Gurukripa’s Second Generation Launches Palate Specialty Caterers to Target Events for Up to 1,000 Guests

Passion Projects Hospitality has launched Palate Specialty Caterers, a premium catering venture led by second-generation hospitality entrepreneur Akshay Shetty. Launched in 2026, the business extends the group's food and beverage operations into weddings, corporate events, private gatherings and large-format celebrations.

The venture builds on the group's restaurant portfolio, which includes Gurukripa Restobar outlets in Powai and Thane, and Cray Craft Kitchen & Bar in Andheri, established in 2023. Founded by Late Shri Narayan Shetty in 1977, Gurukripa provides the group's existing culinary base for the new catering business.

Palate catered the Haldi ceremony of the granddaughter of Mr. V. R. Shariff, Founder and Chairman of Niton Valve Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Valvinox), in March 2026. The event involved gatherings of up to 1,000 guests. The company says it has the capacity to serve approximately 800–1,000 guests across different event formats.

Akshay Shetty, Proprietor, Passion Projects Hospitality, said, "Gurukripa has been an integral part of our journey, shaping our understanding of how food brings people together. With Palate, we are taking this experience into a new space, creating bespoke culinary experiences that go beyond conventional catering. From intimate celebrations to large-format events, exclusive private gatherings and brand-led experiences, Palate brings together curated food concepts, artistic presentation and interactive dining to make every occasion distinctive."

Palate's menu covers regional Indian and South Indian dishes, alongside Asian and Continental cuisines. Its offerings include Tacos Uramaki, a taco-style interpretation of sushi; Chef Amir Khan's Biryani, which is part of Gurukripa's existing menu; and Churros with Chocolate Canvas Art, an interactive dessert format.

The catering operation also offers live cooking stations, grazing tables and customisable menus. Standardised recipes and live batch cooking form part of its approach to maintaining consistency across events of different sizes.

With Palate, Passion Projects Hospitality is extending its restaurant-led food and beverage experience into the event catering segment, using its existing culinary portfolio and operational background to serve both private and corporate clients.