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.

Blue Tribe Foods is rewriting the rules of plant-based eating with its all-new chicken nuggets, redefining what’s possible in sustainable snacking. Thanks to a breakthrough high- moisture cooking process, these nuggets boast a texture so remarkably meaty you might forget they’re entirely plant-based. Not only does this innovation enhance taste, but it also increases the protein content by 50% compared to the previous batch, offering a nutritional profile comparable to traditional chicken nuggets. These nuggets also pack more than 4x the protein of regular veg nuggets.

The nuggets come with a range of health benefits, including being protein-rich, zero cholesterol, hormone-free, and 100% animal-free. True to their commitment to the planet, they are free from antibiotics and palm oil, ensuring every bite is kind to your health and the environment.

Making sustainable eating accessible, these nuggets are priced on par with meat-based options, breaking down barriers to mainstream plant-based consumption. It’s a bold step toward making sustainable, healthy choices easy for everyone, without compromising on flavor or budget.

Known for their commitment to a sustainable lifestyle, one of India’s most beloved celebrity couples, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli embody Blue Tribe’s mission to make plant-based eating mainstream.

Anushka Sharma, said, “Blue Tribe is leading a quiet revolution, and these nuggets are the future of food which can be both indulgent and healthy. As someone who cares deeply about making mindful choices, I am happy that these nuggets are a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets purpose. It’s not just food—it’s a movement toward a better, more conscious world.”

Virat Kohli said, “The journey to better eating doesn’t have to be boring, and Blue Tribe has nailed that balance. These nuggets are more than just a snack—they’re a statement that taste and sustainability can go hand in hand. It’s exciting to see how Blue Tribe is making plant-based eating mainstream in such an authentic and delicious way”

Instagram Link 1– https://www.instagram.com/p/DC_DLAuzLnl/

Instagram Link 2 – https://www.instagram.com/p/DC_Eri6ti2-/

With this launch, Blue Tribe Foods continues to prove that plant-based foods aren’t just alternatives—they’re the future. The new chicken nuggets are now available at major retail outlets and online platforms.

The SPACE TOWER is a product from Blum, which manufactures products in Austria and is a global leader in furniture fittings. If you’re looking for a tall storage unit with plenty of storage space, customizable inner pull-outs, and easy access to objects from all three sides, look no further than the SPACE TOWER. This is the most convenient and ergonomic way to store items.

For further user convenience, the unit can be equipped with a variety of motion technologies. It pulls out and opens automatically – with just a single touch — thanks to the SERVO-DRIVE electrical motion support system. They close again softly and effortlessly with soft-close BLUMOTION. Pull-outs can also be equipped with mechanical TIP-ON BLUMOTION, and handle-less doors can also be opened with TIP-ON, which requires just one push to open the door and a push to close.For further user convenience, the unit can be equipped with a variety of motion technologies. It pulls out and opens automatically – with just a single touch — thanks to the SERVO-DRIVE electrical motion support system. They close again softly and effortlessly with soft-close BLUMOTION. Pull-outs can also be equipped with mechanical TIP-ON BLUMOTION, and handle-less doors can also be opened with TIP-ON, which requires just one push to open the door and a push to close.

The SPACE TOWER has full extensions that give you clear visibility and easy access to provisions from all three sides (left, right and even the front). Inner dividing systems or inner organizers tidy up interiors and give you clear visibility of contents. They also make sure that nothing falls over.  Each drawer has an impressive load-bearing capacity (up to a total weight of 70 kg) so the larder unit can even safely hold heavy items such as bottles. It is available in a variety of heights, widths, and depths, and can be tailored to your individual storage space needs.

This SPACE TOWER is equipped with LEGRABOX or TANDEMBOX which is spacious enough to hold provisions for the whole family along with endless design options. It provides ample storage space and easy access to contents, making it ideal for kitchens, bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms, too. The unit makes everyday kitchen use easier by providing easy access and enhanced user convenience. Even smaller models of the SPACE TOWER can accommodate large amounts of food.