Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Home Blog Page 1184

Sharabi Kukkad expands its reach with the launch of its fifth outlet in Delhi, offering a fusion of North Indian and Chinese cuisine

0
Sharabi Kukkad
The newly opened outlet of Sharabi Kukkad in Connaught Place is now open for lunch and dinner every day of the week. (Representative Image)

Sharabi Kukkad, a renowned restaurant that offers a delightful fusion of North Indian and Chinese cuisine, has expanded its presence by launching its fifth outlet in Delhi’s Connaught Place. The newly opened restaurant has the capacity to seat up to 100 customers at a time.

With more than 25 years of experience in the culinary world, Chef Deep Chand Dobriyal is the creative force behind the restaurant. He has a strong passion for combining different cultural influences in his cooking.

Chef Deep Chand Dobriyal’s innovative menu seamlessly blends the robust and rich flavors of North Indian cuisine with the subtle and refined spices of Chinese dishes.

At Sharabi Kukkad, customers can savor a diverse menu featuring both classic North Indian delicacies like Butter Chicken and Rara Gosht, and popular Chinese favorites such as Kung Pao Chicken and Drunken Chicken.

Adding an exciting twist to their culinary offerings, the Chefs at Sharabi Kukkad have created alcohol-infused dishes such as Sharabi Dal and Sharabi Kukkad. These unique delicacies feature a blend of dry lentils and tender chicken infused with rum, showcasing the restaurant’s innovative approach to cooking.

Sharabi Kukkad is a versatile dining destination, perfect for various occasions, be it dine-in, takeout, or delivery.

Vineet Aggarwal, Co-Founder of Sharabi Kukkad, said, “We are thrilled to open our fifth outlet in the heart of Delhi’s Connaught Place,” said. “Our aim has always been to bring good food and a warm dining experience within reach of everyone, and we are excited to introduce our unique culinary offerings to even more people. At Sharabi Kukkad, we put people first, and we look forward to welcoming you to our new location.”

The newly opened outlet of Sharabi Kukkad in Connaught Place is now open for lunch and dinner every day of the week.

For added convenience, Sharabi Kukkad offers delivery and takeout services. The restaurant also provides catering options for special occasions and private events, making it a versatile option for any gathering.

Advertisement

United Breweries Q4 net profit drops by 94% to INR 9.87 crore; revenue sees 11.35% growth

0
ubl
UBL's net profit for the financial year ending in March 2023 declined by 15.97% to reach INR 308.10 crore, as compared to INR 366.68 crore in FY22.

United Breweries Ltd, a beer maker controlled by Dutch multinational brewing company Heineken NV, disclosed on Thursday a decline of 93.97% in its consolidated net profit for the March quarter, amounting to INR 9.87 crore. As per a regulatory filing by United Breweries Ltd (UBL), the company had reported a net profit of INR 163.78 crore in the January-March quarter of the previous year.

During the quarter under review, UBL’s revenue from operations increased by 11.35% to INR 4,081.01 crore. In the corresponding period of FY22, it had stood at INR 3,664.71 crore.

“Gross margin during the quarter was lower as compared to PY (previous year) due to continued inflationary pressures on our cost base, particularly on prices of barley and packaging materials,” said UBL in its earnings statement.

UBL’s premium segment outperformed its total portfolio, growing by 19% in the quarter and registering a robust YTD growth of 58%. This growth was fueled by popular brands like Heineken, Kingfisher Ultra, and Kingfisher Ultra Max.

“Price increases have been taken across multiple states with continued commitment in driving further revenue management initiatives,” it added.

In Q4FY23, UBL’s total expenses increased by 17.93% to reach INR 4,079.32 crore, up from INR 3,458.98 crore in the corresponding period a year ago.

UBL’s total income for the March quarter increased by 11.28% to reach INR 4,092.80 crore.

UBL’s net profit for the financial year ending in March 2023 declined by 15.97% to reach INR 308.10 crore, as compared to INR 366.68 crore in FY22.

Despite the decline in net profit, UBL’s consolidated revenue from operations for FY23 increased by 26.87% to reach INR 16,651.09 crore, up from INR 13,123.92 crore in the previous year.

The company reported that it achieved “all-time high full-year volumes,” indicating sustained growth in the category.

UBL’s Capex spend was INR 156 crore and it said, “with volume growth expected to continue, Capex investments are needed to meet future growth”.

According to the company, it anticipates continued inflationary pressure on its cost base in the near future.

“The company will seek appropriate action to further mitigate the impact. UBL continues to remain optimistic on the long-term growth potential of the industry, driven by increasing disposable income, favourable demographics and premiumisation,” it said.

As per the filing, UBL’s board recommended a dividend of 750% or INR 7.50 per equity share of INR 1 each to the company’s shareholders for the financial year that ended on March 31, 2023.

On Thursday, United Breweries Ltd’s shares settled at INR 1,430 apiece on the BSE, reflecting a decrease of 0.28%.

Advertisement

Zomato leverages New Relic’s observability platform to ensure high performance and reliability

0

Zomato, a food delivery platform with around 17.4 million monthly transacting customers and 330,000 active restaurant partners spread across roughly 1,000 Indian cities, has adopted the observability platform New Relic to guarantee optimal performance and dependability. The two companies announced this partnership through a joint press release.

Shrey Sinha, head of site reliability engineering, Zomato, said, “The key value drivers for Zomato are uptime, performance and reliability; innovation and growth; and operational efficiency—all of which New Relic excels at delivering.”

New Relic enables Zomato’s engineering teams to take a proactive approach in promptly resolving issues that may arise in their infrastructure, applications, and services. By doing so, they can guarantee optimal performance and user experience.

“We are confident that New Relic’s data-driven approach will enable us to connect people with processes and technology performance across the entire organisation and improve business outcomes in the long term. We are excited to embark on the next phase of growth with New Relic,” added Sinha.

According to the release, the extended partnership with New Relic will further Zomato’s observability strategy, allowing them to maintain a high level of visibility as they continue to scale and manage a larger technology stack.

“Food tech platforms are rapidly growing segments globally. As a result, aggregators are increasingly working to maintain the stability of their platforms to scale their customer base exponentially. This is where New Relic can offer Zomato a competitive advantage through improved uptime and reliability,” said Vidhur Bhagat, General Manager enterprise business at New Relic.

Zomato is a restaurant aggregator and food delivery company that is headquartered in Gurugram, India. It was founded in 2008 by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah and has since become a multinational company.

Advertisement

D2C milk delivery firm Uzhavarbumi receives INR 7 crore funding boost from Anicut Capital

0
Uzhavarbumi
The funding secured from Anicut Capital will allow the start-up to strengthen its technological capabilities, upgrade its plant and machinery equipment, and bolster its marketing strategies.

Uzhavarbumi, a start-up based in Chennai that offers direct-to-consumer (D2C) milk delivery services, has secured INR 7 crore in funding from Anicut Capital.

The funding secured from Anicut Capital will allow the start-up to strengthen its technological capabilities, upgrade its plant and machinery equipment, and bolster its marketing strategies. Uzhavarbumi also intends to improve its product packaging and expand its workforce with the funds received.

With the financial backing, Uzhavarbumi intends to expand its operations to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Vetrivel Palani established Uzhavarbumi in 2017 with a mission to connect rural and marginalized farmers with consumers in urban areas by sourcing farm-fresh milk from them at a fair market price. The start-up has been successful in bridging the gap between primary producers (farmers) and consumers in Chennai.

The business model of Uzhavarbumi ensures that farmers are able to generate a stable and consistent income.

Speaking on the funding, Vetrivel Palani said, “We are thrilled to have Anicut Capital as our investor and partner in the mission to create a more sustainable and equitable agri-food system. With Anicut’s support, we aim to expand our operations and bring farm-fresh milk to more customers across India.”

IAS Balamurugan, Managing Partner of Anicut Capital, said, “We are proud to associate with Uzhavarbumi in their mission to promote direct commerce between farmers and consumers. Their innovative approach towards supply chain management and focus on eco-friendly packaging aligns with our vision of promoting sustainable development. They have immense potential in transforming the agricultural sector of India and we are excited to support their growth plans and expansion into new markets.”

Anicut Capital is a financial institution that offers a range of debt and equity products. The company manages multiple investment funds, including two debt funds (GAF-1 and GAF-2), Anicut Angel Fund, and Grand Anicut Fund 3.

Advertisement

Swiggy doubles down on premium food delivery with Gourmet’s expansion to 31 cities

0
swiggy
Swiggy is planning to launch the service in 16 additional cities, including Dehradun, Pondicherry, Ludhiana, Udaipur, and others. (Representative Image)

Swiggy, the food aggregator platform, announced on Thursday that it has extended its Swiggy Gourmet service, which offers premium food delivery, to 31 cities throughout India.

After being introduced in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai in February 2022, the service has now expanded to many other cities, such as Pune, Kolkata, Goa, Chandigarh, Surat, Vadodara, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, and Kochi.

In addition, Swiggy is planning to launch the service in 16 additional cities, including Dehradun, Pondicherry, Ludhiana, Udaipur, and others. The expansion of Swiggy Gourmet, according to the company, indicates that the service has gained popularity among customers, particularly in smaller towns and cities throughout India.

Rohit Kapoor, CEO, Food Marketplace, Swiggy, said, “We are excited as we expand our Swiggy Gourmet to provide more premium experiences to consumers at their doorsteps. Our expansion reflects the strong demand for premium dining options and we are committed to partnering with more restaurants to provide unique and tempting offers exclusively available on our platform.”

A few days prior to this development, Swiggy shut down its premium grocery delivery service, Handpicked, only six months after piloting it in Bengaluru.

According to Swiggy, its Swiggy Gourmet platform has been instrumental in the expansion of various restaurants in Bangalore, Mumbai, and the National Capital Region. The platform, which currently features over 2,000 brands and 5,000 restaurants, has helped restaurants such as ITC Master Chef Creations, Smoke House Deli, Brik Oven, Pizza Bakery, Good Flipping Burgers, and Maiz Mexican Kitchen, among others, to grow their businesses.

Swiggy reports that these restaurants have experienced a 48% rise in order volume, on average, since collaborating with Swiggy Gourmet.

On average, Swiggy Gourmet’s restaurant partners have witnessed a 48% surge in their order volume, as per Swiggy’s report.

Swiggy has been implementing job cuts as it prepares for a public listing. In January, the food aggregator let go of 380 employees out of its 6,000-strong workforce, citing difficult macroeconomic circumstances and a deceleration in the expansion of its food delivery operations.

Apart from the job cuts, Swiggy also discontinued its meat marketplace due to a lack of proper “product fit.” Two months later, in March, the company divested its cloud kitchen venture, Swiggy Access, to Kitchens@ in a share-swap agreement. Swiggy Access provided rental kitchen facilities to restaurants.

Advertisement

UK’s food watchdog, FSA, vows to strengthen measures after meat fraud allegations

0
meat
(Representative Image)

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a government body responsible for ensuring the safety and standards of food consumed in the country. In recent times, the FSA has been particularly concerned about preventing fraudulent activity in the food industry, especially in the meat sector. To this end, the agency has been exploring various approaches to tackle this issue and ensure that consumers are protected from harm.

Emily Miles, CEO of the FSA, has released an update regarding the meat fraud scandal, in which she stated several industry representative groups are set to work with the agency “to explore improvements to the current system”.

Following a recent “meeting with the food industry”, the FSA will review the “scope for a single telephone number or website” for whistle-blowers to contact, streamlining the process.

The agency will also try to “strengthen the role” that third-party audits can play in relaying information to regulators.

Finally, Miles stated the FSA will review the “best format and mechanism” for the agency to “share intelligence-based alerts to better warn businesses about problems in supply chains.”

In late March, it was reported that Loscoe Chilled Foods, a supplier of meat products in the UK, shut down after facing a criminal investigation over allegations of mislabeling their products.

Booths, a supermarket chain located in the north of England, reported that pre-packaged sliced meats and deli products they received were falsely labeled as British despite being sourced from South America and Europe. Following this, authorities arrested three individuals in connection to the incident.

Last month, the UK-based trade publication Farmers Weekly disclosed that a meat processor is under investigation for supposedly selling foreign pork as British and also for selling meat that has exceeded its shelf life.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Food Industry Intelligence Network, the British Meat Processors Association, and several other industry groups have expressed their support for enhancing the approach to prevent fraudulent activity in the food industry. These groups are collaborating with the FSA to address the issue and ensure the safety and integrity of the food supply chain.

Andrew Opie, Director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said, “Our members are fully committed to ensuring a high level of safety, quality, and integrity in the food chain. We support the Food Standard Agency’s review to look at improvements to the current system, including exploring a simpler, more refined hotline for whistleblowing, as well as ensuring information is shared as effectively and efficiently as possible to prevent and tackle food crime.”

Helen Sisson, Director and Co-chair of the Food Industry Intelligence Network, said, “We are fully committed to working with the FSA and our partners in the food industry to strengthen the system.

“It is imperative that the public has confidence in UK food and an important part of that is ensuring food crime in supply chains is identified and dealt with quickly,” she added.

Advertisement

Sigma Alimentos acquires controlling stake in US-based Hispanic dairy group Los Altos Food Products

0
sigma
Sigma, which is a division of the Mexican conglomerate Alfa, has a global presence and possesses over 100 food brands in the categories of meat, dairy, and plant-based foods.

Sigma Alimentos has announced its plan to acquire a controlling stake in Los Altos Food Products, a US-based manufacturer of Hispanic cheese and cream.

The financial details of the transaction were not revealed.

Los Altos Food Products specializes in producing genuine Mexican cheese products aimed at North American consumers who enjoy Mexican cuisine. The company runs a single plant near Los Angeles, California, and employs over 260 individuals who will be transferred to the new company as per Sigma’s statement.

The yearly revenue of Los Altos Food Products amounts to around $100 million.

“This transaction is aligned with Sigma’s strategy and will allow us to continue growing the core business by strengthening our position in a rapidly growing market that is gaining space in mainstream consumption,” said Rodrigo Fernandez, Sigma’s CEO. “I’m confident that the sum of Los Altos and Sigma will allow us to better satisfy the needs of our customers and consumers. This transaction also enhances our existing network with production capacity on the West Coast.”

Sigma, which is a division of the Mexican conglomerate Alfa, has a global presence and possesses over 100 food brands in the categories of meat, dairy, and plant-based foods.

With a global footprint that spans across 18 countries in the Americas and Europe, the company boasts of 65 manufacturing facilities and a workforce of 44,000 employees.

“Today, Sigma takes another step to expand its presence in the US and continue increasing capacity in the Hispanic dairy market. We are looking forward to welcoming all Los Altos employees to Sigma and embarking on a new journey, together,” Jesus Lobo, the CEO of Sigma’s US operations, said.

Sigma’s EBITDA fell 12% in to $652m in 2022 “as growth in the Americas was more than offset by a decline in Europe amid unprecedented cost pressure”. The company’s annual revenue increased 9% to $7.4bn.

Advertisement

RPSG Group’s Too Yumm eyes Indian snacks market with launch of Too Yumm Namkeen

0
tooyumm
Too Yumm has been experiencing double-digit growth and intends to further strengthen its position in the western snacks and kids' categories. (Representative Image)

Too Yumm!, a subsidiary of the RPSG group, has primarily focused on the western and healthy snacking sectors. However, the company is now expanding into the Indian snack market with the introduction of Too Yumm Namkeen. With the organized Indian snacks market valued at approximately INR 14,000-15,000 crore, the brand hopes to capture a portion of this lucrative market. Additionally, Too Yumm! is seeking to enhance its product range in the children’s category, an area where it recently made its debut.

According to Shashwat Goenka, the Head of the Retail and FMCG sector at RPSG group, the Indian snacks market has been experiencing a consistent CAGR of 14-15%. As a result, the company aims to achieve sales of around INR 100 crore in this segment over the next year. Additionally, RPSG group is considering venturing into adjacent markets beyond snacking to expand its food offerings within the next 12-18 months.

“We launched in 2017-18 and the idea was to get into healthy snacking market. We are well entrenched in the western snacks market and are now moving into the Indian ethnic snacks category,” Goenka said in a virtual press conference on Thursday.

As of December 31, 2022, Too Yumm achieved annual sales of approximately INR 480 crore. This translates to almost 7% of RPSG Ventures’ total turnover, which comes from its FMCG business.

Double-digit growth:

According to Shashwat Goenka, Too Yumm has been experiencing double-digit growth and intends to further strengthen its position in the western snacks and kids’ categories. The western snacks market is valued at approximately INR 26,000 crore, with unorganized players accounting for almost 45% of the segment.

The Indian snack products will first be offered at 100,000 touchpoints and will later be expanded to additional outlets.

At a consolidated level, the company already owns an Indian snacks business under the brand name of Evita. However, that is primarily targeted at the tier III, IV and beyond markets while Too Yumm is targeted at the tier I and II markets, he said. “For the next 12-18 months we will strongly focus on western and Indian snacks as there is lot of scope to grow; thereafter we will look at some adjacencies,” he said.

The company is also open to acquisitions and is exploring targets. However, any acquisition would be driven by long-term view and will be done only if it made a strategic fit, he said.

Advertisement

FMCG major Dabur posts marginal increase in Q4 consolidated profit to INR 301 Crore, YoY revenue up 6%

0
dabur
(Representative Image)

Dabur, a leading FMCG company, announced that its consolidated profit for the March quarter increased by 2.25% YoY to reach INR 300.83 crore, and its revenue rose by 6.35% YoY to INR 2,677.80 crore.

As part of its announcement, Dabur declared a final dividend of INR 2.70 per share for the financial year 2022-23.

Dabur’s PAT margin for the quarter was 11.2%, while the operating profit margin contracted by 270 basis points to 15.3% due to material inflation. In constant currency terms, the company’s revenue growth was 8.6%. In terms of revenue, Dabur’s standalone India business increased by 4.7%, and its international business recorded growth of 1.4% in rupee terms and 9.6% in constant currency terms.

Dabur achieved volume case growth of 11% at the end of the quarter and 14% for the year.

Dabur India CEO Mohit Malhotra, said, “During the year, we faced high inflation, which was partly mitigated by price increases to the tune of 6%. Consumer promotions were offered to soften the impact of price hikes on consumption, which resulted in flatfish Value-weighted Volumes for both the fourth quarter and the year. This 11% Case Growth has helped increase the penetration and market share of our brands across categories in line with our ‘Ghar Ghar Dabur’ strategy.”

“Our performance in a tough inflationary environment aptly demonstrates the power and consistency of Dabur’s strategic playbook, which helped us capitalize on our brand strength while continuing to innovate and deepen our engagement with our consumers,” he added.

The CEO stated that although there are concerns about inflationary pressures in the near-term, the company intends to maintain its growth momentum by investing in brand building, innovation, and capabilities that will fuel future growth.

Segment revenue:

Dabur’s oral care penetration rose to 50.8%, and the hair oils business achieved a 130 basis points gain in market share, reaching its highest-ever share of 17%.

Dabur’s Food & Beverages business experienced a growth of 30% during the year, with its Juices & Beverages business also growing at around 30%. The Home Care business had a robust performance in the air fresheners category, resulting in a growth of 23.4% at the end of the year.

The Digestives business had a growth of 10.4% during the year, and the Shampoo portfolio grew by 8%. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, the Healthcare business achieved a 3-year CAGR of approximately 10%. Dabur’s market share in the air freshener category saw a surge of 140 basis points, and its shampoo market share increased by 30 basis points.

In the quarter, Dabur’s Turkey business grew by 90%, while its Egypt business increased by 28%, and Nepal business reported a growth of 17%.

Dividend:

Dabur’s board of directors today recommended a final dividend of 270%, taking the total dividend for 2022-23 to 520%. “In line with our payout policy, the board has proposed a dividend of INR 2.70 per share, aggregating to INR 478.38 crore,” Dabur Group Director PD Narang said.

Advertisement

5 effective diet tips for teens struggling with Binge Eating Disorder 

0
Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious eating disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, including teens. BED is characterised by consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time, usually followed by feelings of guilt, shame, and distress. The disorder can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health complications. 

Understanding Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is a mental health disorder that is classified as an eating disorder. It is characterised by recurrent episodes of binge eating, which is defined as consuming an excessive amount of food within a short period of time, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. The disorder is not related to a lack of hunger or a physical craving for food, but rather is driven by emotional or psychological factors.

Binge eating disorder is different from other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, in that it does not involve purging behaviours, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, after binge eating episodes. Individuals with BED often feel guilty, ashamed, and distressed about their eating behaviours, which can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder in Teens

The causes of binge eating disorder in teens are complex and can vary from person to person. Some of the common causes of BED in teens include:

  • Genetic factors: Genetics may play a role in the development of binge eating disorder in teens. Studies have found that individuals with a family history of eating disorders are more likely to develop BED.
  • Psychological factors: Psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, can contribute to the development of binge eating disorder in teens. Teens may turn to food as a way to cope with negative emotions or to feel a sense of comfort.
  • Environmental factors: Environmental factors, such as social pressure to be thin, access to food, and cultural norms surrounding food and body image, can also contribute to the development of binge eating disorder in teens.

Here are some tips for teens struggling with Binge Eating Disorder:

  • Eat Regularly Throughout the Day:

One of the common triggers for binge eating disorder is skipping meals or going for long periods without eating. It can lead to feelings of hunger and low blood sugar levels, which can cause intense cravings for food. To avoid this, it is important to eat regularly throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Eating regular meals helps to keep your blood sugar levels stable, reducing the likelihood of binge eating. Additionally, eating healthy, balanced meals can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function correctly, improving your overall health.

When planning your meals, aim to include a variety of foods from all the food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This can help to ensure that your body is getting all the nutrients it needs to function correctly.

  • Practise Mindful Eating:

Mindful eating is a technique that involves paying attention to your food and eating habits. It helps you to become more aware of your hunger and fullness cues, preventing overeating and bingeing. To practise mindful eating, try the following tips:

  • Eat slowly and savour each bite
  • Pay attention to the flavours, textures, and smells of your food
  • Take small bites and chew your food thoroughly
  • Put your utensils down between bites
  • Focus on your feelings of fullness and stop eating when you are satisfied
  • Practising mindful eating can help you to develop a healthier relationship with food, reducing the likelihood of binge eating.
  • Avoid Skipping Meals:

Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can trigger binge eating episodes later in the day. Eating breakfast can help to stabilise your blood sugar levels and reduce cravings for high-calorie foods. Additionally, eating regular meals throughout the day can help to prevent hunger and reduce the likelihood of binge eating.

  • Avoid Dieting:

Dieting can be a trigger for binge eating disorder, as it can lead to feelings of deprivation and restriction. Avoid fad diets or restrictive eating patterns that eliminate entire food groups or severely limit your calorie intake. Instead, focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes a variety of foods from all the food groups.

  • Seek Professional Help:

Binge eating disorder is a serious mental health condition that requires professional treatment. A registered dietitian or mental health professional can work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy, medication, and diet. They can help you to identify triggers for binge eating and develop strategies to manage them. Additionally, they can provide support and guidance throughout your recovery journey.

Binge eating disorder can have serious physical and emotional consequences if left unaddressed, particularly among teenagers. The tips above can be helpful in managing the condition, but it is important to seek professional help if you or a loved one is struggling. A therapist or counsellor can help you develop coping strategies, while a registered dietitian can provide guidance on nutrition. With the right support and tools, it is possible to overcome binge eating disorder and lead a healthy, fulfilling life.

Advertisement