Ayesha Takia's vegan restaurant to launch soon

Indulging in what you like without compromising on the taste is what everybody looks for. So, with the concept of serving innovation with flavor, one8 Commune in association with Blue Tribe Food, has launched “The Vegan Grub”- a plant based menu bringing an alternative approach to customer’s everyday meals.

The Vegan Grub menu include dishes like; Chicken Katsu Bao, Paper Thin Pizza, ​​Wok Tossed Sausage & Guntur Chili Rice, and Keema Pav amongst others.

“There is a larger part of the consumer who is levitating towards vegan food but doesn’t want to bargain on the taste and aroma. Hence, vegan food made with plant based protein is gaining popularity as it helps in targeting both the issues,” shared Chef Pawan Bisht, who has designed the menu.

Each dish involves ingredients / protein that is derived from plants, such as plant based pepperoni, plant based keema, plant based pork sausage and others. Each product is made of ingredients like soy, peas, vegetable protein, and more, which are an approachable alternative for everyday life!

“Through the launch of our new menu with a successful culinary venture like one8 Commune, we promise a vast variety of scrumptious mock meat products for not just vegans or vegetarians, but for everyone. We share a strong bond with Virat and Anushka, who have wholeheartedly spearheaded Blue Tribe’s plant-meat revolution. This is yet another crucial step towards promoting the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet, through a perfectly curated menu that promises the real texture, taste, and flavor of the meat,” added Sohil Wazir, CCO, Blue Tribe.

Blue Tribe Foods has been a strong voice for the use of plant based protein with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma as their ambassadors and investors, who had been following a meat-free lifestyle for years. Their association with Blue Tribe Food is a step towards raising awareness for a more conscious approach in which the food is consumed without impacting the environment.

Little Italy Group, a pioneer in serving Italian cuisine in India, has launched a comprehensive vegan menu with some of the best Italian dishes for their consumers.

Known for serving the real goodness and freshness of vegetarian Italian food for over 3 decades, dishing out some of the best pizzas and pasta, Little Italy is now serving the vegan menu in locations like Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur.

“Our ideology with the vegan menu was to make dishes that aren’t conventionally vegan or vegan dishes that are hard to make, so we wanted to recreate them using plant-based products. Naturally vegan products do not have the same characteristics as dairy products so making the pizza feel cheesier with vegan cheese or making a pasta creamier using soy milk and not full fat cream was a challenge. However, our dedicated team of chefs have been able to come up with very innovative and delicious vegan dishes which can be enjoyed by everyone! And yes, non-vegans too love our vegan menu,” shared Amrut Mehta, Director, Little Italy Group.

Veganism as a trend picked up in India a lot more during the pandemic when people switched to living a healthier and balanced lifestyle. While Little Italy was initially serving limited options in their vegan cuisine, with the rising demand for vegan dishes they launched an entire vegan menu.

Out of the 50,000 pizzas the company sells every month at least 5,000 are vegan, similarly 10-15% of their pasta sales are from vegan dishes. Currently, the revenue from vegan dishes amounts to INR 50-70 Lakhs monthly and it's growing at a rapid pace.

In the vegan menu their Verde Pizza, Pizza Rustic, 4 Cheese Pasta and Parma Rosa Pasta are some of the best seller dishes in Little Italy. They also have vegan options in desserts, their vegan cheesecake and chocolate mousse are the highlight, which is so good that customers are surprised to know that it is vegan.

The food products to be called vegan, shall not have involved animal testing for any purpose, including safety evaluation, unless provided by any regulatory authority, says FSSAI notification

Seeking to put in place a strict regulatory framework for vegan foods in the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has made it compulsory for manufacturers of such products to display the logo specified by the authority for easier recognition as well as ensure traceability of the products up to the level of manufacturers.

Besides, sellers of vegan foods should either exclusively or as part of retail merchandise store and display the products in a manner distinguishable from non-vegan foods.

The regulator has also mandated that no vegan food products should be imported except with a certificate issued by the recognised authorities of the exporting countries concerned.

After coming out with the draft regulations for public comments in September 2021, the FSSAI issued the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022 earlier this month.

According to the watchdog, vegan food means the food or food ingredient, including additives, flavourings, enzymes and carriers, or processing aids that are not products of animal origin and in which, at no stage of production and processing, ingredients that are of animal origin have been used.

The FSSAI has said that no person can manufacture, pack, sell, offer for sale, market or otherwise distribute or import any food as vegan food unless they comply with the requirements laid down under the regulations.

"The food products to be called vegan, shall not have involved animal testing for any purpose, including safety evaluation, unless provided by any regulatory authority," as per the regulations notified on June 10.

Every packaging material used for vegan foods should comply with the provisions of the packaging regulations. The seller of vegan food, either exclusively or as part of retail merchandise, should store and display such food in a manner distinguishable from non-vegan food. Every package of vegan foods, after the approval, should carry the logo specified by the FSSAI.

After launching the plant-based burgers in 2019, Burger King location at Leicester Square in London has gone entirely vegan.

The burger chain will serve vegan products until April 10 to determine if there's a demand for fully vegan locations, as per a VegNews.com report.

The outlet will offer the brand's Plant-Based Whopper, its Vegan Royale and a full menu of vegan options, including a kids menu. Newly-launched menu items include the Japanese-inspired Vegan Katsu Royale and the Plant-Based Katsu Chilli Whopper.

The QSR chain also shared that its items will be vegan during the test run, but are not certified and do not carry the vegan trademark.

"We're incredibly proud of our new meat-free menu. It absolutely delivers on big taste with no compromises and reflects our ongoing commitment to serving our customers a diverse and innovative range of products,” said Katie Evans, CMO, Burger King UK.

Mumbai is all set to welcome a new vegan restaurant, The Green Affair that is located in Breach Candy.

Termed as India's first vegan party destination by Ankit Mundra & Diksha Mundra, The Green Affair spans two floors including an indoor and rooftop area, serving healthy, clean, European & American cuisines, complemented by a selection of curated signature vegan cocktails. 

A first-of-its-kind vegan restaurant with 100 percent natural ingredients serves up delectable plates to its patrons. Under the direction of Head Chef Rakesh Manchandani, diners can enjoy a meal that begins with tapas & starters to main course.

The cocktail menu at The Green Affair, also 100% vegan.

An all-day dining restaurant by the day offering a casual dining ambiance, the evenings at The Green Affair transforms the space into a cocktail bar best suited for dancing the night away. Apart from being a 100% vegan restaurant, The Green Affair is a sustainable space that avoids any use of plastic.

“As my wife & I have been vegans for the last 3 and a half years, the start of this journey began with a simple yet desperate need of enjoying Mumbai’s party scene without having to compromise on the food. And though there are places that do offer vegan food, the party vibe is amiss with only a cafe feel left behind. It was then we realized and decided we needed to make a change, being the first,” shared Ankit.

The Green Affair hosts regular events, artist performances, brunches, sundowners and more. 

GoodDot’s sister venture, the plant-based QSR chain GoodDO, has now launched its latest outlet in Inorbit Mall, Malad.

Offering veganised versions of traditional favorites in Indian cuisine and international fast foods, GoodDO already has five outlets across Mumbai.

“GoodDO has received a lot of love from folks around Mumbai and elsewhere, which has encouraged us to expand to new locations and formats. Our new kiosk at Inorbit Mall, Malad is our first foray into a mall in Mumbai and will help us take our concept of innovative, fun, and affordable vegan foods to folks in the Western suburbs,” shared Abhinav Sinha, Co-Founder, and CEO, GoodDO that is also gearing up for further expansion in the coming weeks and months,” shared
GoodDO – 

Founded in Udaipur, Rajasthan, it is India’s first Vegan Eatery that offers 100% plant-based meat and dairy substitute dishes.

Along with this, GoodDO also serves plant-based UnMylk shakes and ice-creams, which have a fan following of their own. While GoodDO is a vegan brand, their customers include an even mix of vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, pointing to the universal appeal of their offerings.

All-time great "Charlie Chaplin" launches its F&B vertical in India through its exclusive licensing partner UnitedVegan Pvt. Ltd.

The first flagship QSR ‘Charlie Chaplin LaVegano’ was unveiled in Bengaluru at New Bel Road.

The restaurant offers various categories like All day breakfast, Salads, Appetisers, Burgers, Pizzas, Wraps, Rice bowls, Beverages and Desserts.

“We are excited to launch the first flagship Charlie Chaplin LaVegano – Global Fast Food QSR in India at Bengaluru,” said Vandana Bhardwaj, Director of UnitedVegan Pvt. Ltd by adding that Charlie Chaplin was a legend and his movies have inspired all of us. “We are extremely privileged to partner with the brand ‘Chaplin’ that has spread its wings across the globe through many business verticals and now entered India in the Food & Beverage category.

The restaurant aims to embrace wholesome food for a healthy planet and a healthy body.

“We intend to extend our footprints nationally to over 100 outlets primarily through franchising. We will also distribute ready to eat and drink food & beverage products through online and offline channel partners across SAARC region,” added Bhardwaj.

Charlie Chaplin LaVegano has mesmerising Chaplin themed interiors serving fun & food; showcasing everlasting Chaplin's music & movies. Props from Chaplin movies and his character like Chaplin statue, hat, stick, selfie point and watch clogs are used at many places within the QSR.

Video Clips from Chaplin movies are played along with mouthwatering delicacies that are served at the QSR.

Mumbai-based Freshezy has launched MIGHTY a ready-to-cook and eat range of plant-based protein preparations as an optimal diet for Indian palates and their health.

These preparations are a first of its kind innovation by food tech company -FreshEzy Foodtech Pvt Limited to make every Indian healthier, stronger and mightier one meal at a time.

The wide range of products are artisanal, handcrafted products which cater to the evolving Indian palate. Unlike most plant-based products (PBP) in the market, MIGHTY promises to delight the taste buds while nourishing the body in a convenient and far more accessible manner.

MIGHTY will be available / retailed soon in Mumbai and Pune.

Backed by serial investor Tarun Katial, MIGHTY seeks to fill this very gap with its plant-based, tasty and clean protein product range. 

“Our plant-based products are handmade, high-quality protein extracted from Green Gram, Chickpeas and Peas to cater to a protein-deficient India. Mighty is targeted at the young but busy individual helping them meet their daily protein requirement,” shared Dibyendu Bindal - Founder & CEO, MIGHTY.

For every vegan, the gluten sensitive, the vegetarians, the hard-core meat loving folks, there is an inclusive bunch of products ranging from Indian palate such as Seekh Kebab, Galauti Kebab, Shammi Kebab, Beetroot Cheesy Tikki, Grilled Mock Fish, Samosa, Kachori to International palate such as Zucchini Fritters, Spring Rolls, Momos, Lasagna, Spaghetti Meat and many more.

“India needs to encourage the consumption of protein as a part of a daily diet, which is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 - to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and SDG 3 - the promotion of good health and wellbeing,” added Bindal.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has written to QSR chains McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King India, urging them to add vegan options to their menus, as they are doing abroad in many places.

The letters were sent after Beyond Meat’s global partnership agreement with KFC’s parent company, Yum!Brands, and McDonald’s Corporation to explore and roll out plant-based meat and egg alternatives for these fast-food chains as the global demand for vegan food continues to surge.

“Much of the world – many Indians included – is turning away from meat, eggs, and dairy over animal welfare, environmental, or health concerns,” shared Dr Kiran Ahuja, Vegan Outreach Co-ordinator, PETA India  by adding that PETA is calling on these fast-food companies to accept the way the wind is blowing and offer the vegan meals that their customers here want, just as they do abroad.

Beyond Meat is planning to debut its products in India through UAE-based food manufacturer and distributor IFFCO, a subsidiary of India’s Allana.

In its letters, PETA India points to a study by market research company Ipsos that came out in 2019- – before the bird flu crisis and the pandemic – which revealed that 63% of Indians were willing to eat plant-based meat. And a whopping 61.68% of nearly 3,500 Delhi-NCR residents polled recently said they refused to consume chickens and eggs because of the bird flu scare.

Influential couple’s entrepreneurial venture could be the starting point of a new Indian industry in sustainable eating, joining a global wave. In what is the first major Indian development in a rapidly growing global movement, influential actors and social icons Genelia & Riteish Deshmukh have announced their new plant-based meat venture, Imagine Meats.

Plant-based meats are a next generation food innovation which are made entirely from plant ingredients such as pea protein and coconut oil, but which perfectly replicate the taste, smell, and sizzle of animal meat. They go far beyond the traditional soya nuggets or mock meats, and therefore offer non-vegetarians a simple switch which is far better for the environment in terms of land, water, and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and for public health because it does not increase the risk of zoonotic diseases such as swine flu and avian flu. This is particularly important in countries like India, where meat consumption is expected to rise radically over the next decades with rising incomes.

“As a mother, and as a citizen of India and the world, I have always been focused on the kind of planet we are leaving behind for our children. Seeing first-hand the innovation underway in the global food industry, Riteish and I were encouraged to take this big step and bring to you delicious foods which are so much better for the planet,” said Genelia Deshmukh, Founder, Imagine Meats.

Globally, the sector is growing extremely rapidly, with several companies scaling to billions of dollars in size and even being listed on stock exchanges.

With guidance and assistance from the Good Food Institute India, Imagine Meats is bringing together the best of global food science with Indian traditions and culinary excellence.

They forged a partnership with leading global ingredients manufacturer Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), which allowed them to access expertise in food science, flavours, and product development across Singapore, Berlin, and the United States. These experts worked closely with the Deshmukhs even throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to craft the most authentic delicacies to cater to Indian palates - think juicy kebabs, biryanis, and curries.

“I have been a hardcore meat eater who turned vegetarian 4 years ago. Let me be honest - there have been times when I have craved the taste and indulgence of meat. With plant based meats around, I am a much happier vegetarian now. I would rather just imagine meat,” added Riteish Deshmukh, founder, Imagine Meats.

The company will launch their products through various channels in coming months, and consumers can expect to see more on the different dishes, meats, and partnerships throughout the rest of the year.

Varun Deshpande, Managing Director at the Good Food Institute India, said, “Plant-based meats have immense potential to help us safeguard planetary health, without sacrificing our tastes. India is taking its first steps, in a sector which is soaring globally and demonstrating a model to save the planet. Covid-19 has underscored that we can no longer take our planet for granted. We’re thrilled to support entrepreneurs like Genelia & Riteish along with our partners like ADM, and are looking forward to building a more healthy, sustainable, and just food system together.”

Commenting on the same, Sanjay Laud, Managing Director at ADM Nutrition (India), said, “ADM Nutrition India is excited to be on board with this major initiative. These smart protein products are the ideal way to cater to today’s conscious consumers, who are increasingly looking to balance the idea of craving meat with eating a planet-friendly diet. ADM’s extensive expertise and complete range of plant protein solutions from raw materials to expertly crafted ingredients means we are uniquely placed to address this evolving landscape. We are proud to be a partner in the launch of Imagine Meats, and in building the sector in the country along with the Good Food Institute India.”

Fast Food giant Burger King has launched ‘Impossible Whopper’ the meat-free version of his signature Whopper that is known for its beef and mutton patty globally.

The Whopper chain has launched this vegan burger at over 59 restaurants in St Louis.

The meatless burger or the vegan burger that mostly has soy and potato protein, features coconut oil, sunflower oil and heme -- an iron-rich protein that simulates the texture, color and taste of actual meat is manufactured by California- based Impossible Foods that makes plant-based substitutes.

“We’ve done sort of a blind taste test with our franchisees, with people in the office, with my partners on the executive team, and virtually nobody can tell the difference,” said Christopher Finazzo, President- North America, Burger King to The Guardian.

There is no doubt that the Miami-based burger chain has been serving veggie burger at its restaurants globally but the new burger is being marketed as an alternative to the meat options.  Burger King also mentioned that it will still put mayonnaise on the Whopper’s twin and claims the vegan patty is not for vegans alone.

Restaurants like Carl’s Jr also sells vegan burgers in selected US locations. Whereas, Impossible Burgers are also on the menu of US chain restaurants White Castle and Red Robin.

Recently, Nestle also announced plans to roll out ‘cook from raw’ plant-based burgers in Europe under the Garden Gourmet brand and in the United States under the Sweet Earth label.

In December, Unilever said it had bought up Dutch brand De Vegetarische Slager (The Vegetarian Butcher) to position itself in the expanding sector.

Also, brands like Good Dot in India are also marketing and selling their products under vegan options. The Udaipur-based company has got an alternate to KFC’s famous zinger burger.

Pic Courtesy: The Guardian

Vegannection recently launched the world's first vegan prepaid cash card. The Vegannection prepaid cash card is based on the cashback and referral models, and it can only be used at 100% vegan establishments. It is a plastic-free virtual card and bears a vegan flag.

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At the moment, it can only be used at 29 Vegannection partners in London, the UK, varying from hairdressers and clothes stores to restaurants, caterers and superfood companies. The company, however, is working hard on bringing it soon to other cities, countries and continents.

In spite of the fact that, for now, the card can only be used in London, UK, Vegannection has cardholders in 33 countries already: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US.

The vegan company aims at making the cashless payments at all types of 100% vegan establishments. Upon signing up, the Vegannection card can be accessed through smartphones, therefore, making it feasible for the users to make payments just using the smartphone.

The world’s first vegan debit card, Vegannection, is also based on the cashback and referral models. Users also get benefits upon inviting friends to use the card. Once the payment is made at an all-vegan establishment, the users receive 2% cashback, and if their friends, who joined through the referral program, make a payment, the user will get 0.5% cashback.

"Most people think this card is a perfect tool for supporting the vegan economy, vegan retailers, vegan consumers, and vegan lifestyle. We have a grand vision of this project, and a better world in the near future, and we are really excited to see that come to life soon."

~Vegannection

There are no costs, maintenance charges nor any other monthly or renewal fees.

By Restaurant India Bureau