Celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani is charting a new chapter in his culinary journey with two distinct ventures — Omny Kitchen, a fine-dining restaurant in Gurugram, and Speak Burgers, a fast-growing quick-service brand born during the pandemic.
After years of focusing on television and consulting, Ratnani is now returning to hands-on entrepreneurship, blending creativity with commercial strategy. “People would tell me, ‘We love your shows, but where can we eat your food?’ So I jumped back in,” he shared at The Economic Times FoodXP Summit 2025.
Speak Burgers began as a delivery concept during the lockdown and has quickly built a loyal following. The brand is now preparing for its first physical outlets early next year, signaling its transition from cloud kitchen to scalable QSR model. Omny Kitchen, Ratnani’s first full-scale restaurant in over a decade, mirrors his signature philosophy — global technique meeting Indian sensibility. Its menu, he says, is storytelling through food. His recent Karva Chauth menu was themed around emotion, with courses inspired by love, devotion, dedication, and affection.
For Ratnani, culinary innovation must align with market insight. “An investor who understands food knows how to assess what works for a region. It’s about balance — creativity supported by smart business decisions,” he said.
As India’s food services sector is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2028, Ratnani believes the time is ripe for innovation. “Competition keeps you sharp. It’s a great time to learn from other entrepreneurs,” he added.
Beyond his restaurants, Ratnani continues to shape India’s culinary culture. His landmark show Vicky Goes Veg and award-winning cookbook championed plant-forward cuisine long before it became a trend. He’s now working on a new vegetarian cookbook, reaffirming his belief that “India’s next big flavor movement will come from its roots.”
