The Restaurant Roundup: A New Chocolate Cafe, Mahua in Bottles, & Dhoop's Issue on Commensality
Joanna Lobo rounds up all the biggest news in F&B this month.
Tomatoes & Inflation
Tomatoes now cost the earth. The rising cost of the vegetable is causing trucks to be kidnapped, turning some farmers into crorepatis, and of course, resulting in a lot of memes.
Higher prices of vegetables, pulses, spices, eggs, meat and fish have seen the food and beverages inflation jump from 3.35 percent in May to 4.7 percent in June. In its July bulletin, RBI says that spillovers from tomato price spikes to prices of other commodities and unhinging inflation expectations remain a ‘major concern’.
Inflation is having an effect on fast food chains too. Domino’s launched the world’s cheapest pizza in the country, at Rs 49 —a seven-inch cheese pizza with parsley and basil. Elsewhere, Pizza Hut is promoting its Rs 79 pizza and last month, McDonald’s introduced half-price meals.
Those who have a crore to spare, and aren’t spending it on tomatoes, can book a meal in outer space. Luxury space travel company Zephalto plans to launch the rocket ship Celeste by the end of 2024 taken guests into the second layer of the Earth’s atmosphere and offering them a Michelin-starred meal.
Here is the other news from the food and hospitality sector.
An App for Restaurant Hygiene
On July 12, the Google Doodle featured a special interactive game about pani puri. It was probably introduced to celebrate an Indore restaurant making it to the Golden Book of World Records for serving 51 unique pani puri flavours, in 2015.
Last month, Kerala’s Food Safety Department launch a mobile application — Eat-Right Kerala — allowing users to check the hygiene ratings of the hotels in the state. A month on, they are now adding restaurants to the system.
North Indian food continues to remain a favourite…with people ordering from food delivery app, Zomato. Data from Zomato Food Trends for orders between July 2022 and May 2023 found that North Indian food contributes to almost 25% of orders. Biryani was found to be the preferred dish of choice. Swiggy entered India’s food and grocery retail market by acquiring Lynk Logistics Limited, authorised distributor of FMCG brands.
A Report Ocean report on India Food Tech Market report found that India’s food-tech market valued at Rs 289.36 billion in 2019, is expected to reach Rs 1,868.19 billion by 2025.
Paul & Mike Open a Chocolate Cafe in Mumbai
Paul & Mike’s New Chocolate Cafe in Mumbai
Chocolatier Paul and Mike opened their first cafe in Mumbai, serving decadent desserts and chocolate bars. The Oberoi Group unveiled its independent restaurant, AMADEO by Oberoi, with cuisines ranging from Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and Indian. Two old places making a comeback at the rooftop Aer Bar & Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai; and the Italian Napoli by Shatranj. Elsewhere, there is cloud kitchen The Indian Project; Naga Belly serving Naga cuisine; and Luna Luna - Buffet & Bar.
In Delhi, try burgers and sundaes from Chard and pizza from cloud kitchen NOMAD. There are craft cocktails at the bar Little Bit Sober in Kolkata and Jaipur has the multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, Dyore Experiences. Goa has the renovated tavern Gypsys’s; the new café and co-working space Devang; the boutique stay KAIA has an all-day bar celebrating ‘root to fruit’, and a restaurant offering Indian cuisine, hearty bowls, pizzas and more.
Fabindia and Dolomite Restaurants Pvt Ltd are teaming up (“Jamie’s in India”) to bring Jamie Oliver's cafes to Fabindia Experience Centres nationwide.
Kaia’s bar celebrating ‘root to fruit’
Goan Food with Feni Cocktails by Gracian de Souza
Goan chef Gracian De Souza went to London for a series of pop ups called ‘Gastronomy of Goa’, where he cooked a five-course meal (paired with feni cocktails). Chef Vanika Choudhary of Noon, Mumbai made her debut in London, at 18 Corner, with a menu reimagining Indian cuisine with British produce. Meanwhile in India, PCO Mumbai did a takeover by bartender Adrian Leow from Native, Singapore. Over in Hong Kong, Goa’s popular bar, Hideaway, did a pop up at Quality Good Club In Hong Kong.
Former Masterchef Australia judge Gary Mehigan was in India again, to give a masterclass and present a dinner in Kolkata. Former contestant on the show, and owner of Bumplings, Brendan Pang, was also in India for a series of dinners and masterclasses.
Gastronomy of Goa by chef Gracian De Souza in London
Chocolate brand Paul And Mike picked up seven awards at the International Chocolate Awards - Asia Pacific 2023, including the first ever Gold for any Indian chocolate bar.
Maverick & Farmer launched Friends of the Farmer brew sessions to offer farmers a platform to exhibit their produce. The first session will be at the Ulsoor cafe on Saturday, August 5 and will host farmer Lynn Mascarenhas from St Margaret Estate.
Mond Bottles Indigenous Spirit Mahua
In a much-needed move to preserve the art of distilling the indigenous spirit mahua, Madhya Pradesh commercially launched a bottled mahua called Mond. Produced by a self-help group of the Bhil-Bhilala tribe in Alirajpur district, it is available for purchase at from all outlets of Ambi Wines in MP.
2 Down Beer Co. newest beer is an English Mild Ale, called Prince of Ales, pouring exclusively at Woodside Inn's Beer & Burger Festival.
In Goa, Rhea Distilleries launched OreGin, a citrus-flavoured gin (with Punjabi kinnow) conceptualised in research labs of Punjab, with the recipe developed by a French sommelier. Radico Khaitan Limited has Happiness in a Bottle, available in three variants: Joy of Juniper, Joy of Pink, and Joy of Citrus; and will be launching Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin in the premium segment. And, Allied Blenders & Distillers Limited (ABD India) launched Limited Edition Officer’s Choice Blended Scotch Whisky to celebrate its 35-year journey.
Single Malt Amateur Club India in collaboration with Godawan Artisanal Single Malt and Estuary Premium Blending Water have curated Whisky Wanderlust, a journey through Scotland highlighting 23 of the best whisky producing distilleries of the region; open to members and the public.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 announced their top 50 list and it includes Delhi’s Sidecar (18). Mumbai’s The Bombay Canteen (35), Bengaluru’s Copitas (38), and Mumbai’s The Living Room (48). The 50-100 list also features some Indian names: Goa’s Hideaway (56), Mumbai’s Americano (57), Delhi’s Home (58), Hoots (60), PCO (94).
Dhoop’s New Issue looks at Commensality
Journalist and author Nandita Godbole’s newest book, Masaleydaar offers simple introductions to regional cuisines through their spice blends, and recipes detailing how to use them.
The second edition of food magazine, Dhoop, explores the theme of 'Commensality: The act of eating together' through stories, art, poems and ideas.
ALSO ON GOYA
