Association of Food Scientists and Technologists India (AFSTI) Chennai chapter has been actively conducting Seminars, Workshops and other events ever since its re-inception. One such major event was the workshop on Food Business Initiative organised in association with M O P Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai and with the support of FSSAI on September 24, 2018.

The workshop successfully covered the finer aspects of starting up a food business through experts from regulatory bodies, funding associates and entrepreneurs from the food industry.  It is worth mentioning that more than 180 delegates had registered for the workshop, including student delegates, faculties, representatives from the food industry, Food Business Operators and start-up. Dr Lalitha Balakrishnan, Principal, MOP Vaishnav College for Women gave the welcome address. The Chief Guest for the event was Dr Kalaivani Ganesan, Scientist E, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and Joint Director, Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. She gave a presentation on the trends and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the food industry, depicting the various government schemes and grants for the budding entrepreneurs and the existing developments, which was an eye-opener for the young minds.

The speakers were P Muthumaran, Director FSSAI, Southern & Western Region, Dr M Kannan, Central Licensing Authority, FSSAI, SRO, Ali Fidvi, Senior Associate, Peepul Capital Investment Advisors Pvt Limited, Chennai and Marieen Vijay, CEO and promoter of Catalyst Foods, Chennai. The alumni entrepreneurial talk encompassed experiences of two alumni of M O P Vaishnav College for Women. Mathangi Kumar, Head Chef and Managing Partner, That Madras Place and Summer House Eatery, Chennai.