The Restaurant Roundup: Millet Madness, Michelin Stars & More

Joanna Lobo rounds up all the biggest news in F&B this month.

Estimates released by the agriculture ministry put India’s food grain production in 2022-23 at 330.53 million tonnes, with a record output of rice, wheat, maize, soybean, rapeseed, mustard and sugarcane, according to the third advance.

India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Food Programme (WFP) to send 10,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan. An Assocham report titled Indian Cuisine at a Crossroad found that the Indian consumer is concerned about food quality, especially of unbranded and unpackaged food, but is happy with the details provided with food packaging.

There has been a “noticeable increase” in plant-based eating habits in India according to a report released by Renub Research in collaboration with Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA).

The sudden death of Masterchef Australia judge and chef, Scottish Australian Jock Zonfrillo, a day before the premiere of the season 15 of the cooking show, came as sad news to the food community.

Here is the other news from the food and hospitality sector.

Innovations and competition

Competition in the food delivery space is heating up. Coca-Cola India acquired a 15% stake in Thrive, making it their first startup investment in India; Thrive is a Mumbai-based food delivery platform. The Indian government’s food delivery platform, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), launched in November 2022 but has recently crossed 10,000 daily order(s) mark. Meanwhile, Swiggy, while laying off people in the last few months, recently announced that they achieved profitability in March. E-commerce giant Amazon has entered the space too, launching Amazon Food at select places in Bengaluru.

Finnish startup Solar Food has created food from air. Called Solein, the mustard yellow-hued powder resembles turmeric and tastes like a mix of cashews and almonds. It’s 65% to 70% protein, 5% to 8% fat and has a composition similar to that of dried soy or algae. It is produced from air, water, electricity and can be used to make anything from bread to pasta.

Exciting News

Sandeep Pandit showcasing Kashmiri Pandit food at Ssafron, Shangri-La Bengaluru

This Year of Millets, the humble cereal is still making news. At a lunch hosted by the Prime Minister in Papua New Guinea in May, Indian cuisine with millets — millet biryani, ragi khatta curry, khandvi — was served to Pacific nations leaders. Chef Prateek Sadhu cooked the inaugural dinner at Cannes hosted by Union Minister Dr L Murugan. The menu titled ‘The Journey Menu’ honoured the culinary diversity of India with a focus on millets, also featured a Khasi dish called Tungrymbai, pepper fry from Tamil Nadu and millet thoran.

Former MasterChef Australia contestant, Sandeep Pandit is in India for a series of pop-ups at Shangri-La Bengaluru, Having completed an Aussie barbecue at HYPE, he will be showcasing Kashmiri Pandit food at Ssafron from May 26 to June 4.

A limited-edition barrel-aged gold rum by Stilldistilling Spirits

Stilldistilling Spirits — the makers of Maka Zai rum — have launched a limited-edition barrel-aged gold rum called Mesma. Also in Goa, mixologist Karl Fernandes made the trip to Benfiddich Tokyo to introduce Feni to the Japanese industry, and conducted a cocktail workshop there.

Awards & Recognition

In May, Michelin revealed the Michelin Guide Dubai 2023, where chef Himanshu Saini’s Trèsind Studio picked up two Michelin Stars. In addition, the three new one Michelin Star restaurants — the vegetarian Indian Avatāra, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and the Middle Eastern Moonrise.

Himanshu Saini’s Trèsind Studio has been awarded 2 stars in the Michelin Guide Dubai 2023

Taste Atlas’ list of top 100 cities in the world known for their local food has Delhi (16) and Mumbai (34); Florence took the top spot.

Quaffine Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur won a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The 2023 World Food Prize announced recently in Washington went to a California peace activist, Heidi Kühn, the founder of Roots of Peace — she has worked in war-torn regions to remove mines and worked with farmers to plant grape vines, fruit trees and vegetables in its place.

Mexican chef Elena Reygadas was recognised as the world’s best female chef of 2023 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants — she runs five restaurants in Mexico City and is known for highlighting regional produce.

New Restaurant Openings

Popular UK-based food and coffee chain Pret A Manger launched in Mumbai’s BKC. There’s also Wakai Bandra, the global cuisine Pleo; the Japanese Kuuraku; the Gelato Bar; burger places Burgiir Official and The Serial Griller. Terminal 2, CSMIA now has IKAI Maharashtra, a store with a variety of snacks and sweets from Maharashtra like Haapus Chocolate Katali, Naralachi Wadi and Mahabaleshwar Strawberry Pista Barfi.

Bengaluru saw the launch of the contemporary Turkish Öz by Kebapçi; specialty Burmese restaurant Burma Burma; and Oia serving global cuisine. In Pune is the resto-bar Chérie, and One World Café. Delhi has Kampai, a new outpost of the modern Japanese cuisine restaurant, and Mediterranean Burash. Jaipur has the rooftop bar Paro. In Goa, there’s the all-day bar Kaia Goa, the health-food based MO’s Café; Ana Bar; performance venue Clumsy; and the beach-front Elrow Ocean Front.

Masqa, a D2C food brand, launched in 25 metros serving gourmet chocolate indulgences like couverture chocolates, barks and coated nuts and fruits.

Joanna Lobo is an independent journalist from Goa who enjoys writing about food, her Goan heritage, the freelance life, and other things that make her happy. Follow her on @thatdoggonelady.

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