The irrepressible Alina Alam, founder not just of an extraordinary food & beverage chain but also a movement

INDIA. Alina Alam, Founder & CEO of Mitti Café in India, will be a keynote speaker at The Moodie Davitt Report’s Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference and Awards to be held in Bengaluru on 7-8 July 2026, hosted by Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru.

Mitti Café is part of Mitti Social Services Foundation, a wonderful social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by providing them with opportunities for economic independence and dignity.

Mitti Social Services Foundation creates employment by hiring and training team members in its cafés across airports and other public institutions. The first Mitti Café was opened at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR), a breakthrough that has led to other airport openings, including two more at BLR.

At the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards in Ontario, California, Alina Alam and Bangalore International Airport Limited were awarded the FAB Humanitarian Award for their joint initiative. Alina Alam was also named one of The Moodie Davitt Report’s People of the Year for 2024.

FAB Founder, The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie, said, “We are so honoured to have Alina grace FAB 2026 as a keynote speaker. Alina started Mitti Café at just 23 with a powerful dream: to show the world the magic of abilities, not the supposed limitations of so-called disability.

“I first heard her speak during a Bangalore International Airport Limited workshop in June 2024 and like everyone in the room was deeply moved by Alina’s guts, courage, compassion and unwavering determination to make a difference. Her dream has come true but she is far from finished yet as the FAB audience will discover.

“Alina is a role model for compassion and inclusion in our industry and I am sure that delegates to FAB 2026 will be both moved and insipired by her presence and passion.”