensure your festive spread feels thoughtful, delicious, and stress-free.

Brand Name : Bharat Vedica

Product Name – Raw Honey

Product Description – When hosting in a hurry, raw honey emerges as a smart and wholesome pantry essential for effortless festive cooking. A natural alternative to refined sugar, it brings both flavour and nourishment to winter treats without any artificial processing. Perfect for baking cupcakes, sweetening brownies, or drizzling over desserts, raw honey elevates recipes instantly. With distinctive variants like Ajwain Flower, Forest, Rose Petal (Gulkand), and Saffron Honey, it allows you to experiment with flavours while keeping festive indulgences mindful and delicious, making it a must-have for Festive celebrations.

“starting from ₹219”

Availability – https://bharatvedica.com/collections/raw-honey?filter.v.availability=1&filter.v.availability=0&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=&sort_by=title-ascending                    

Brand Name – Habanero

Product Name – Cheddar cheese dip 

Product Description – When hosting in a hurry, Habanero Cheddar Cheese Dip steps in as a reliable pantry essential that delivers instant indulgence. Made with premium cheddar cheese, it offers a rich, creamy texture and bold flavour that elevates even the simplest dishes. From pouring it over nachos and mixing it into pasta to serving it alongside chips or veggies, this versatile dip adds gourmet appeal with minimal effort, making last-minute appetisers, party platters, and cosy winter snacks effortlessly impressive.

Availability – https://habanero.in/products/cheddar-cheese-dip-habanero-foods-300g?srsltid=AfmBOopuxlII3fBSkx5e7BwHjkWFKcIWUeWWn0efzX572IE9jTqSOW43

Price – Rs. 269

Brand Name – Jaypore Olives

Product Name – Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Product Description: For last-minute festive cooking, Jaypore Olives’ Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a true pantry hero that instantly adds gourmet finesse to everyday dishes. Cold-processed from the first pressing of polycultivar olives grown in Rajasthan, it boasts an intense, fresh flavour and a natural hue ranging from green to golden. Scientifically certified for its low free fatty acid content, it guarantees purity and quality with no added flavour or scent. Perfect for salads, pastas, drizzling over roasted vegetables, or light festive cooking, this versatile oil makes every meal taste thoughtfully indulgent.

Availability – https://jayporeolives.com/products/extra-virgin-olive-oil?srsltid=AfmBOoqxabVJ-cDDUR4j1o7PgtMfldM0GrtFsz31Spx8DmCcV21LRfof

Price – Rs. 2,000

Brand Name: Naturesmith

Product Name: Peri Peri Masala

Product Description: When festive guests arrive unannounced, this Tangy & Spicy Seasoning Powder is your ultimate pantry hero. A quick sprinkle instantly elevates everyday snacks, crispy fries, roasted veggies, or grilled dishes into gourmet-worthy treats. Packed with bold spices and a zesty kick, it saves time without compromising on flavour, perfect for last-minute festive cooking. Whether you’re hosting a party or fixing quick bites, this versatile seasoning ensures every meal tastes thoughtfully crafted and celebration-ready.

Availability – https://naturesmith.in/products/piri-piri-sprinkler-seasoning

Price – Rs. 500

Brand Name– Cornitos

Product Name– Tortilla Wraps

Product Description: In situations where the cooking has to happen at the last minute and the contents of the pantry have to be delivered, Cornitos Tortilla Wrap are nothing short of wonders. Take the soft wheat flour tortillas, courtesy of an Indian favourite, and fill them with colorful vegetables, saucy sauces, or seared meats to create delicious wraps, quesadillas, or bites, even at the eleventh hour.

Availability– https://shop.cornitos.in/products/tortilla-wraps-wheat-flour?srsltid=AfmBOopFwBGr3mWRhBGsXnILqEWeRDgvj3dhHME5IslBuJbqCLVnkX9M

Price– Rs. 185

The proposed listicle, titled “Last-Minute Festive Cooking? These Pantry Heroes Make Every Meal Taste Gourmet“, is timely and relevant for readers looking for quick yet flavourful solutions this season.

Bangalore, 22nd December 2025: Habanero Foods International Pvt. Ltd. today announced the launch of Nachos, marking the brand’s entry into the ready-to-eat snacking category. Known for its globally inspired sauces, dips, and tortilla wraps, the Bengaluru-based gourmet food company is expanding its portfolio with a snack format that reflects its core philosophy of bold flavour, quality ingredients, and everyday versatility.

Crafted in small batches using carefully sourced ingredients, including locally procured produce, Habanero Nachos are designed to deliver consistent taste and freshness while staying rooted in responsible sourcing practices. The range is available in three distinctive variants, Zingy Jalapeno, Mango Chilli, and Peri Peri, each offering a balanced combination of crunch, spice, and tang. Suitable for multiple occasions, from workday breaks and travel to casual entertaining and relaxed evenings at home, the nachos are priced at INR 55 for a 70g pack, making premium flavour both accessible and convenient.

The introduction of nachos represents a natural extension of Habanero’s existing portfolio. With the brand’s dips and sauces already part of regular consumer consumption, nachos provide a complementary base that can be enjoyed straight from the pack or paired creatively. This expansion aligns with evolving snacking habits, where consumers seek flavour-forward options that are easy to consume and adaptable across different moments of the day.

Commenting on the launch, Griffith David, Founder & CEO, Habanero Foods, said, “Indian consumers today are deeply influenced by global food trends, yet their expectations remain grounded in familiarity and comfort. At Habanero, our approach has always been to create globally inspired flavours that integrate effortlessly into everyday life. Nachos allow us to offer that experience in a simple, convenient format without compromising on taste or quality.”

Habanero Nachos will be available pan-India, beginning with leading quick-commerce and e-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, BigBasket and Amazon. Distribution will be expanded to modern trade and select general retail outlets across key metropolitan markets and emerging cities in the coming months.

The launch will be supported through organic digital storytelling and lifestyle-led influencer collaborations, focusing on authentic consumption moments rather than overt promotion. This measured approach reflects the brand’s emphasis on building long-term relevance and meaningful consumer engagement.

With the launch of Habanero Nachos, the brand continues to strengthen its position at the intersection of global flavour and everyday living. Looking ahead, Habanero plans to further develop its snacking portfolio with new flavour innovations, reinforcing its commitment to evolving lifestyles and refined yet approachable food experiences.

About Habanero Foods:

Founded with the belief that great taste knows no borders, Habanero Foods brings bold, global flavours into everyday Indian snacking. Known for its gourmet sauces, dips, pasta sauces, and now premium nachos, the brand blends world-inspired spice profiles with ingredients that cater to the Indian palate, bright, layered, and full of character. Habanero’s products are crafted for people who want more from their snacks: more flavour, more excitement, and more discovery in every bite. With a growing presence across leading Q-commerce and retail platforms, the brand continues to shape the narrative of adventurous, high-quality snacking in India.

Website Link: https://habanero.in/

Do let us know if you require any additional information, we will be happy to share it.

Smoke Lab, India’s pioneering premium spirits brand, has partnered with The Lalit Suri Hospitality School and Keshav Suri Foundation to launch the country’s first bartending training program for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This initiative aims to provide them with professional training and career opportunities in the hospitality industry. As part of its ongoing CSR efforts, Smoke Lab is committed to fostering inclusivity and professional growth through this groundbreaking program.

Scheduled from April 1st to April 5th, 2024, the training will take place at The Lalit Suri Hospitality School in Faridabad and will be led by internationally renowned bartender and LGBTQIA++ advocate, Fay Barretto from Mr. Bartender & The Crew. The program offers hands-on training in bartending techniques, cocktail crafting, and hospitality essentials while celebrating the vibrant history and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community within the industry. Participants will undergo a learning experience covering the fundamentals of bartending, cocktail mastery with a focus on the rainbow spectrum for the upcoming Pride Month (June). 

This initiative is a partnership, spearheaded by Varun Jain, Founder and CEO of Smoke Lab, and Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation. Both leaders share a vision of creating diverse, inclusive spaces and providing equal opportunities in the hospitality sector. “As a brand committed to sustainability and inclusivity, Smoke Lab believes in giving back to the community in meaningful ways. This collaboration with The Lalit is a step towards fostering professional opportunities for the LGBTQAI++ community, enabling them to thrive in the hospitality industry,” said Varun Jain.

Keshav Suri added, “We are committed to creating inclusive opportunities for all. This partnership is a step towards fostering skill development and financial independence for LGBTQIA+ bartenders. Through this initiative, we are empowering them with skills, confidence, and opportunities to build a successful future. Together we raise the bar for a more diverse and inclusive hospitality industry”

Fay Barretto said. “I started Mr. Bartender & The Crew with a vision to make bars more inclusive. We used to train women and members of the community and inducted them in different bars we consulted for. I’ve waited for this day for a long time and The Keshav Suri Foundation along with Smoke Lab and The Lalit Group is making this vision turn to reality with The BootCamp experience! Can’t Wait.

More than just a training program, this initiative represents a movement towards an inclusive future, where talent is nurtured regardless of gender identity or economic background. The participants will showcase their newly acquired skills in a grand finale event led by Fay Barret and her team, highlighting the art of mixology in an inclusive and celebratory environment.