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From Kashmir to Kanyakumari: Chef Ranveer Brar’s ‘Kashkan’ brings Indian flavours to Dubai

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Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar
Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar

Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, a prominent figure in the culinary world, has introduced his inaugural restaurant in the Middle East. Situated on the first floor of Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai, ‘Kashkan,’ an upscale authentic restaurant, celebrated its grand opening on September 2, 2023. Kashkan, Indian Kitchen By Ranveer Brar, is a culinary paradise that seamlessly marries innovation with tradition, offering a transformative dining adventure for lovers of Indian cuisine.

The name Kashkan carries profound significance, drawing inspiration from both Kashmir and Kanyakumari, two states that mark the farthest points on India’s geographical map, spanning from the extreme north to the southern tip. Elevating your dining experience, Kashkan offers a diverse array of dishes representing every region and state of India. This pioneering concept in the Middle East promises an unparalleled and distinctive dining adventure.

Operating from 11:30 am to midnight, Kashkan provides indoor and outdoor seating options, accommodating a maximum of 160 guests. The menu offers a tantalizing glimpse of Chef Ranveer’s culinary artistry, including his signature Kebab platter from his hometown, an exclusive Bhoot Jolokia (the hottest chili) competition, and a host of other creatively crafted dishes that are sure to inspire your taste buds.

Read More: Chef Ranveer Brar to debut his first UAE restaurant ‘KashKan’ in Dubai

Kashkan offers a luxurious indoor dining experience, featuring private cabanas and group seating options. The bright outdoor section provides enchanting views of the Dubai Festival City Mall’s fountain, a visual delight. The restaurant’s interior is a masterpiece of design, adorned with vibrant and colorful décor that vividly reflects its rich concept and cultural roots.

Inside, you’ll discover five distinctive private dining rooms, each intricately designed to depict the unique essence of a different Indian state, complete with its captivating narrative. The bistro section offers a glimpse into the live kitchen, seamlessly blending chic sophistication with a laid-back atmosphere. Another unique feature is the nick-knack corner, an enticing space where you can explore and purchase a variety of pan-Indian nibbles.

The al fresco area exudes a serene ambiance, accentuated by a captivating fountain display that perfectly harmonizes with the restaurant’s natural charm. Additionally, a captivating photographic exhibition curated by Chef Ranveer Brar graces the dining areas, capturing soulful moments and adding a personal touch to the overall dining experience.

Speaking on the launch celebrity Chef Ranveer Brar, said, “Kashkan is a conversation, about the diversity & versatility of our cuisine. Opening my first restaurant in the UAE, I wanted it to be a connecting thread between the innumerable flavours and stories that I have experienced and collected in my culinary journey. The menu I’ve curated brings together handpicked (or unique) dishes from the Indian cuisine, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari (hence the name ‘Kashkan’), that seamlessly blend nostalgia with innovation to create memories on your plate.”

Kashkan reverently celebrates the essence and heritage of Indian cuisine, creating an atmosphere that beautifully harmonizes with the culturally diverse country. Every aspect of the restaurant is meticulously designed to craft the ultimate dining experience. At Kashkan, an untold culinary journey awaits you.

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ITC to invest INR 1,500 Crore in Madhya Pradesh for food manufacturing and packaging plants

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itc
ITC (Representative Image)

On Sunday, ITC, a diversified conglomerate, announced its plans to allocate approximately INR 1,500 crore for the establishment of an integrated food production and logistics center, as well as a sustainable packaging products manufacturing facility in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. These two expansive projects, spanning across nearly 57 acres, are expected to provide a significant impetus to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors within Madhya Pradesh, as stated by ITC in an official release.

“The two projects, when complete, would entail a total investment outlay of NR 1,500 crores which will support livelihoods across sustainable value chains,” it said.

The food manufacturing facility will produce a range of ITC products, including Aashirvaad atta, Sunfeast biscuits, and ‘YiPPee!’ noodles. Simultaneously, the molded fiber products facility will lead the way in sustainable packaging, playing a pivotal role in replacing plastic in various sectors, such as electronic item packaging, FMCG, and the food and beverage industry.

“ITC’s investment in the food processing sector through the facility at Sehore is poised to add value to the state’s manufacturing sector and support inclusive agri-value chains. ITC believes that the food processing sector, being at the intersection of agriculture, industry and services, can make a multi-dimensional contribution to the state’s economy by enhancing the competitiveness of the food value chain,” it said.

Commenting on new investment projects at Sehore, Chairman Sanjiv Puri said, “ITC has, over the years, expanded its footprint across all three sectors of Madhya Pradesh’s economy – agriculture, manufacturing and services.”

“In line with our commitment to contribute to the socio-economic development of the state, we are now investing in two world-class facilities including the Integrated Food Manufacturing and Logistics Facility and the Sustainable Packaging Products Manufacturing Facility at Sehore.

“This state-of-art facility will also be a landmark in sustainability with the unit being designed to IGBC green building Platinum standards,” he said.

On Sunday, a groundbreaking ceremony took place in the presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

ITC maintains a substantial presence in the state, with not only the forthcoming projects but also seven co-manufacturing units dedicated to Foods and Agarbatti, actively fostering local entrepreneurship.

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Good To Go set to acquire TenderCuts, expanding reach in India’s meat market

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TenderCuts store
TenderCuts store (Representative Image)

Good To Go, an omnichannel meat brand, is currently in the process of finalizing the acquisition of TenderCuts, an online meat seller primarily catering to the South Indian market, with a strong focus on Chennai. This strategic maneuver is designed to synergize Good To Go’s extensive offline experience and operations in Northern India with TenderCuts’ robust omnichannel footprint and well-recognized brand identity in Southern India. The amalgamation is poised to deliver an enhanced range of hygienically packaged fresh meats and seafood, delivering substantial benefits to customers across both Northern and Southern India.

Angad Singh, the Founder & CEO of Good To Go, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We are excited to welcome TenderCuts into the Good To Go family. This will enable us to become the leading brand in South India, offering a remarkable variety of fresh meats to a broader customer base while also supporting the growth of local businesses.”

The acquisition also encompasses Happy Chops, a technological platform that empowers neighborhood butcher shops by providing them with an online presence and procurement assistance. Currently, Good To Go operates 11 stores in the Delhi-NCR region, while TenderCuts maintains a network of 16 stores in Chennai.

Good To Go is acknowledged as an innovative omnichannel meat brand that offers a wide range of fresh raw chicken, mutton, and seafood through a combination of brick-and-mortar stores and online delivery services.

In contrast, TenderCuts is an online meat retail platform renowned for its premium, tender, and flavorful meat products.

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Pa Pa Ya brings innovative Asian dining experience to the heart of Hyderabad

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Pa Pa Ya
Pa Pa Ya's mission is to establish a timeless and genuine environment that harmonizes the Zen philosophy with the city's enthusiastic pursuit of enjoyment.

Pa Pa Ya, the contemporary Asian bistro, has recently debuted in the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Pa Pa Ya’s mission is to establish a timeless and genuine environment that harmonizes the Zen philosophy with the city’s enthusiastic pursuit of enjoyment.

Pa Pa Ya introduces a distinctive dining concept that transcends boundaries and embraces innovation, delivering an extraordinary fusion of time-honored Asian recipes and cutting-edge culinary methods. Combining bold flavors, contemporary aesthetics, and an unparalleled dining adventure, Pa Pa Ya is set to revolutionize the culinary scene of the city. Their approach to traditional Asian recipes yields a multitude of culinary marvels that beautifully showcase the region’s rich gastronomic heritage.

The restaurant’s design is inspired by the aspiration to provide a tranquil haven amid the urban commotion. Conceived as an expression of mindful living, the “Taste and Earth” concept effortlessly forges a sensory link between diners and the natural environment. With earthy tones, muted greens, and comforting neutrals, it crafts an inviting and soothing ambiance. The gentle ambient lighting instills a sense of serenity, transitioning seamlessly to focused illumination that accentuates design elements and culinary presentations.

Speaking about the outlet, Zorawar Kalra, Founder and Managing Director, Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd said, “We are thrilled to introduce Pa Pa Ya to the discerning diners of Hyderabad. Pa Pa Ya is a ground-breaking concept that marries traditional Asian recipes with avant-garde culinary techniques. We have meticulously crafted a menu that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Asia while incorporating cutting-edge cooking methods to create something truly extraordinary.”

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Dog food startup Jinx secures $17.85 Million in Series B funding to accelerate retail expansion and innovation

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Jinx
Jinx's product lineup is currently accessible in over 5,000 retail outlets across the United States

Dog food startup Jinx has recently completed its Series B funding round, amassing an impressive $17.85 million in investment. This substantial financial boost will serve to fuel the company’s ongoing growth and facilitate its expansion across essential retail channels.

Established in 2019 by Terri Rockovich, Sameer Mehta, and Michael Kim, Jinx is dedicated to transforming the way pet owners nurture and bond with their furry friends through superior nutrition. Over the course of its journey, Jinx has transitioned from a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model to a strong emphasis on forging strategic retail partnerships. This shift has catapulted the company to become the fastest-growing entity in the retail sector, with projected revenues expected to surpass $45 million this year, as per Jinx’s reports.

Furthermore, Jinx has garnered investments from a roster of notable celebrities, including Chris Evans, Halsey, Trevor Noah, Lily Singh, Zachary Quinto, Nas, and Michael Strahan.

“We launched Jinx with a mission to better every dog’s bowl because a healthy diet can add up to 2.5 years to a dog’s lifespan,” Ms. Rockovich said. “This round of financing not only allows us to strategically expand our retail footprint and penetrate more households, but also to make significant investments in innovation, marketing, merchandising and people. If there’s one data point we feel most proud of, it’s that Jinx is driving category growth via incremental customers, and if we get the chance to compete in the dog’s bowl — we’re the clear favorite.”

The funding round was spearheaded by The Merchant Club and Align Ventures, and it saw active participation from AF Ventures, Era Ventures, and Range Group.

“After leading the series A, The Merchant Club is pleased to announce a subsequent strategic investment in Jinx as the lead investor of this Series B,” said Laurent Ghouzi, founding partner at The Merchant Club. “We are thrilled to continue to support an outstanding team and brand in the continuously growing pet food sector. This further capital infusion will continue to fuel Jinx’s exceptional growth as a leading brand.”

Jinx’s product lineup is currently accessible in over 5,000 retail outlets across the United States, including prominent names such as Walmart, Target, Petsmart, Albertsons, Safeway, Shoprite, and Giant. With this recent infusion of funding, the company is poised to embark on an ambitious expansion strategy, targeting growth in mass retail, grocery, and e-commerce sales channels. Additionally, Jinx is committed to intensifying its efforts in product innovation.

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Tata Soulfull set to expand its reach with new ‘Oats Plus’ product launch in Tamil Nadu

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Tata Soulfull
Tata Soulfull (Representative Image)

Tata Soulfull, a division of the renowned FMCG conglomerate Tata Consumer Products, is gearing up to unveil a fresh offering named “Oats Plus” in Tamil Nadu later this month. This strategic decision comes on the heels of its triumphant debut in Kerala about three months ago, as confirmed by a high-ranking company executive.

“We have launched oats plus which are plain oats, in Kerala. This gave entry us into the INR 250–300 crore category. In fact, even though it is early days, the responses have been good,” said Prashant Parameswaran, MD and CEO.

As to initiating the launch of the product in these two States, he said, “This is primarily because it is a large market where the consumption of oats is high.”

Furthermore, the key objective is not to encourage consumers to entirely replace their current dietary choices but rather to encourage them to include millets as part of their diets, he emphasized.

The product will undergo a gradual rollout, and the company is actively exploring potential markets for its introduction. Parameswaran highlighted the significance of these two markets, emphasizing their substantial consumption levels within the category. Additionally, it’s worth noting that around 40% of Soulfull’s business originates from the southern states.

Prior to this, the company had notched a successful launch of masala oats approximately a year ago. In the context of India, oat consumption is forecasted to hit 50,000 tonnes in 2023, as reported by Indexmundi. Furthermore, on a global scale, the oats market is expected to reach a substantial $10.8 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9 percent from 2022 to 2032.

Furthermore, the company has set forth ambitious goals to unveil six to eight additional product categories, catering to both children and adults. Presently, the brand already offers products spanning across 5–6 categories, encompassing breakfast cereals, kids’ snacks, muesli, granola, masala oats, plain oats, and wafers.

Commenting on Soulfull’s contribution to Tata Consumer Products’ revenue, the CEO said, “Over the next two to three years, we can expect to see some sizable contribution to the overall performance.”

The brand is actively engaged in increasing its production capacity, including the recent inauguration of a new facility in Indore with an annualized capacity of approximately 2,000 tonnes. Additionally, they manage another production plant in Bidadi, boasting a capacity ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes.

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Nissin Foods USA heats up the instant noodle market with exciting ‘Geki’ brand debut

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Geki Fiery Hot Chicken
Geki Fiery Hot Chicken

Nissin Foods USA is unveiling an exciting addition to its instant noodle lineup, debuting the Geki brand alongside a groundbreaking innovation: chili-infused noodles.

Geki, derived from the Japanese word for ‘extreme,’ has been meticulously crafted to cater to aficionados of fiery flavors seeking an authentic Asian dining experience within the comfort of their own homes.

Nissin’s inaugural consumer product, Geki Fiery Hot Chicken, showcases an innovative manufacturing technique developed in-house. This process involves incorporating genuine chili flakes directly into the circular noodles, resulting in a vibrant red color and an intense spiciness. To complement this fiery flavor, a hot chicken seasoning packet is included to strike the perfect balance of heat and taste.

Priscila Stanton, senior vice president of marketing at Nissin Foods USA, said, “We know that spicy food experiences are embedded in American culture and a recent food industry study found that 65% of consumers are choosing spicy meals when cooking at home”.

“We wanted to find an innovative solution that not only satisfies consumer cravings for heat, but also delivers on our mission to provide meals of value that are both convenient and delicious, while providing a spicy foundation for culinary creativity in American kitchen.”

Geki is available for SRP $1.39 at Sam’s Club online and in its locations across the US, as well as launching on Amazon this month. It will soon roll out at grocery stores.

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Cherubino Wines expands portfolio with acquisition of renowned Margaret River Winemakers

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Margaret River Winemakers
Margaret River Winemakers

Cherubino Wines is thrilled to reveal its recent acquisition of Margaret River Winemakers, a renowned Australian wine and spirits brand. This acquisition encompasses a state-of-the-art 2,000-tonne facility complete with warehousing capabilities, distillation capacity, and a welcoming cellar door experience.

As part of the acquisition, Cherubino is set to rebrand the spirits brand, with a primary focus on leveraging Cherubino’s vineyards and fruit resources to create regional, estate-to-bottle spirits and establish a dedicated produce farm shop. This strategic endeavor will seamlessly complement Cherubino’s existing portfolio, which includes its renowned cellar door and the acclaimed Frui Momento restaurant and Enoteca, all located in the picturesque setting of Wilyabrup, Australia.

Cherubino’s Founders, Larry and Edwina Cherubino, revealed that they have been planning an acquisition for over 20 years.

Founder, Larry Cherubino, said, “We are committed to a long-term approach to winemaking, and this acquisition represents an incredible opportunity for us to establish the brand not only in terms of supply but will greatly support our production and marketing capabilities”.

“Cherubino’s newly appointed distribution partner in the UK, Hatch Mansfield, Oatley Fine Wine Merchants in Australia and our many partners and customers around the world have allowed us to make this important step with confidence and we look forward to sharing more details of the project soon.”

The current wine facility and equipment will be moved to the new facility over the next 12 months. The new cellar door is slated to reopen in December 2023.

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The Psychology of Brand Perception: Shaping the Right Image for Success

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Brand perception

In the world of business and marketing, perception is everything. How consumers perceive a brand can make or break its success. Understanding the psychology of brand perception is crucial for companies looking to shape the right image and achieve lasting success in today’s competitive marketplace.

Brand perception refers to the way consumers perceive and interpret a brand. It encompasses a wide range of elements, including a brand’s reputation, values, personality, and visual identity. Successful brands are those that can consistently shape and manage these perceptions to align with their desired image.

One fundamental aspect of brand perception is the concept of brand equity. Brand equity represents the intangible value a brand possesses beyond its tangible assets. It is built over time through a combination of factors, such as brand recognition, reputation, and customer loyalty. The psychology behind brand equity lies in the emotional connections and associations consumers have with a brand.

Emotions play a significant role in brand perception. People make decisions based on their emotions more often than they realize. When consumers have positive emotions associated with a brand, they are more likely to choose that brand over competitors. This is why companies invest heavily in creating emotional connections with their customers through storytelling, brand messaging, and advertising.

One way to shape brand perception is through the use of storytelling. Effective storytelling helps humanize a brand by providing a narrative that consumers can relate to. It can highlight the brand’s origins, values, and mission, making it more relatable and appealing. Brands like Apple, Nike, and Coca-Cola have successfully used storytelling to create strong emotional connections with their customers.

Consistency is another critical factor in brand perception. Brands that maintain a consistent image across all touchpoints—such as advertisements, packaging, and customer interactions—build trust and reliability with consumers. When people encounter a consistent brand, it reinforces their existing perceptions and strengthens the brand’s identity in their minds.

Moreover, the psychology of color plays a significant role in brand perception. Colors have the power to evoke specific emotions and associations. For example, red can symbolize excitement and energy, while blue often represents trust and reliability. Companies carefully select colors for their logos and branding to elicit the desired emotional response from consumers.

In addition to emotions and consistency, trust is a cornerstone of brand perception. Trust is built over time through a brand’s ability to deliver on its promises. When consumers trust a brand, they are more likely to forgive occasional missteps and remain loyal. Building trust requires transparency, reliability, and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Social proof is another psychological factor that influences brand perception. People tend to follow the crowd, and they often rely on the opinions and behaviors of others to make decisions. Positive reviews, endorsements from influencers, and user-generated content can all contribute to a brand’s social proof, making it more appealing to potential customers.

To shape the right brand image, companies must understand their target audience’s psychology. Different demographics have varying preferences, values, and motivations. Conducting market research and understanding consumer behaviors and preferences can help tailor brand messaging and strategies to resonate with specific customer segments.

Furthermore, adapting to changing consumer preferences and societal trends is crucial for brand longevity. Brands that remain stagnant and resistant to change risk becoming outdated and irrelevant. Adapting to new technologies, cultural shifts, and consumer demands can help a brand stay relevant and maintain a positive perception.

Final Thoughts:

The psychology of brand perception is a complex but essential aspect of modern marketing. Successful brands are those that understand the emotional connections, consistency, trust, and social proof that shape how consumers perceive them. By strategically using storytelling, color psychology, and adapting to changing trends, companies can shape the right image for success in a competitive marketplace. Brand perception is not static; it requires ongoing effort and attention to maintain and evolve, but the rewards in terms of customer loyalty and market leadership are well worth the investment.

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