Following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, multiple nations and organizations have pledged to provide assistance in the form of rescue personnel, emergency supplies, and other necessary resources. The earthquake, which struck in early 2023, caused significant damage to the affected areas, leaving many people in dire need of help.
One of the individuals who has stepped up to help in the wake of the disaster is Nusr-et Gokce, also known as ‘Salt Bae.’ Gokce is a renowned celebrity chef from the Turkish province of Pasali, and he has taken it upon himself to support his fellow countrymen during this difficult time.
Gokce has promised to provide food for at least 5,000 earthquake victims each day by dispatching a mobile kitchen to the affected area. The mobile kitchen will serve hot, nutritious meals to those affected by the earthquake, helping to alleviate some of the difficulties they are facing. In one of his Instagram videos, viewers can see the mobile kitchen, with Gokce’s name prominently displayed on the side, packing up and leaving a warehouse where it was being stored.
For Gokce, this food aid effort is his “most important and meaningful service in the world.” As a prominent figure in the world of cuisine, he recognizes the power that food has to bring people together and to provide comfort during difficult times. By providing hot meals to earthquake victims, Gokce hopes to bring a small measure of relief to those who have been affected by this tragedy.
He wrote ‘We started serving hot food to more people, targeting 5,000 people daily.”
In summary, Gokce’s food aid effort is just one of many initiatives that have been launched in response to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Together, these efforts represent a collective desire to help those in need and to provide support during a time of great difficulty.
Andhra Pradesh is a state located in the southern part of India that has made significant progress in the agriculture and food processing industry. The state boasts of a diverse range of natural resources, including vast stretches of arable land, mineral resources, and abundant water resources, which have made it an attractive destination for investors looking to tap into the opportunities provided by the state.
In recent years, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken numerous measures to improve the agriculture and food processing industry in the state. The establishment of 10,788 YSR Rythu Bharosa Kendras as “One Stop Shops” for a variety of agricultural and related services is one such step. These centers provide services such as crop insurance, input supply, soil health management, and many more, all in one place, making it easier for farmers to access the services they need.
Andhra Pradesh has also made significant progress in food processing, with the state being ranked first in registered food processing units during the annual Survey of Industries 2019-20 due to its ease of doing business. The government has also set up an online e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to provide a platform for farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers, thereby cutting out intermediaries and ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce. In FY 2019-20, the state was ranked first in the total value of trade conducted on the e-NAM, thanks to government facilitation and technology deployment.
The agriculture and food processing industry in Andhra Pradesh has shown impressive growth, with a double-digit growth rate. In the year 2021-22, the GVA of the Agriculture & Allied Sector is estimated to be Rs 2 lakh crore, growing at a rate of 11.27%. The state is the second-largest producer of paddy, maize, and groundnut in the country, and ranks fourth in milk and meat production.
Gudivada Amarnath, minister for Industries, Infrastructure, Investment & Commerce, IT, Handlooms & Textiles, said, “According to LEADS Report 2022, the state’s exports increased by 15.31% from the previous year in 2021–2022, classifying it as “Achievers” in the Coastal States. With the completion of new ports and also further development of infrastructure for the last-mile connectivity, the state’s share in exports can reach up to 10% of India’s total exports.”
Buggana Rajendranath, minister for Finance, Planning, Commercial Taxes, Skill Development, Training & Legislative Affairs, said, “We strongly believe reducing the time to start a business will have a significant impact on the manufacturer’s profitability. The state is building numerous plug-and-play facilities which will have ready-built factory sheds with quality power and water supply and help speed up setting up of manufacturing units.”
Andhra Pradesh also has a robust aquaculture industry, accounting for 24% of the nation’s fish production, making it the largest producer of fish in the country. The state has been taking several measures to promote this industry further, such as the establishment of fishing harbors, fish landing centers, and fish feed plants, and providing support for the development of hatcheries and nurseries.
Andhra Pradesh, over the years has shown tremendous potential for growth in the agriculture and food processing industry, and the state government’s efforts to promote these sectors have been yielding positive results. With the upcoming Global Investors Summit in Visakhapatnam, the state is poised to attract even more investments and create more opportunities for growth in these critical sectors.
BOTS&POTS, a Sci-Food bistro in Zagreb, Croatia is not your typical restaurant. This innovative eatery has brought together technology and food to create a unique dining experience. At BOTS&POTS, customers can enjoy a range of ready-to-eat one pot meals, which are prepared by robotic cookers.
The robotic chef, GammaChef, is at the heart of this unique operation. The device is programmed with digital recipes created by the restaurant’s head chef, which specify the ingredients, cooking time, and seasoning for each dish. Once the robot has been “taught” how to prepare a meal, it can replicate it endlessly, with no need for human intervention beyond the initial loading of fresh ingredients.
The restaurant’s owners are proud to claim that BOTS&POTS is the only eatery in the world where ready-to-eat one pot meals are prepared by robotic cookers with no human involvement beyond the initial loading of fresh ingredients. The restaurant has five GammaChef devices, each capable of producing up to four meals in just 15 minutes. This means that the restaurant can produce nearly 100 meals in an hour, making it an incredibly efficient and productive operation.
Bujas said “We’re considering expanding our business model via franchise.”
He also said, “One such restaurant with five robots can be run by a single person,” and added “Our final goal is to create a ‘no waiter, no chef, no cash’ space where you order, get and pay for food without human contact.”
The idea for BOTS&POTS was several years in the making. The restaurant’s partners invested over 1 million euros ($1.07 million) in the project, and it took seven years to bring the concept to life.
BOTS&POTS is now a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The restaurant’s owners believe that this innovative use of technology has the potential to revolutionize the food industry, and they are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that it is reviving its food truck policy after a year of dormancy. The policy will be implemented as a pilot project in two locations in Byculla, a bustling area in Mumbai, within the next two weeks. The focus of the policy is on providing balanced and nutritious meals through food trucks.
To ensure that the food trucks are stationed in optimal locations, the policy mandates that they be situated near parks or gardens, tourist locations, schools, colleges, universities, places of historical importance, and business parks that have a large influx of people. The locations have been selected to ensure that the food trucks have a steady flow of customers.
Ajaykumar Yadav, Assistant Commissioner, E ward said, “Seven zones in Mumbai will be marked for the purpose eventually, with a vehicle stationed in each zone. They will be purchased by BMC and given to beneficiaries who are financially needy – yellow or orange ration cardholders. We will invite applications soon. Although the stress is on healthy food, ovens will be provided for reheating.”
An official from BMCs health department said, “This is a draft policy and is yet to get a clearance from municipal commissioner. The licence and health departments are involved. All kinds of food can be prepared inside the truck but mandatory permissions from relevant departments should be sought.”
The policy is designed along the lines of the popular “Food on Wheels” model in the West, which emphasizes the provision of freshly cooked meals. The food trucks are expected to adhere to these standards and serve meals that are healthy and nutritious.
To operate, the food trucks must obtain permits from the BMC’s health, shops and establishments, and fire departments. They are allowed to use LPG, microwaves, and electric cooking units to prepare the food. This will enable the food trucks to provide freshly cooked, hygienic meals to customers.
Overall, the BMC’s food truck policy is a step towards providing Mumbai residents with more dining options, while also promoting healthy and balanced meals. By ensuring that the food trucks are located in high-traffic areas and adhering to strict standards, the BMC hopes to create a successful and sustainable food truck ecosystem in the city.
The Union government of India is planning a large foodgrain-procurement operation in 2023-24, which is expected to be one of the biggest in the country’s history. The aim of this operation is to boost food security, which is a critical issue for India, given that many of its citizens still struggle to access enough food on a regular basis.
Foodgrain procurement refers to the process of the government purchasing foodgrains from farmers at benchmark floor rates known as minimum support prices (MSP). The government has set these MSPs to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their crops, and to protect them from exploitation by middlemen.
Arun Aggrawal of Comtrade, said, “This signals a policy of focusing on the country’s food security, which in recent years had shifted to exports because of back-to-back bumper harvests,”
There are several reasons why the Union government is expanding its procurement operation. One of the main reasons is the geopolitical uncertainties that have arisen in recent years, which have made it more difficult to rely on global food markets. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global supply chains, leading to shortages of some food items. Finally, state-owned cereal stocks have been depleted due to factors such as extreme weather and patchy monsoons.
To address these challenges, the government has directed the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to work with states to increase procurement centers. These centers are aggregation points where farmers can sell their crops to the government. Some states also make their own procurement to distribute grains on behalf of the Centre, handing over any surplus to the FCI. The FCI will need to rely on “internal and extra budgetary resources (IBER)” to cope with the expansion of procurement. This may include borrowing or cash advances, as budget documents have already indicated.
The budget for 2023-24 has allocated ₹1.97 lakh crore for the food subsidy bill, which is the amount of money the government will spend on food subsidies. However, the government estimates that this may be insufficient, and has indicated that it will make up any shortfall. The final expenditure on food subsidies is expected to be higher than the allocated amount.
To improve the procurement process, the government has also instructed the FCI to enhance its centers and warehouses in states where they have traditionally been weak, such as Uttar Pradesh. Some states, such as Punjab and Haryana, already have a widespread procurement network in place.
Overall, the Union government’s large-scale foodgrain procurement operation is aimed at strengthening India’s food security, which is a key priority for the country. By ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their crops, the government hopes to support the agricultural sector and improve food availability for all citizens.
Daryaganj, the legacy brand from the streets of Delhi is renowned for its dedication to using only the freshest and highest-quality ingredients in its menu, which features both classic dishes and innovative new creations that offer a sensory feast.
Daryaganj has pitched for 90 lakhs of Investment in exchange for 0.5% Equity, taking their valuation to INR 180 Crores. The Sharks further negotiated the deal at Shark Tank after which Daryaganj agreed to a deal with Aman for “1% for 90 lakhs,” Which was much lower than the valuation asked earlier. But the team Daryaganj agreed to the deal as Aman Brings in a lot of value and would be a great mentor for the team.
Also, Aman already knew about the brand and had visited a few times. He expresses that he is a big fan of our products. A family office named VVLS is also an early-stage angel investor.
The brand embraces an innovation and technology-first approach, employing it in every aspect of the customer experience and overall operations. Daryaganj has introduced several groundbreaking packaging concepts, such as the Five Senses Delivery, Saunf Mishri Box, and Kulfi Drip Tray.
Amit Bagga, CEO and Co-founder of Daryaganj, said, “I believe to win a lottery, you need to at least buy a ticket, which means to achieve something really big, you need to at least try and not expect it to happen on its own. With a decision to apply to Shark Tank, Daryaganj restaurants surpassed five rounds to make it to the studio, pitching to the sharks directly. Daryaganj is the first Casual dining restaurant brand ever to be featured on Shark Tank India.”
Raghav Jaggi, Founder, and Promoter at Daryaganj, said,” My Grandfather Kundan Lal Jaggi created what the north Indian tandoori cuisine to the world is. He was the inventor of Butter Chicken & Dal Makhani, and following his principles, we are taking his legacy forward”.
Catering to all three generations, Daryaganj has served over 600,000 customers and boasts an annual recurring revenue of 45 crores, with plans to reach 100 crores by the end of the year. Their outlet-level EBITDA is at 20%, with each outlet profitable individually, and corporate EBITDA at 11%. Their revenue recovery compared to pre-covid is an impressive 310%, and they have an average daily table turn of 2.7 times their seating capacity. Additionally, they have an excellent average rating of 4.2+ on Zomato, Swiggy, and Google for all their restaurants.
Daryaganj has won ten prestigious awards this year, including the Best North Indian Restaurant Chain, Best Packaging, Best Butter Chicken, and Restaurateur of the Year for Co-founder Amit Bagga.
The Daryaganj brand currently has five casual dining restaurants (CDR) and two Cloud Kitchens (CK), with plans to open seven more CDR outlets and eight more CK in Delhi NCR, Punjab, and North India by September 2023, doubling their current revenue. Their long-term plans include expanding into South and West India, with a goal of opening 70 outlets within three years and 200+ stores within seven years.
The brand is also planning for international expansion in Thailand, Singapore, UAE, Canada, and Australia, with all stores being company-owned. The brand has already raised funds for this year’s expansion, but they remain open to exploring strategic investors for future growth.
Daryaganj has outlets in prominent locations such as Worldmark 1, Aerocity; Regal Building, Connaught Place; Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden; Ambience Mall, Gurgaon; and DLF Mall of India, Noida, UP. They also have current Cloud Kitchens at Rajouri Garden and Noida, with plans to open at least eight more in the future.
To support their expansion, Daryaganj is exploring various models, including self-funded leased company-owned company-operated (COCO) stores, property owner/property developer-funded stores with a higher rental or revenue share in return for their investment in the restaurant Capex, leasing out ready F&B spaces at 5-star hotels at prime locations, and an infra leasing model with a minimum guarantee on the investment and additional upside from revenue share for the investor.
Ayushmann Khurrana, a well-known Indian actor, singer and television host, has a passion for food and loves to explore various cuisines. He has shared his love for food and cooking on multiple occasions, including interviews, social media posts and television appearances. Ayushmann has a curious palate and enjoys experimenting with new dishes and diverse culinary styles. He is known for his adventurous nature when it comes to trying out new dishes, which has earned him a reputation as a foodie.
In fact, Ayushmann frequently documents his foodie diaries on social media, where he updates his fans with his latest culinary adventures. His Instagram feed and Twitter timeline are filled with pictures and videos of food, ranging from street food to gourmet cuisine. He is always on the lookout for new and exciting dishes to try, and his enthusiasm for food is infectious.
Recently, Ayushmann took to Twitter to share his latest gastronomic indulgence – a box full of the famous Odia dessert, Chhena Poda. In the photo, he shared the delicious dessert, which is made of cottage cheese, sugar, cardamom and baked to perfection. The dessert is widely popular in Odisha, and Ayushmann’s post gave his fans a glimpse of this delicious delicacy.
Apart from his love for exploring new cuisines, Ayushmann also enjoys cooking and often shares his culinary experiments with his fans. In a recent interview, he mentioned that he finds cooking therapeutic and relaxing, and he often cooks for his family and friends. Ayushmann’s passion for food has also led him to explore different parts of India, where he tries out local delicacies and learns about the history and culture behind them.
He wrote, “The dark side of chhena poda successfully dilutes the dark side of mine,”
In one of his earlier posts, Ayushmann shared a close-up image of two large porcelain bowls, neatly placed on saucer plates. One bowl was filled with rajma curry and the other with plain white rice, a classic Indian comfort food. Ayushmann offered to share his meal with his fans, asking them in the caption, “Rajma chawal?” This post was just another example of Ayushmann’s love for food and his willingness to share his experiences with his fans.
Overall, Ayushmann Khurrana’s passion for food is a part of his personality that shines through in his work and his social media presence. His curiosity, enthusiasm, and openness to trying new things make him a true foodie and a role model for food lovers everywhere.
Cookr, a home food tech marketplace, has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding from a group of investors led by angels who work at prominent technology companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Intel, as well as other companies like Titan Company, M2P Fintech’s co-founders, WilcoSource LLC, RXDataScience Inc, Quadrand Resource LLC, and the Social Company.
The funding will help Cookr to expand its platform, enhance its features, and make home-cooked meals more accessible to customers across India.
The Chennai-based startup, founded by Praba Santhanakrishnana, Saravanakumar Kandasamy, and Nirmalkumar Muthu, connects customers with over 500 home cooks on the platform who offer a range of nutritious and hygienic home-cooked food options. The platform caters to customers’ dietary needs and preferences and offers an alternative to restaurant-delivered food without compromising taste or quality.
Cookr claims that all its partner cooks are FSSAI-certified and currently operational in nine cities in Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Hosur, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Salem, Vellore, and Kumbakonam.
Cookr aims to onboard 200,000 home cooks over the next five years, and with the funding, it plans to expand its marketplace to other parts of India. The startup aims to leverage the growing demand for healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals and tap into the potential of the home food market in India. The home food market is an emerging space in India, and Cookr faces competition from other players like Dotshot, NatureBox, and Evo Foods.
While the concept of home-cooked food is not new, Cookr is focusing on providing a high-quality, reliable, and scalable platform that offers nutritious home-cooked meals to customers. The startup has positioned itself as an alternative to restaurant-delivered food and aims to create a sustainable business model that benefits both home cooks and customers. The home-cooked food market in India has seen several players in the past, but most of them have failed to scale. However, Cookr is optimistic about the potential of the market and plans to leverage technology and innovation to create a successful and sustainable platform.
Radico Khaitan Limited is a leading Indian spirits company that produces a wide range of premium and popular alcohol brands. The company’s product portfolio includes whisky, rum, brandy, vodka, and other spirits, which are sold in India and around the world. Radico Khaitan Limited is known for its high-quality products, which have earned the company a strong reputation in the Indian alcohol industry.
In the first nine months of the 2022-23 financial year, Radico Khaitan Limited has reported strong growth in both sales volume and value for their premium IMFL brands. Despite only marginal growth in the overall volume of cases sold, the company has experienced double-digit growth in the volume and net sales of their prestige and above brand sales in Q3. This impressive performance is a testament to the company’s continued focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and premiumisation.
Dr. Lalit Khaitan, CMD, Radico Khaitan, said“ As we continue to make strides on our premiumisation journey, the availability of additional grain based ENA will strengthen our value proposition. We remain committed to our long term strategy of focusing on premiumization, along with managing our business with agility and driving backward integration efficiencies. While the raw material scenario still remains volatile, we have seen early signs of deflation in certain commodities. Furthermore, we have recently received price increases in the non-IMFL business in the state of UP which will hold us in good stead in the next fiscal year.”
Radico Khaitan Limited’s prestige and above brands include some of the most popular and well-known spirits brands in India, such as Magic Moments Vodka and Morpheus Brandy. These brands have been the focus of the company’s premiumisation strategy, which involves investing in high-quality ingredients, unique packaging, and targeted marketing campaigns to attract and retain customers who value premium and high-end products. As a result of this strategy, the volume of prestige and above brands sold has increased by 14 percent compared to the same period last year, and the net sales value of these brands has grown by 19.1 percent.
Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director of Radico Khaitan Limited, has attributed the company’s strong performance to its consumer-centric approach and its focus on premiumisation.
He believes that by investing in high-quality products and marketing campaigns that speak directly to consumers, the company has been able to establish a strong brand image and grow its market share in India’s competitive alcohol industry. Furthermore, he has noted that the company’s greenfield project in Sitapur will further strengthen its position in the industry by providing additional production capacity to support the company’s future growth plans.
Burger Singh, a prominent fast-food chain in India, is set to enter the Odisha market by opening eight new outlets and hiring 100 employees to staff them. The company, which has rapidly grown its presence in the Indian market in recent years, announced its plans to establish a warehouse in Kolkata to boost its supply chain in the Eastern and North-Eastern regions of India, including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, in December 2022.
The expansion into Odisha is part of the company’s strategy to cater to the growing urban and young consumer base. The new outlets will be located in various cities across the state, including Bhubaneswar, Bhramapur, Cuttack, Rourkela, and Sambalpur, among others.
Kabir Jeet Singh, the founder and CEO of Burger Singh, expressed his excitement at introducing the company’s range of Indian-style burgers to a new audience.
Rahul seth, Co- founder of Burger Singh, said “It is a source of great pride for our brand to see its presence expand into uncharted territories, driven by the enthusiastic interest from entrepreneurs across the nation eager to open Burger Singh franchises. These entrepreneurs are drawn to the same qualities that have made Burger Singh so beloved by Indian customers and are eager to become a part of the brand’s compelling narrative through its franchise network. To make this happen, our business development teams take a strategic approach to identifying locations with high potential, pairing each entrepreneur with the ideal site to ensure a thriving business venture.”
Burger Singh was founded in 2012 and has quickly become one of the largest and most successful fast-food chains in India. The company’s innovative blend of Indian flavors and Western-style burgers has been a hit with consumers, and the franchise model has helped to fuel its rapid expansion. Currently, Burger Singh has over 100 outlets in 54 cities, with 83 operational outlets and 24 in fit-outs.
The company has ambitious plans for further expansion, with 35 new outlets planned in Maharashtra, 8 in Madhya Pradesh, 16 in Bihar, and 43 in the northeast. Its rapid growth has been attributed to highly profitable unit-level economics and a unique, inherently Indian taste that sets it apart in a highly competitive market.
In addition to its trendy menu infused with Indian flavors, Burger Singh’s success can also be attributed to its asset-light franchise model. The company’s franchisees, who are responsible for the majority of the outlets, invest in the brand and use the company’s business model and recipes to create successful businesses. Burger Singh has become the third-largest burger chain in India and the largest Indian-style burger chain in the country at an impressive speed.
Burger Singh recently raised INR 30 crore in Series A funding, led by Negen Capital, which valued the company at INR 200 crore. This funding will enable the company to continue its ambitious expansion plans and strengthen its position in the highly competitive Indian fast-food market.
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