United Telugu Kitchens (UTK), celebrated for its commitment to preserving and showcasing the rich tapestry of Telugu cuisine, has announced the launch of its first restaurant in Bengaluru. This marks a significant milestone for the brand as it expands its footprint beyond Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, bringing authentic and traditional flavors to food enthusiasts in Bengaluru.
Situated in the vibrant high-rise of the recently inaugurated Forum Mall in South Bengaluru, the latest establishment presents a thoughtfully curated menu that revives time-honored recipes from the kitchens of Telugu households across generations. The traditional menu, boasting rich flavors and indigenous ingredients, serves as a true reflection of the authenticity and cultural heritage of the region.
Teja Chekuri, the visionary founder of UTK, while talking about the reason behind the brand’s creation, shared “It was born from the urge to preserve and celebrate the traditional flavors that have been passed down through generations. These are dishes that we’ve grown up on, loved, and cherished. Nostalgia wrapped in each of the delicious dishes. The ingredients and super grains that are being celebrated all over the world already exist in our kitchens for centuries. I wanted to make sure that these recipes are not lost in time. With the opening of our new outlet, we share the warmth of our kitchens and the richness of our culinary heritage with the people of Bangalore. UTK offers a delectable cuisine that is local, authentic, and prepared with love.”
Are you a vegetarian seeking protein-rich food alternatives? You’re lucky to land in the right place. The journey to discover nutrient rich options can be challenging for the most part, especially when you’re trying to meet your daily need for proteins. They are the foundation of a nutritious diet, and are essential for many body processes.
You might or might not have heard about this one, but the answer to all your questions is Vegetable Sprouts. Rich in proteins? Yes. Affordable? Yes. Accessible? Yes. And the best part is, that the preparation process is neither time consuming nor tedious. All you need is one raw ingredient and some water.
The Importance of a Protein- rich Diet
A balanced diet is one that all rounded with all essential nutrients. But as we grow older, proteins begin to take the centre stage of all our health decisions. They are important macronutrients that play a role in tissue development and repair, immune support, and overall maintenance of our well-being. Here are a few more benefits of adding protein to your diet:
For anyone trying to lose weight or build muscle, protein comes in as the first step in accelerating your process.
You need around half of your daily protein intake to make enzymes, which help with digestion, as well as new cells and other molecules.
Protein is crucial for hormonal balance and regulation, particularly during the cell growth and change that occurs during puberty.
It slows the ageing process by strengthening the muscles.
Consuming higher amounts of protein helps people retain their bone density as they age and significantly reduces their risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Higher protein intake has also been linked to lowering of the blood pressure.
Why Vegetable Sprouts?
Yes, they are different from lentil or “Moong” sprouts.
The most commonly found sprouts are those of lentils i.e. Moong, red lentils, chickpeas or green lentils. However, sprouts of beans and lentils are difficult to digest and are only suitable for athletes, children or those who are involved in long hours of manual labour. Vegetable seeds sprout a white tail three to five days after they are soaked and allowed to germinate. They are the most concentrated type of nourishment found organically.
Here are 6 reasons why vegetable sprouts are the best solution:
Nutrition Factor: Hippocrates Health Institute says that“These are one of the most nutritious whole foods on the planet, and are also 10 to 30 times more nutritious than the full grown vegetable”.
Cost Effective: All you need is some vegetable seeds, which once sprouted multiply 3-15 times their weight.
Organic: No chemicals, herbicide or pesticides. You can trust that they’re pure because you’re both the manufacturer and consumer.
Easy: Just add water. (The full process is explained below)
Freshness: You can pick and eat the same day without losing any nutrients.
Environmental Friendly: There is absolutely no involvement of carbon heavy processes, or resources to prepare them; neither are any aeroplanes or fuel consumed to deliver these to you.
The most easily accessible and nutrient rich vegetable seeds found in India are those of Alfalfa, Radish, Clover and Fenugreek.
How To Prepare Vegetable Sprouts?
What You Need:
A glass container
A cotton cloth
2 tablespoons of Seeds of Alfafa, Radish, Clover or Fenugreek (sprout them separately)
Water
You can easily find these seeds on e-commerce sites like Amazon, or simply visit a plant nursery to get a handful of these seeds.
Step 1: Rinse the seeds and place them in the glass container. Fill the container with water to soak up the seeds completely and an inch above that. Let your seeds soak overnight.
Step 2: The next morning, drain out the water from the container. Put your seeds in the centre of the cotton cloth and tightly tie the cloth so that the seeds are secured in a bundle.
Step 3: Place this bundle in a bowl and cover with a plate. Make sure your cloth is not in direct sunlight.
Step 4: Rinse the seeds with fresh filtered water twice a day, for the next 3-5 days.
Step 5: The sprouting time will vary from seed to seed. Once your sprouts are grown out and long enough to eat, allow them to dry completely before storing.
You can store them in a container for 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
How to Incorporate These In your Diet ?
Sprouts can be used with salads (cucumber, tomato, carrot, bell peppers, beetroot, zucchini, broccoli, peas, green beans), fruits or can be consumed separately along with any meal. To take it as part of a healthy meal, prepare a plate, with 30% sprouts, 30% vegetables, 30% leafy greens and 10% toppings or dressings such as nuts, seeds or any dip of your choice.
One of our favorites is sprouts snadwich, along with some leafy greens and home made mayonnaise. You can customise your own, to your taste and preferences.
Incorporating vegetable sprouts in one’s diet may be both healthful and enjoyable, thanks to their simplicity of sprouting at home and their wide range of culinary uses. Now that all the information is available to you, you should be able to enjoy its nutritional benefits and embrace the possibilities of plant- based protein substitutes.
Hrithik Roshan is the epitome of fitness and dedication in Bollywood. Widely recognized as the Greek God of the industry, he stands tall at 6 feet, serving as a beacon of inspiration for many. From captivating audiences in iconic roles such as in Dhoom 2, Bang Bang, to his recent ventures like Vikram Vedha and War, Hrithik has not only showcased consistent acting prowess but has also remained an unwavering force in the realm of fitness.
While it’s no secret that Hrithik invests considerable time and effort into his workout routine, his true magic lies in the carefully crafted synergy between his fitness regimen and dietary discipline, which is a testament to the power of mindful eating and a balanced diet.
Here’s a glimpse of his daily diet plan:
Meal 1: Breakfast
His first meal of the day includes 6 egg whites, 1 egg yolk along with some broccoli and beans or avocado (You may add a pinch of salt and black pepper to suit your taste buds).
Meal 2: Lunch
70g of protein (chicken or fish) along with a side of salad and veggies. For that, you can use 310g of boneless skinless chicken breast, cook it with a tablespoon of oil, and marinate using salt, pepper, lemon and ginger garlic paste as a taste enhancer.
In a recent video interview, Hrithik Roshan also mentioned that he prefers to have a meal every 3 hours of the day, wherein he likes to focus on the proteins. The next 3 meals of his day follow the same constituency as Lunch, which is 70g of protein with a side of vegetables.
The actor has seamlessly integrated nutrition into his lifestyle, making it a pivotal component of his overall fitness philosophy. But what sets him apart is not just the meticulously crafted diet but also the set of guiding principles, his personal playbook, that makes adhering to this regimen part of the flow. Hrithik’s rules are not rigid restrictions; instead, they form a dynamic framework that empowers him to navigate the challenges of maintaining a top-tier physique while embracing a sustainable and balanced life.
Become best friends with the Greens
He encourages forming a friendship with greens, emphasising the importance of enjoying food and having favourites. Unlike categorising vegetables as enemies, Hrithik’s approach advocates for a harmonious relationship with every element on his plate.
2. The Art of Striking the Perfect Balance
Even with a fondness for indulging in Indian snacks like Samosas, Kachoris, as well as chocolates, Hrithik understands the importance of balance and moderation. Discipline, he believes, isn’t a constant battle but rather a gradual integration into one’s lifestyle. It’s about making conscious choices that eventually become second nature, eliminating the need for constant effort, and making the process easier in the long run.
3. Affirmations and Motivations
Grounded in his spiritual beliefs and unshakeable confidence in his abilities, he stays positive and motivated. For him, the journey towards fitness is not just physical but also a mental and spiritual one, fueled by a genuine belief in oneself.
4. Don’t cheat on your proteins
Hrithik leaves no room for cheat days, specially when following a strict and a time sensitive goal plan. In a world where occasional indulgences may tempt even the most disciplined individuals, he remains resolute in blocking out distractions and adhering to his protein-rich diet.
Hrithik Roshan’s playbook is not just a fitness guide, but a compass to help us navigate our way through both body and daily life.In his principles of balance, positivity, and commitment, he not only inspires physical transformation but also advocates for a holistic and disciplined approach to life’s journey.
Purplle, the beauty-focused ecommerce marketplace, witnessed a substantial increase in its operating revenue, approaching the INR 500 Cr mark for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023. The company’s operating revenue or sales amounted to INR 474.9 Cr in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), marking a noteworthy growth of 116% from the INR 219.8 Cr recorded in FY22.
The sales of its products contributed 51% to the startup’s operating revenue, amounting to INR 247 Crore. This figure was significantly lower at just INR 35.6 Crore in the fiscal year 2022 (FY22).
As an e-commerce marketplace, the startup generates revenue by advertising products from other brands on its platform. In FY23, Purplle garnered INR 227.9 Crore from this source, constituting nearly 48% of its total operating revenue. This figure was INR 184.2 Crore in FY22.
Taking into account other sources of income, the overall income witnessed a remarkable 124% increase, reaching INR 508.6 Crore in the reviewed year compared to INR 227.4 Crore in the preceding fiscal year.
Despite the increase in revenue, Purplle experienced a 13% growth in net loss, reaching INR 230 Crore from INR 203.6 Crore in FY22.
The startup’s overall expenses surged by 71%, reaching INR 738.3 Crore, up from INR 431.2 Crore in FY22.
Advertising expenses constituted 36% of Purplle’s total expenditure in the reviewed year, amounting to INR 266.5 Crore. This reflected a 51% increase from the INR 176.9 Crore spent on advertising in FY22.
In FY23, the startup allocated INR 170.5 Crore towards employee costs, marking a 100% surge from the INR 85.1 Crore spent in the preceding fiscal year. Employee benefit expenses encompass various components such as salaries, PF contributions, gratuity, and ESOP expenses.
Procurement expenses soared over 500%, reaching INR 82.8 Crore in FY23 from INR 12.5 Crore in the previous fiscal year.
The EBITDA margin showed improvement, narrowing to -41.56% in the reviewed year compared to -84.9% in the preceding fiscal year. On a unit economics basis, the startup incurred INR 1.5 to generate every rupee from its operations.
To date, Purplle has secured a cumulative funding of $290 million and boasts notable backers such as Premji Invest, Peak XV Partners, and Kedaara Capital. The company joined the unicorn club in 2022, following a $33 million funding round led by Paramak Ventures.
The startup acquired the cosmetics and skincare brand Faces Canada in December 2021.
Earlier this year, Purplle reportedly raised $50-60 million from Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in a round that included a mix of primary and secondary investment.
Fashion and lifestyle startup, Absolute Brands and Retail, has successfully raised $2.5 million in its seed funding round. Capstone Ventures led the investment, with participation from a group of angel investors.
Founded this year by Vishnu Prasad, former MD and CEO of fashion and lifestyle retail chains Central and Brand Factory, Absolute Brands is actively establishing a network of in-house fashion apparel brands. The focus is on targeting both existing and new customer segments in the evolving market landscape.
Absolute Brands announced that the funding will be allocated towards establishing an offline retail presence for its inaugural brand, Big Hello. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be dedicated to technological innovation aimed at building an omnichannel presence.
The startup intends to open retail outlets in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad within the next three months for Big Hello, a brand specializing in clothing for Indian plus-size customers.
In reference to the funding, Prasad remarked that the startup will actively pursue its vision of introducing multiple “distinctively targeted apparel brands.” These brands aim to meet the unaddressed needs of Indian customers, explore new market segments, and redefine the existing norms within the fashion industry.
Absolute Brands has articulated an ambitious objective to extend its brick-and-mortar footprint to 500 retail stores throughout India within the next three years. Concurrently, the startup is strategizing the launch of three new fashion brands.
Harnessing state-of-the-art technologies and establishing a comprehensive omnichannel shopping presence, the goal is to revolutionize the fashion shopping experience. This involves providing personalized solutions that align with individual preferences, values, and needs.
As disposable incomes rise and digitization expands, a multitude of fashion startups have emerged in the country in recent years. These startups aim to address unmet customer needs and seize a market share in the rapidly growing segment.
Earlier today, the men’s fashion brand Snitch successfully raised INR 110 Crores ($13.19 million) in a funding round co-led by SWC Global and IvyCap Ventures. The funding will be deployed to scale up talent and technology, along with the implementation of an offline retail strategy, as announced by the brand.
As per the analysis, the size of the fashion and apparel market was $20 billion in 2022, with a projected growth to $112 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24%.
Established in 2021, SipMargs utilizes tequila sourced from the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, and provides a range of five flavors: classic margarita, coconut margarita, mango margarita, mezcal margarita, and spicy margarita. SipMargs stands out as a low-sugar, low-calorie, and low-carb option, boasting an alcohol content of 5% ABV.
As per the company’s statement, the raised capital will be employed to facilitate “ongoing expansion and innovation.” The company intends to utilize the funds to broaden its footprint in Michigan, Ohio, and Connecticut initially, with plans to extend into additional states, including Virginia and California, in 2024.
Justin Nabozna, CEO of SipMargs, said, “We’re extremely grateful for the support of our investors and are excited about the opportunities ahead. SipMargs has come a long way since our launch in 2021, and we look forward to growing our brand in the ready-to-drink cocktail market.”
Sodexo has successfully extended catering contracts with various organizations, including government and police authorities in both the UK and Ireland.
These contracts collectively hold a value of £34 million ($42.7 million).
Sodexo’s team will maintain its provision of catering services to employees of the London Underground, the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police, and London’s bus drivers under the Transport for London contract until 2025.
Catering services will be available year-round from 7 am to 11 pm courtesy of the team.
After a one-year extension to Sodexo’s FM services contract, covering 48 sites, including ten of HMRC’s 14 regional centers, more than 550 employees will continue to support the HMRC contract.
Avon and Somerset Police have granted Sodexo a two-year extension to their contract.
Since 2012, Sodexo’s team has been providing over 70 essential services to over 3,000 police officers and personnel across 54 police stations and sites in South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath, and Somerset.
Additionally, it has been providing a variety of services, including catering and hospitality services, as well as cleaning and specialized cleaning services.
The company has been granted contract extensions by its clients in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Sodexo UK and Ireland government CEO Paul Anstey stated, “Our teams are focused on delivering excellence every day, working in partnership with client teams to provide workplaces that are well-run, efficient and encourage productivity in an environment that continues to evolve.
“At Sodexo we understand what it takes to create workplace experiences that both inspire and enable our clients to focus on their core roles.
“As a trusted partner to government, we look forward to continuing to provide services that support the delivery of public services and government priorities.”
In December 2023, Independents by Sodexo, the school catering division of Sodexo, secured an extra five-year catering contract in the UK with Reed’s School in Cobham, Surrey.
For over five decades, Sodexo has been providing catering and hospitality services at the school.
Newlat, the Italian food manufacturer, has disclosed that it is engaged in “highly advanced” discussions regarding the acquisition of Princes, the British food and drinks supplier.
In a brief statement, Newlat, which already owns UK food manufacturer Symington’s, confirmed its involvement in the race to buy Princes from the Japan-based conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp.
“Newlat Food S.p.A. confirms its participation in the competitive process for the sale of the historic English food group Princes Limited,” the statement read. “The company also confirms that the negotiation is currently in a very advanced stage.”
The statement from the bakery, dairy, and pasta supplier was issued following a Sky News report, which stated that Newlat, along with the UK-based private-equity firm Epiris, were the two remaining bidders for Princes.
In September, the news channel identified Newlat and Epiris as potential buyers for Princes, alongside financial investors Lone Star Funds, Aurelius, and One Rock Capital. On Friday, Sky News reported that the group had narrowed down to two contenders, stating that it was uncertain when a deal might be finalized and whether Newlat or Epiris were willing to meet the speculated asking price of £400 million ($502.6 million).
In January, the financial-markets news publication Debtwire reported that Mitsubishi had enlisted M&A advisers from Houlihan Lokey to oversee a sale process.
A representative from Mitsubishi stated that “no decision” had been reached regarding Princes. When questioned about whether Mitsubishi had engaged bankers to manage a potential sale, the spokesperson chose not to comment. Regarding Mitsubishi’s overall strategy, the spokesperson mentioned, “We are consistently exploring opportunities to enhance the company’s growth.”
In 1989, Mitsubishi obtained ownership of Princes, which was based in Liverpool. During that period, Princes concentrated on importing and distributing shelf-stable food. Presently, the company has expanded its product range to include edible oils and beverages.
In the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2022, Princes recorded a revenue of £1.44 billion ($1.76 billion), marking an 8% decrease compared to the preceding 12 months. The company attributed this decline to the fact that it was surpassing a remarkable surge in revenue reported in the prior year, fueled by increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The operating profit recorded was £37.4 million, a decrease from the previous year’s £47.5 million. The profit for the year, attributable to the company’s owners, saw a 50% decline, dropping from £34.8 million to £17.2 million. Princes cited factors such as reduced sales volumes, increased tax expenses, and a positive impact on the prior year’s profits due to an asset sale.
Princes operates two food factories and three beverage production sites within the UK. Additionally, the company has a tomato-processing facility in Italy and a tuna-processing site in Mauritius. Over the year ending in March 2022, the company maintained an average workforce of 6,977 full-time employees.
Princes possesses shares in Edible Oils, a British company specializing in bottled edible oils. Through a joint venture with the agri-food group ADM, Princes holds co-ownership of the business. Edible Oils operates three production facilities.
In June, Newlat announced its contemplation of acquiring another business in the United Kingdom.
The company revealed its prospective interest in another deal through a stock exchange filing that outlined new investments in its business.
In the filing, Newlat said the deal was part of its efforts to support its “external growth strategy”, which includes M&A.
The company added, “Newlat Food is currently engaged in evaluating various potential acquisitions, including that of a leading UK company with a turnover of over £1bn.”
In a statement, Newlat expressed that “Chairman Angelo Mastrolia and the entire management team are dedicated to embracing a significant strategic opportunity that can generate value for all stakeholders of the group.”
In a bid to bolster food security and stabilize the prices of durum wheat products domestically, Russia has implemented a ban on the export of hard wheat until May 31, 2024.
The regulation took effect on December 1, as confirmed by the government’s website.
The ban was mandated by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, as reported by the Russian news agency Interfax.
Exceptions to the ban encompass shipments designated for global humanitarian aid or governed by international inter-governmental agreements. Additionally, exports to South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the South Caucasus region, along with grain transported as supplies, are also allowed.
Countries belonging to the Eurasian Economic Union, such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, are eligible to receive durum wheat exports with the condition of obtaining permits from the Agriculture Ministry.
As per Interfax, the Russian Agriculture Ministry reported that global hard wheat harvests had reached “20-year lows in most producing countries,” leading to an increase in demand for the products.
The ministry further stated that the imposition of the ban aims to ensure a stable supply of durum wheat for the country’s pasta manufacturers.
The ministry mentioned that Russia also plans to expand its hard wheat cultivation areas and increase production annually.
The ministry initially proposed a ban on hard wheat exports last month, a proposal that received backing from Russia’s customs sub-committee.
The initial draft proposal aimed to implement the ban for a complete six-month period, starting from December 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
As reported by Interfax, the Russian Grain Union discovered that exports of hard wheat surged by 13 times from July 1 to November 10, 2023, reaching 657,000 tonnes. The majority of this wheat was shipped to countries like Italy and Turkey.
The increase in exports is thought to result from Russia’s grain damper policy implemented in 2021, which imposes a floating export duty on wheat, corn, and barley. This policy has led to a decrease in the proportion of the duty in the prices of hard wheat, according to reports.
Earlier this year, Russia decided against renewing its Black Sea Grain Deal, which had facilitated the secure transportation of various grains, including wheat, from three Ukrainian ports. The termination of the deal was attributed to the assertion that impediments related to its own food and fertilizer shipments had not been addressed before the expiration date on July 17.
Amazon is currently conducting a trial for an additional grocery subscription service exclusively available to Prime members in three select cities.
At a monthly cost of $9.99, Prime members availing themselves of this service will enjoy unrestricted grocery delivery for orders exceeding $35 from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market. Additionally, they will benefit from limitless 30-minute pickup for orders of any size, as communicated by an Amazon spokesperson via email.
The monthly charge of $9.99 is separate from the Prime membership, which is priced at $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
The initiative is currently undergoing testing in Columbus, Ohio; Sacramento, California, and Denver. Amazon has not provided information on whether or when it intends to extend the program to additional markets.
Presently, Prime members enjoy complimentary delivery for Amazon Fresh orders exceeding $100 and free pickups for all standard orders at both Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods (where available).
On other orders, Prime members face distinct fees. Specifically, for Amazon Fresh, there is a $6.95 delivery fee for orders ranging from $50 to $100 and a $9.95 delivery fee for orders under $50. Whole Foods applies a flat $9.95 delivery fee to all orders. Moreover, both Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market introduce a $4.95 fee for rush pick-up orders, ensuring a swift delivery within 30 minutes from order to pickup.
“We’re always experimenting with features to make shopping easier, faster and more affordable, and we look forward to hearing how members who take advantage of this offer respond,” Tony Hoggett, senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores at Amazon, said in a statement.
The pilot initiative is just one of several modifications Amazon has implemented in its grocery delivery services this year. In the previous month, Amazon extended its grocery delivery and complimentary pickup services to all customers, irrespective of Prime membership, in areas where Amazon Fresh stores and online services are accessible. This program, initially introduced as a pilot project in 12 cities earlier this year, is now accessible nationwide.
During August, Amazon made Whole Foods 365 private-label products available for nationwide delivery, and in January, Amazon Fresh increased its minimum spend requirement for free shipping.
Amazon has announced its commitment to supporting Feeding America during the holiday season. Between November 9 and December 25, Amazon Fresh will match customer donations, with a cap set at $250,000. According to Amazon, every $1 donated will contribute to providing 10 meals for those facing food insecurity.
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