Kolkata 8th February 2025: The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Kolkata Chapter proudly wrapped up its flagship cricket tournament, NPL 3.0 – NRAI Premier League, presented by Doctor’s Choice and powered by Shyam Steel. Over the past two weeks, the Orchid Arena in Topsia buzzed with excitement as the vibrant Food & Beverage (F&B) community came together for an unforgettable blend of sportsmanship, entertainment, and camaraderie.
This year’s edition of NPL witnessed a special highlight, as former Indian cricketer Ashok Dinda presided as Chief Guest for the hugely popular event, inspiring attendees with his presence and words of encouragement. His participation added to the thrill of the tournament, as he interacted with players and spectators, sharing his cricketing insights and experiences.
In wanting to build camaraderie and team spirit, a Staff Tournament was organised where restaurant owners played shoulder to shoulder with members of their own staff in the same team. The event experienced an overwhelming response, with over 400 attendees, including restaurateurs, food and beverage professionals, and cricket enthusiasts. With exciting matches, engaging activities, and a lively atmosphere, NPL 3.0 successfully brought the F&B community together, fostering stronger connections and celebrating the industry’s vibrant spirit.
Winners and Highlights:
Owners League Champions: Team OG Steelbacks emerged victorious after a thrilling finale, showcasing their unwavering determination and competitive spirit.
Staff League Champions: Team Wow! Momo took home the trophy, proving the incredible talent and passion among F&B teams.
Special awards were also given to outstanding performers, including:
Player of the Tournament (Owners League): Moosa Ahmed Khan, OG Steelbacks.
Player of the Tournament (Staff League): Bappa Moira, Wow! Momo.
Best Bowler: Himanshu Rohra, Scrapyard Super Kings.
Best Batsman: Shreyas Jhunjhunwala, LMNO_Q Vikings.
Owners League Highest Run Scorer of the tournament was Vedant Mimani of Ozorians and Staff League Highest Run Scorer was Arun Bhaduri of LMNO_Q Vikings.
NPL 3.0 went beyond cricket to provide a memorable experience for all attendees, including live entertainment and engaging activities that kept the audience captivated throughout. Culinary delights from popular brands such as Wow Momo!, Wow! Chicken, Prime Residency, Chai Break, OG by The Lake, Olterra, The Roll Factory, Gupta Brothers, Wah Puchka Wah Litti, and KREAMZ enhanced the event. Restaurateurs and industry professionals made the most of networking opportunities, strengthening bonds within the F&B fraternity.
Speaking on NPL 3.0 – NRAI Premier League, Mr. Sagar Daryani, NRAI President, said: “NPL 3.0 demonstrated the vibrant energy and camaraderie that define the food and beverage industry. It’s incredible to see restaurateurs and professionals come together not only to compete in cricket but also to celebrate our common interests and strengthen our community bonds. This event serves as a reminder that the spirit of collaboration and togetherness is central to what drives our industry forward.”
Adding his thoughts, Mr. Abhimanyu Maheshwari, NRAI Kolkata Chapter Head, said: “NPL 3.0 has been more than just a tournament; it has brought the F&B community together while highlighting everyone’s passion and resilience. These types of events not only strengthen industry relationships but also provide a platform for meaningful collaboration and development. We are proud to have hosted such a successful event and look forward to even more participation in the future.”
NPL 3.0’s success was made possible by the invaluable contributions of our esteemed partners, which included Doctor’s Choice as Presenting Sponsor, Shyam Steel as Powered By Partner, Opus as Associate Partner, 91.9 Friends FM as Radio Partner, BIRA as Official Partner, Projecsia as advertising partner and Bhajanlal as Technology Partners.
This event was more than just a cricket tournament; it displayed the unity, energy, and passion that define the F&B community while also celebrating the industry’s resilience and camaraderie. The NRAI Kolkata Chapter expresses heartfelt gratitude to all participants, attendees, and supporters who contributed to its success.
With such a positive response to NPL 3.0, the countdown to an even more exciting NPL 4.0 has already begun!
About NRAI: National Restaurant Association of India is the voice of the Indian Restaurant Industry. Founded in 1982, by L.C. Nirula of Nirula’s, Madan Lamba of Volga, O.P. Bahl of Khyber Restaurant, R.D. Gora of Gazebo, A.S. Kamat of Kamat Restaurants & other leading restaurateurs, it represents the interests of 500000+ Restaurants, an industry valued at INR 5.69 lakh crores. Being the leading association of the Indian Restaurant Industry, NRAI aspires to promote and strengthen the Indian Food Service Sector. The Association in its 42nd year has a pan India presence and is governed by a committee of members and led by a President and Office Bearers. The committee consists of over 30 Restaurant CEOs / Owners representing various national and international brands from the F&B sector. The association works closely with a network of State and City Chapters across the country.
