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Rainy season bliss: Café Noir presents its enchanting monsoon special menu!

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Café Noir
Café Noir

In the embrace of the monsoon season, Café Noir, the café venture by VRO Hospitality, eagerly unveils its exclusive Monsoon Special Menu for the year 2023. This highly anticipated menu promises to enchant not only the eyes but also the taste buds of its patrons. With a unique dining experience crafted to complement the enchanting rainy season, guests are in for a treat.

The team at Café Noir has passionately curated a diverse selection of new and authentic appetizers, sandwiches, and pides, all meticulously designed to capture the essence of the monsoon in every bite. From tantalizing appetizers to mouthwatering sandwiches, each dish holds the promise of a remarkable culinary journey.

The Monsoon Special Menu is a limited-time offering available at all Café Noir outlets in Bengaluru and Mumbai, running until August 31, 2023. This exclusive opportunity ensures that patrons can savor the essence of the season and indulge in the finest delicacies during this magical time.

Café Noir’s Monsoon Menu takes center stage with its dedication to incorporating the freshest seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors, offering an unparalleled dining experience. Meticulously crafted to harmonize with the ambiance of the Monsoon season, each dish promises to create a lasting impression and delight the senses. Whether one craves familiar comforts or desires to explore innovative delights, Café Noir’s Monsoon Menu promises a captivating culinary voyage for all. Expertly curated by a team of skilled chefs, the menu features an array of delectable vegetarian and non-vegetarian appetizers, sandwiches, and pides, all artfully capturing the essence of the monsoon in every bite.

Try the Monsoon special appetizers such as:

  • Café Noir Scotch Egg
  • Smoked Broccoli Gratin
  • Fritto Misto
  • Fried Arancini

It also offers unique sandwiches and pides, including options like:

  • Smoked Chicken, Jalapeño, Shedder Melt Panini
  • Chilly Mortadella & Cheese Croissant
  • Caprese Open Sandwich
  • Chilly Cheese Turkish Pide

Café Noir is a favorite spot for food lovers who want a special and memorable dining experience. It focuses on using high-quality ingredients, being innovative with their dishes, and providing a friendly atmosphere for their customers.

VRO Hospitality, a rapidly growing hospitality company headquartered in Bengaluru, has established itself as a prominent owner of upscale bars and restaurants in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The company’s journey began when two young friends, Dawn Thomas and Safdhar Adoor, freshly out of college, embarked on an event management venture called Rices Obliquity, captivating the party scene in Bengaluru. As their path unfolded, they were joined by experienced restaurateur Sharath Rice, and together, in May 2018, they laid the foundation for VRO Hospitality.

Since its inception, VRO Hospitality has been at the forefront of launching some of the most sought-after brands, including Badmaash Lounge, Hangover, Mirage, Nevermind, One Night in Bangkok, and Tycoons, each offering patrons an array of delightful culinary experiences. Expanding beyond traditional restaurants, VRO Hospitality also operates renowned cloud kitchens such as Burgers and Beyond, Holy Doh Pizzas, and Smashed and Whacky Chang.

Not stopping there, the founders’ entrepreneurial spirit led them to create yet another successful venture, SteppinOut, an online platform curating events and experiences. In early 2021, this platform caught the attention of Times Internet Limited, which resulted in its acquisition. With a trail of achievements and a dedication to excellence, VRO Hospitality continues to shape the hospitality landscape, leaving a mark of distinction in the industry.

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The Burger Company makes grand entrance into Nepal, aiming for 10 outlets in next 2 years

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The Burger Company
The Burger Company (Representative Image)

Indian home-grown brand, The Burger Company, recently revealed its exciting entry into Nepal’s dynamic culinary scene through a comprehensive master franchise agreement.

With a remarkable presence of more than 100 establishments across India, TBC has established itself as a well-known household brand, renowned for its delectable burgers, pizzas, beverages, fried chicken, and waffles. All of these culinary delights are presented in an environment that radiates allure and is perfect for capturing Instagram-worthy moments.

“We are thrilled to extend The Burger Company’s culinary journey beyond the borders of India and share our delicious Indianized flavors with the warm and welcoming people of Nepal. This marks a significant milestone for us, and we look forward to delighting taste buds and creating memorable dining experiences in Nepal,” shared Neelam Singh, Founder at The Burger Company.

The brand has ambitious plans to inaugurate 10 stores in Nepal within the upcoming two years, with the inaugural establishment making a splendid debut in the vibrant heart of Kathmandu, the capital city.

Furthermore, with its gaze fixed on the horizon, The Burger Company is charting a course towards international territories. The founder has revealed that the brand is currently in the preliminary phases of strategizing its entry into global markets such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Canada. This move aims to introduce the unique Indian interpretation of the beloved classic, the burger, to a worldwide audience.

The Burger Company operates 100+ outlets in 40+ cities this year and on its way to become the biggest Indian burger brand.

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Diageo’s premium liquor brands drive strong growth, surpassing full-year earnings estimates

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Diageo
Diageo (Representative Image)

On Tuesday, Diageo, the producer of Tanqueray gin, managed to surpass full-year earnings estimates by a narrow margin. This success was attributed to the strong performance of its premium liquor brands, which helped compensate for lower sales volumes.

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the largest spirits maker in the world capitalized on increased demand from home mixologists. The rising trend of at-home cocktail-making has driven higher sales for the company during this period.

As time went on, households started upgrading their preferences, opting for premium brands like Bulleit Bourbon and Don Julio tequila.

After the lockdowns were lifted, a significant number of people remained loyal to these brands, continuing to purchase them at bars and restaurants.

According to Diageo, their most premium brands contributed to 57% of the company’s overall organic net sales growth. As a result, shares in Diageo saw a 2.3% increase during early trading.

The company behind renowned brands like Johnnie Walker whisky, Captain Morgan’s rum, and Ketel One vodka reported a 6.5% increase in organic net sales for the year ending on June 30. This figure slightly exceeded the 6.4% growth anticipated by analysts, as per the consensus provided by the company.

Diageo attributed its full-year sales growth to a robust performance during the first half of the year.

“Results were roughly in line with expectations,” said Tineke Frikkee, a portfolio manager at Diageo investor Waverton Investment Management. “The next 12 months will be second-half weighted as comparatives will be tough for the rest of this calendar year.”

Looking to fiscal 2024, Diageo’s new CEO Debra Crew said in a statement, “I expect operating environment challenges to persist, with continued cost pressure and ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.”

Crew was appointed CEO in June after the death of long-time boss Ivan Menezes.

Diageo said its organic net sales increase reflected gains of 7.3 percentage points from higher prices and a more premium mix while organic sales volumes fell 0.8%.

Diageo’s organic operating profit rose 7%, beating the 6.3% expected by analysts.

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Coffee tech start-up Ansā secures $9 Million in funding for innovative micro-roaster launch in North America

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Ansā Micro-Roaster
Ansā Micro-Roaster

Ansā, the coffee tech start-up, has successfully raised $9 million in funding to bolster the widespread launch of its advanced coffee micro-roaster throughout North America.

Taking the lead in this funding round is Jibe Ventures, an early-stage fund headquartered in Tel Aviv. Joining them are other contributors such as Closed Loop Ventures, New Climate Ventures, Millennium Food-Tech, and Sweetwood.

Ansā has developed a completely self-sufficient miniature roasting machine, with the goal of offering an eco-friendly substitute to the conventional large roasters that typically utilize convection heat powered by gas, often exceeding temperatures of 200°C. The compact, user-friendly appliance crafted by Ansā operates quietly and without producing smoke.

Employing their patented method, Ansā energizes the coffee beans from their core to their outer shell, accomplishing this without generating any noise, heat, or undesirable byproducts. This fully automated appliance is equipped with advanced sensors and AI algorithms, guaranteeing a consistently even roast every time.

The device enables personalized, on-demand roasting of customized raw green coffee beans. It can swiftly roast a single serving of coffee within minutes or be programmed through the Ansā roasting app to roast any desired quantity at a specified time.

Subscribers enjoy a steady supply of premium-grade 100% Arabica beans, delivered in environmentally-friendly, bulk recyclable packaging.

According to Ansā, its approach to sourcing and supplying coffee beans significantly cuts the distances coffee beans need to travel by minimising transport between farms, roasting facilities and customers while eliminating reliance on single-use capsules and other environmentally polluting packaging.

Yuval Weisglass, Co-Founder and CEO of Ansā said that the company secured commercial contracts in 2023 with a lineup of distributors in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Seattle and more.

Matan Scharf, Ansā’s CMO and Co-Founder, said, “Ansā is rewriting the coffee narrative by bringing aromatic fresh coffee ‘from shrub to cup’ sustainably”.

“The coffee landscape has long yearned for a rejuvenation. Our mission is to provide consumers with an extraordinary coffee experience, allowing them to engage with green coffee beans while indulging in superior quality coffee at its freshest. And all in the knowledge that they are protecting our planet and the livelihoods of coffee farmers.”

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Wendy’s celebrates milestone achievement: Opens 100th outlet in India with plans for more

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Wendy's
Wendy's (Representative Image)

Wendy’s, the esteemed American international fast food restaurant chain, has proudly achieved a remarkable milestone in India. As confirmed by a company official’s announcement on social media, Wendy’s has successfully launched its 100th outlet in the country. The restaurant’s prime location is at Prahalad Nagar in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where it is set to delight customers with its delicious offerings and iconic flavors.

“I am delighted to share that we at Rebel Foods are proudly announcing the momentous occasion of opening our 100th Wendy’s Kitchens!” said Anburaj J, General Manager of Wendy’s India brand operations at Rebel Foods.

In 2020, cloud kitchen operator Rebel Foods acquired the license to exclusively develop Wendy’s cloud kitchens in India with a commitment to open approximately 250 such delivery-only kitchens across the country over a 10-year period, according to a previous release.

Founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas, the Ohio-based company Wendy’s originated as a quick-service hamburger restaurant chain. In May 2015, Wendy’s expanded its presence to the Indian market by launching a substantial 2500 sq. ft. restaurant situated in Gurgaon.

As of 2022, Wendy’s, along with its franchisees, collectively manages a network of more than 7,095 restaurants globally. In India, Wendy’s has established its presence in 19 cities across the country.

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Bikaji Foods International announces impressive Q1 FY24 results, net profit reaches INR 41.41 Crore

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bikaji
Bikaji (Representative Image)

Bikaji Foods International Limited (Bikaji), a prominent manufacturer of ethnic snacks, has announced a remarkable surge of 163.9 per cent in its consolidated net profit, reaching INR 41.41 crore during the first quarter (Q1) ending on June 30, 2023. This impressive figure is in stark contrast to the INR 15.69 crore consolidated net profit reported in the corresponding period of the previous year, as disclosed in the BSE filing.

According to the regulatory filing, the revenue from operations for Q1 FY24 witnessed a substantial growth, surging to INR 481.68 crore from INR 418.51 crore recorded in Q1 FY23.

Deepak Agarwal, Managing Director of the company, said, “We have started fiscal year FY24 with strong double-digit value, up 15% YoY and volume growth, up 15.2% YoY in Q1, the performance was broad-based across business segments and markets.”

Agarwal added, “We have delivered a resilient EBITDA margin in Q1 led by superior mix, operating leverage and effective cost management. We remain committed on strengthening our distribution network to achieve a deeper distribution across our core and focus markets and on track to expand our direct reach to 2.4 lakhs retail stores by FY24.”

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Tomato costs reach INR 200/kg in Chennai, state govt initiates relief through PDS shops

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tomato
Tomatoes (Representative Image)

With the price of tomato continuing to remain at INR 200/kg in Chennai, with some supermarkets even charging INR 210, creating a difficult situation for families, the state government is intervening to help the common people.

Tamil Nadu Cooperation Minister K.R. Periyakaruppan said that the state government would sell tomato at INR 60/kg through 500 PDS shops across the state.

Addressing media persons here, he said that the government was intervening in the market to reduce the woes faced by the families as the price of the staple vegetable was going up.

“The price of tomatoes went up in June and we expected it to come down within a week or maximum in two weeks. However there was no respite and instead, the price started increasing and is continuing for the past one month,” he said.

The minister also said that the vegetable price is on the rise due to low arrival of the vegetable in the market due to shortage in the production of tomatoes in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh due to heavy rains.

According to vendors, the current price of tomatoes in Karnataka stands at INR 1,900 for a 15 kg box. The vendors attribute this price surge to a scarcity of the product.

Mustafa, a trader at Koyambedu market, mentioned that the price is anticipated to decrease by mid-August or the first week of September. He explained that this decline is likely because it will be time for the next harvest during that period.

The Tamil Nadu government had earlier sold tomatoes through the PDS shops but the reduced arrival of stocks is leading to higher pricing of the vegetable.

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Lotte India expands portfolio with the indulgent Coffy Bite Rich!

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Coffy Bite Rich
Coffy Bite Rich

Lotte India, a leading contender in India’s confectionery industry, is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan by introducing the much-loved coffee-toffee brand, Coffy Bite Rich.

Coffy Bite Rich presents an irresistible fusion of nostalgia, skillfully blending the flavors of rich coffee and creamy vanilla to deliver a delightful and memorable coffee-based taste sensation.

Milan Wahi, MD of Lotte India, stated, “The introduction of Coffy Bite Rich marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s journey, catering to changing consumer preferences and tapping into the burgeoning demand for hard-boiled candies. We anticipate the Coffy Bite Rich to play a significant role in our overall revenue growth, as the category is growing. The new product is set to become the epitome of rich coffee and creamy vanilla, a product that not only resonates with consumers’ choices but also becomes an integral part of the lives of every Indian.”

Coffy Bite Rich stands out with its exclusive alternating swirl pattern, setting it apart and adding visual allure amidst intense competition in the confectionery market. Remaining faithful to the brand’s heritage, the recipe for Coffy Bite Rich has been meticulously crafted to retain the authentic Coffy Bite flavor. Multiple sensory trials involving diverse age groups have been conducted to ensure an unparalleled taste experience.

After acquiring Parry Confectionery, Lotte India emerged as a pioneer in the coffee-toffee brand segment, and since then, they have consistently upheld Coffy Bite as an iconic brand over the years. Since its initial launch in 1987, the brand has continually evolved, introducing a wide array of new flavors, variations, and packaging formats while staying true to its hallmark rich coffee taste.

The introduction of Coffy Bite Rich marks another significant milestone in Lotte India’s mission to revolutionize India’s confectionery landscape with innovative products. The company’s steadfast dedication to serving consumers’ interests and driving progress in the ever-changing food commerce domain sets it apart as a true industry leader.

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Sid’s Farm unveils pure and adulterant-free salted butter range for Hyderabad and Bengaluru markets

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Sid’s Farm, the Telangana based premium D2C Dairy brand, has recently made an exciting announcement. They are all set to unveil their new salted butter range, featuring two distinct varieties: Cow Butter and Buffalo Butter. The delectable products are soon to hit the shelves in Hyderabad and Bengaluru markets, and customers can look forward to enjoying them from August 1st, 2023, through the direct-to-consumer channel.

Sid’s Farm’s latest butter range proudly boasts of being free from Antibiotics, Preservatives, and Hormones. Packaged in attractive 100g boxes, these butter variants offer convenient and easy application for consumers.

Speaking about the new product, Dr. Kishore Indukuri, Founder, Sid’s Farm, stated – “As we aim to create a range of pure and unadulterated milk and milk products, it was a natural next step for us to add great tasting, traditionally made, salted butter to our basket. Our range of butter is churned from absolutely pure cow and buffalo milk that gives it the amazing taste and assurance of good health.”

Further, he added – “Packed with the goodness of nature, our range of Cow Butter and Buffalo Butter is directed to enhance the diverse flavors of rich Indian cuisines. Our sustainably sourced milk stands true to our commitment to providing pure and unadulterated milk products to our customers who care about the quality of food they eat.”

Since its establishment in 2016, Sid’s Farm has been dedicated to promoting the idea of pure, healthy, and adulterant-free milk and dairy products. Committed to upholding the highest quality standards, the company follows rigorous norms and testing processes. Each batch of milk undergoes a series of meticulous tests to eliminate any traces of adulterants such as urea, sugar, glucose, starch, peroxide, baking soda, caustic soda, formalin, melamine, and three classes of antibiotics, among others. This thorough examination is conducted at a micro level to ensure the complete absence of adulteration.

Sid’s Farm takes pride in its state-of-the-art laboratory, which conducts an impressive number of over 6,500 tests every day. Such rigorous scrutiny guarantees that only genuine, adulterant-free milk and dairy products reach their valued customers.

Sid’s Farm takes the testing of milk very seriously, starting right from the procurement stage. Every can of milk undergoes four levels of rigorous testing to guarantee the delivery of dairy products without any preservatives, additives, antibiotics, hormones, or adulterants of any kind. Before reaching the end consumer, each packet of milk product produced by Sid’s Farm must pass through every test, ensuring that only the pure nourishment and goodness of Mother Nature is unveiled to customers everywhere.

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Tomato prices soar in Delhi-NCR, expected to cross INR 200 per kilo mark, no relief until September

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Tomatoes
Tomatoes (Representative Image)

If you’re already concerned about the elevated tomato costs in Delhi and the NCR region, brace yourself for further unfortunate tidings. According to a report by ToI, the retail cost of tomatoes is projected to surge past INR 200 per kilogram, reaching an unprecedented peak. This surge is attributed to an ongoing scarcity in states responsible for tomato production.

As per information from vegetable wholesalers in Delhi, a batch of 25 kilograms of tomatoes was auctioned at INR 4,100 in Uttarakhand on Monday. Considering the commission of mandi authorities, transportation expenses to Delhi, and added profit margins, it is anticipated that the wholesale price in Delhi’s mandis will surpass INR 5,000 per crate.

Vegetable wholesale trader Sardar Tony Singh, operating within Keshopur Mandi, reported procuring crates of tomatoes at a price of INR 4,100 each, originating from the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand.

“The prices this year have broken all previous records. Tomato in this season is generally auctioned for INR 1,200-1,400 for 25 kilos. I have not seen such high prices in my entire life,” he said.

Since June, there has been a notable rise in tomato prices, mainly due to decreased production and crop losses resulting from heavy rains in certain states. Presently, tomatoes are being sold at INR 150-180 per kilo in the retail market. In reaction to this situation, numerous fast-food chains have decided to eliminate tomatoes from their products, while restaurants have temporarily removed tomato soup from their menus.

Read More: McDonald’s in Delhi grapples with tomato crisis, temporarily removes tomatoes from offerings

Also Read: After McDonald’s, Subway India outlets remove tomatoes from salads and sandwiches amidst soaring prices

In order to ease the financial strain on consumers, the central government has provided subsidies on tomatoes and launched sales at approximately 500 outlets, offering them at an initial price of INR 90 per kilo, which was subsequently lowered to INR 80.

Read More: Central government takes action to address soaring tomato prices, plans procurement from key states

Anil Malhotra, serving as the general secretary of the Vegetable Traders’ Association, indicated that Delhi sources its tomato supply from Uttarakhand, Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. He highlighted that there was an abundant tomato harvest in both 2020 and 2021, prompting farmers to dispose of their yield due to elevated transportation expenses in relation to the market prices. As a result, farmers in diverse regions, such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, opted to curtail tomato cultivation this year in favor of growing various varieties of flowers.

Owing to diminished output coupled with sustained consumer demand, tomato prices have experienced a substantial increase.

The influx of tomatoes at Azadpur Mandi has declined from approximately 500 tonnes per day to a range of 350-400 tonnes during July. On Monday, the market received a meager 137 tonnes of tomatoes from a collective supply of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Traders foretold that the prices were poised to remain elevated throughout the month, with a potential easing anticipated only during the initial week of September, coinciding with an anticipated increase in supply from Maharashtra.

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