Some events are planned. Others feel like they’re meant to happen. 9 chefs. 9 artists. 9 unique pop-up restaurants under one roof for one weekend only. The Gathering, first edition, was held at Travancore Palace in New Delhi. Each table was a living story woven from conversation, exploration, and innovation.
Venue – Travancore Palace, New Delhi
Over three days, Travancore Palace turned into a living canvas for 9 chefs, 9 artists, and hundreds of guests who didn’t just attend a food festival, they stepped into an experience built for slowness, curiosity, and connection.
For us at Lifeworks Studios, covering The Gathering was an opportunity to approach event photography and film-making in Delhi in a way that felt just as thoughtful as the festival itself. From the moment we walked in, it was clear this was about much more than a dining experience. It was about slowing down, being present, and capturing the quiet magic happening around every table through photography and cinematography.
We shot TBs of data documenting the way the light fell on a spoonful of memory, how guests lingered over a conversation, or how chefs plated dishes with the precision of an artist and the heart of a storyteller. Food photography became a celebration in itself, revealing the textures and colors that made each creation unforgettable.
Instead of rows of stalls, The Gathering featured nine pop-up restaurants, each created by a chef and an artist working side by side. Every table had its own stories through the menu, the design, the atmosphere.
When it’s the first edition of any event, event photography and event films in Delhi become as important as other elements. We are just capturing what happened, we’re building the story from day T-3. A solid set of photos and films helps keep the buzz going long after the event is over. It gives people something to remember, share, and get excited about for the next edition. This content becomes the face of the event all year round on social media, websites, press kits, and more. It’s what turns a one-time event into a growing community.
Here’s a glimpse of the collaborations that made this festival so special:
9 Chefs × 9 Artists × 9 Tables
- A Table in the Mountains – Prateek Sadhu × Aradhana Seth
- The Modern Day Toddy Shop – Regi Mathew × Vinu Daniel
- Terra Firma – Auroni Mookerjee × Sonal Sawant
- Forbidden. Stolen. Feral. – Anumitra Ghosh Dastidar × Archana Hande
- Past Continuous – Vanika Choudhary × Punit Jasuja
- Around the Campfire – Amninder Sandhu × Ekarth Studio
- The Last Harvest – Viraf Patel × Alex Davis
- The Darbar of Perception – Adwait Anantwar × Devika Narain
- Contrasts & Dualities – Gresham Fernandes × Elsewhere in India
The three zones – Conservation, Exploration, and Innovation, became a journey in themselves.
Every table was imagined and built from the ground up, combining food, art, and ideas into something people hadn’t seen before. It was about celebrating creative freedom and making room for conversations that don’t usually fit into conventional dining.
We documented this festival in all its color and emotion. The rushing moments in the kitchen to the laughter around the tables, we captured it all through.
- Photography that felt raw and honest. Guests interaction, chefs plating with focus, artists briefing the guests.
- Series of films that told the story of each table, blending close-ups of dishes with wide shots of Travancore Palace.
- Reels content and short videos that brought the festival alive on social media.
The Gathering sparked conversations about food, art, and the stories we carry. Chefs and artists heard from so many guests who were moved by what they created. And for everyone who was there, it felt like time slowed down for a little while.
If you’re planning an event that deserves to be captured with care and creativity, we’d love to help. From festivals and concerts to intimate gatherings, we bring stories to life in a way that feels honest and alive. Have a brief? Connect with us today.
