Three years ago, Malvika Mulchandani launched Apero, a unique grazing table and catering business, from her home. Today, she’s on the cusp of opening her second kitchen and has already built a significant presence in the Mumbai’s evolving food scene.
“I started Apero about three years ago from home, and it has grown to a point where we now have one kitchen and are setting up a second one,” Malvika shares. “It’s exciting to see the business evolve and adapt.”
Malvika offers bespoke products from variety of cheeses to bakery items, trail mixes through social commerce. “We have Florentines, cookies, and trail mixes. We’re also adding products like homemade crackers, cheddar biscuits, granolas, and even some tea cakes. The business is set up for scaling. We’re gearing up for the festive season, and this is one of our major plans for the year.” She reveals.
Passion turned into a business
Interestingly, Malvika’s background wasn’t in the food industry. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she was set on a career in the fashion world. However, during the pandemic, a single cheese jar she made out of passion turned into five boxes, and the rest is history.
“This has been my first step into the food industry,” she explains. “I’ve had work experience since I was 15, but this venture combined my love for food and my desire to work.”
Currently, Apero has a team of around 25 people. With one more kitchen space adding into the bakery model, Malvika plans to hire 10 more people.
She tells us, “Last year, I moved out of my home because it was no longer functional for the growing business. It was the first season in that kitchen, and it was incredibly successful. Now, in the second season, I am operating from two spaces. While I can’t quantify the exact percentage growth, I’ve definitely seen significant progress from when I started to now.”
Continue Exploring: From hobby to sensation: How Tangelo Ice Cream’s 4X growth is shaking up the market!
Expanding Market for Experiential Dining
With growing demand for Apero’s offering, Malvika sees immense potential in the market. According to her, consumers are ready for everything, as long as they get touch of personalisation and attention.
“People are moving towards spending on experiences rather than just clothes and accessories. They want personalized, experiential dining, and that’s where we come in. The market is huge, and the possibilities are endless.”
However, a new segment comes with hurdles as well. Managing a bespoke service like Apero presents its challenges, particularly in scalability. “It’s true that I can’t be at every grazing table setup. However, I do mock-ups with my team, label everything, and ensure they replicate the setup perfectly. This way, we maintain quality while scaling,” she explains.
Despite the competitive nature of the catering industry, Malvika remains optimistic. “In a city like Mumbai, the market is endless. Each business has its own space to grow. Clients may seek variety, but there’s always scope for everyone.”
Continue Exploring: Aweri Foods: This three-year old pickle maker is expanding fast; now aims to take over supermarkets
What’s Next for Apero?
So far, for Apero it’s been an organic growth, now Malvika is excited about Apero’s future. “We’re working on a line of non-perishable items like Florentines, cookies, trail mixes, and more. These can be marketed for cross-country gifting, allowing us to expand beyond fresh food.”
In the coming months, Malvika is particularly excited about expanding the bakery and catering services. “We have a new menu, new packages, and we aim to be in every household. This year will be bigger than the last.”
With her innovative approach and dedication to quality, Malvika Mulchandani is set to make Apero a household name in Mumbai and beyond.
