ITC's Sunbean Beaten Caffe to compete with Unilever's Bru and Nestle's Nescafe

ITC Windsor has appointed Ritesh Arora as the new Food and Beverage (F&B) Manager, bringing over 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the role. His appointment is expected to enhance the hotel’s F&B operations and strengthen its position in India’s hospitality sector.

Ritesh began his hospitality career in 2011 as a Food and Beverage Associate at ITC Rajputana, Jaipur. He later joined The Leela Palace, Bengaluru, where he spent nine years in various roles, concluding his tenure as Assistant Food and Beverage Manager before transitioning to ITC Windsor.

A graduate of Amity University Rajasthan with a B.Sc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration, Ritesh has developed expertise in beverage portfolio management, fine dining, private dining, team engagement, and guest satisfaction. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his contributions, earning awards such as “Bar Manager of the Year” and “F&B Person of the Year.”

In his new role, Ritesh will oversee all food and beverage operations at ITC Windsor, with a focus on refining dining experiences and implementing innovative service practices. He will also lead efforts to maintain the hotel’s hospitality standards while fostering team development.

Ritesh stated, “ITC Windsor is an iconic property with a rich heritage. I am thrilled to join this team and look forward to contributing to its tradition of delivering exceptional dining experiences. My focus will be on creating memorable moments for our guests while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence within the team.”

Sabrina Dey, General Manager of ITC Windsor added, “We are excited to welcome Ritesh to the ITC Windsor family. His extensive experience and proven track record in food and beverage operations make him an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that his leadership will further enhance our culinary offerings and ensure unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

Ritesh’s appointment reflects ITC Windsor’s commitment to strengthening its hospitality services and enhancing the dining experience for its guests.

ITC's Hotel Group is expanding its Storii brand with the addition of two new resorts in Rajasthan, furthering the brand's presence in India’s hospitality and retail sectors. This move aligns with ITC's strategy of asset-light expansion and marks a significant step in its portfolio growth.

Set to open in early 2025, Storii by ITC Hotels will introduce new properties in Jaipur and Jawai. These additions follow the recent signing of Storii Jaisalmer, bringing the total number of Storii properties in Rajasthan to three. 

Anil Chadha, Chief Executive of ITC Hotels said, “Brand Storii is a diverse collection of properties that tell their own unique story. From Portuguese abodes, wellness retreats and an erstwhile castle! Staying true to the nature of the brand, Storii Jaipur and Storii Jawai are set to weave their own stories for our guests through their offerings. The location of the two resorts is perfect for travelers looking to experience the destination while also exploring culture reminiscent of a glorious heritage.”

Thakur Shri Mansingh Kanota, Owner of Castle Kanota shared, “Built in 1872, Castle Kanota was the intended official family residence for the Kanota family. We have since hosted many a dignitary and are now in the process of expanding the property into a heritage resort. As the needs of the typical traveler change towards experiential, we trust ITC Hotels to bring its expertise and nuanced hospitality to this property with brand Storii.”

Storii Jaipur will offer 52 rooms and suites within a 150-year-old castle-style resort. The property will feature an all-day dining restaurant, bar, and approximately 5000 sq. ft. of banquet space. Situated on the Jaipur-Agra Road, near the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the resort combines historical architecture with modern amenities, providing a scenic backdrop for events and weddings.

Jaipur, known as the "Pink City" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, making it an ideal location for Storii’s latest venture. 

Storii Jawai, located less than two hours from Udaipur, will feature 15 expansive rooms and suites with private open areas, an all-day dining restaurant, bar, lounge, recreational area with a swimming pool, fitness center, and a kids' play area. 

Jawai, situated between Jodhpur and Udaipur, is gaining popularity as an offbeat eco-tourism destination. Known for its wildlife, including leopards, birds, and crocodiles, Jawai also attracts over 100 species of migratory birds annually.

Vinita Rathore, Owner of Storii by ITC Hotels, Jawai, stated, “Jawai has come into its own as a wildlife destination in recent years. We are confident that our premium product along with ITC Hotels’ hospitality expertise will enable Storii Jawai to position itself as a preferred destination for high-end leisure travelers and wildlife enthusiasts in years to come.”

Storii by ITC Hotels is a collection of boutique properties catering to the evolving needs of global travelers. Each location offers distinct experiences, whether in historical sites, scenic locales, or adventure-filled jungles, ensuring that every property tells its own unique story.

ITC is set to expand its trial cloud kitchen initiative from Bengaluru to Chennai and further plans to reach Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata.

The company is known for offering North Indian meals and bakery items through delivery apps, is considering introducing breakfast and oriental cuisines. Hemant Malik, the executive director, revealed these plans.

Malik stated, "Our success recipe involves renowned brands with inherent credibility, cuisine expertise backed by ITC Hotels' chefs, and leveraging the strengths of our packaged foods business."

The company refers to this venture as "food-tech," recognizing it as a promising avenue for growth. Presently, it operates three brands within this domain: ITC Aashirvaad Soul Creations offering North Indian comfort food, ITC Master Chef Creations specializing in gourmet North Indian dishes, and ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations providing bakery items.

With 19 cloud kitchens in Bengaluru and four in Chennai, these facilities have already reached the break-even point.

 "Our essential tech-learning for this venture stems from our emphasis on digital transformation. Our model revolves around establishing central kitchens and satellite units in the cities we serve. Within just two years, we've secured the top position in Bengaluru's premium segment, and now, we aim to expand this success to other cities." added Malik.

Amandeep Kaur is a graduate of the Welcomgroup Management Institute (WMI), currently holds the position of General Manager at ITC Gardenia in Bengaluru.

Previously serving as the GM at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels on Richmond Road in Bengaluru, Amandeep successfully oversaw the property's operations, guiding her team to attain their targeted outcomes.

Amandeep initiated her career with ITC Grand Central in Mumbai, contributing to the pre-opening endeavors.

She then transitioned to roles within the housekeeping teams at ITC Sonar in Kolkata and Sheraton in New Delhi.

A significant milestone in her journey involved her instrumental contribution to the launch of the largest hotel in the chain, ITC Grand Chola in Chennai. Following this, she assumed the role of Executive Housekeeper at ITC Grand Bharat in Gurgaon.

Subsequently, she transitioned to ITC Gardenia as the Executive Housekeeper and swiftly advanced to the role of Resident Manager within a year.

Aman's ascension to the General Manager position marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead the property.

She was recently awarded ‘Best General Manager- South’ in the upper upscale category by Indian Hospitality Awards 2023.

ITC Master Chef Creations is preparing to launch a month-long celebration of mutton called Jashn-E Gosht in Bangalore through their cloud brand ITC Master Chef Creations.

The Mutton Nihari is meticulously slow-cooked broth that  twings your taste buds. The Bhuna Gosht, inspired by the exquisite "Mande Ka Salon Style" of Aurangabad.

Additionally, for the Biryani enthusiasts of Bengaluru, a serving of the succulent Gosht Keema Biryani is also introduced.

These dishes showcase their exceptional culinary mastery. The festival provides an incredible opportunity for individuals to savor the genuine flavors of mutton dishes originating from the North West Frontier regions of India.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional delicacies of Eid, the festival pays homage to India's vibrant and varied culinary legacy, while highlighting the talent and proficiency of ITC's master chefs.

These special curated set menu available for delivery via popular food delivery platforms like Swiggy or Zomato.

The menu encompasses an array of dishes including Mutton Nihari, Mutton Curry, Bhuna Gosht, Keema Masala, Keema Matar, Keema Biryani, Mutton Shikampuri Kebab, and Gosht Biryani, ensuring a diverse gastronomic experience.

ITC Maratha Mumbai has announced the appointment of Saransh Mehan as the Food & Beverage Manager for its 380 rooms & 7 Restaurants and Bars, large scale luxury operations.

Prior to this role, Saransh was associated with ITC Grand Goa as the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager; and holds an impressive business track record of 5 years with the group.

A seasoned hospitality professional with over a decade of experience in food & beverage in the hospitality, Saransh’s well-rounded experience makes him the ideal leader for this key role where his responsibilities will include managing a host of branded cuisine outposts of the group such as Dum Pukht and Peshawri; and soon to launch Avartana and Yi Jing.

A native of Delhi, Saransh started his career as the STEP under-trainee from Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development- The Oberio Vanyavilas, before moving two major new opening projects The Ritz Carlton Bangalore and JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. Apart from this, he also has had an international stint with Hotel Emirates Palace Kempinski- Abu Dhabi and later with Lite Bite Foods, adding perspective to his well-rounded approach to the world of dining.

He considers his soft-skills in people management as his biggest strength; creating memories for guests through unique dining experiences has always fascinated Saransh.

He thrives on developing new ideas and concepts, innovative and creative ways to improve the service standards to delight guests.

As the F&B manager at ITC Maratha, Mumbai; Saransh plans to invest time in growth and development of associates and empowering them to provide exceptional guest service.

He would also like to focus on innovation and implementation of new trends in food and beverage operations.

A social media enthusiast, he enjoys exploring the newest trends in Food52 to keep himself up to date on International and Local dining trends. His roots in bartending and mixology are well reflected in his collection of certificates in courses in the beverage world.

ITC Hotels has appointed Deepak Menezes as the new General Manager at the iconic property ITC Windsor, Bengaluru.

With over two decades of experience in hospitality, Deepak brings with him an astute sense of business and markets.

Deepak is a highly dynamic, goal-driven and accomplished professional with luxury hospitality experience in customer service, hotel and resort management, complemented with a proven record of success in pre-opening assignments and overseeing daily hotel operations.

He has been associated with ITC Hotels for over 7 years and his previous assignments include a tenure of 5 years and 2 years at ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon and ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata respectively.

In his role as the General Manager at ITC Windsor, he will be responsible for day to day operations and management of the hotel, while leading the teams to drive revenues and increase brand value. With extensive and practical knowledge of Food & Beverage concepts & operations, enhancing guest experiences, product and hotel development, he brings with him the perfect skill set and experience required to carry forward the legacy of ITC Windsor and achieve the desired goals amongst the competition set in the city of Bengaluru.

In his personal time, Deepak likes to indulge in golfing, yoga, gourmet cooking, gardening, listening to slow rock and retro, travelling, meeting people and networking.

Cloud kitchen brand Kitchens@ has partnered with ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and ITC Master Chef Creations.

With this partnership ITC has marked its entry into the food service online space.

“We are proud to partner with one of the biggest conglomerates in the world. We started working with ITC on a pilot project and were successful in helping it achieve significant growth in a short time span. We are thrilled that they entrusted us to support their new age online play,” said Saurabh Jha, CEO of Kitchens@.

Kitchens@is a digital accelerator of power food brands providing end-to-end solutions to F&B businesses from asset light-cloud kitchens to a highly efficient last-mile delivery readiness.

This partnership will enable ITC Foods to enter food service play at a city scale while operating from several cloud kitchen locations across Bengaluru.

Kitchens@ will operate the day-to-day functions for ITC Foods, giving them ample bandwidth to focus on brand building, marketing, product development and quality systems.

It will also provide a comprehensive and efficient last mile readiness through its infrastructure, technology & procurement support, manpower& culinary operations support, and marketing aids assisted by and under the guidance of chefs from ITC.  

“Getting into online food service was an important decision for ITCand them choosing us as preferred partner is a testimony to our differentiated hygienic cloud kitchens and quality services. We look forward to a successful partnership at scale,” added Junaiz Kizhakkayil, Founder of Kitchens@.

Kitchens@ is currently associated with 80 domestic and international brands, including Mainland China, Empire, Chai Point, A2B, Domino's, Taco Bell, and Barbeque Nation and is present in 12 high-demand locations in Bengaluru.

Gaurav Soneja is the new General Manager of ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru from November 22nd, 2021.

An alumnus of IHM Bangalore, Gaurav started his career with The Leela Hotels in 2003, followed by stints of international exposure as Restaurant Manager at Emirates Palace - Abu Dhabi and Ishtar Palace – Jordan. He joined ITC Hotels as Restaurant Manager at Sheraton, New Delhi in 2007.

In 2009, he moved to ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru as Beverage Manager during the pre-opening phase and played an instrumental role in setting up the beverage portfolio of the hotel. He then moved on to ITC Windsor, Bengaluru, ITC Grand Central, Mumbai and ITC Sonar, Kolkata in the role of Food & Beverage Manager.

Subsequently, Gaurav rose to become the Resident Manager at ITC Sonar, Kolkata where he was elevated to the position of Cluster Hotel Manager for both ITC Sonar and the recently opened ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata. In 2018, after the successful Opening & Operationalizing ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata, he was transferred to the flagship hotel of the chain-ITC Maurya, New Delhi as Hotel Manager. In this role, he was responsible for the overall operations of the hotel.He then returned to ITC Gardenia as the General Manager of the hotel in November 2021.

Along with operational excellence, Gaurav’s passion for food & beverage fructified in new brands for the chain at both ITC Gardenia and ITC Royal Bengal. His go getter attitude and strive to succeed brings out the best in the people who work with him.

Gaurav is an avid golfer and loves to meet people from different spheres of life. He loves spending time with his daughter and family.He is also an animal lover and is a proud parent of two dogs.

McDonald’s India is delighting its young customers in a unique way by giving a wholesome refresh to everyone’s favourite Happy Meal. Here is what the new Happy Meal will include:

The QSR chain has partnered with leading FMCG company ITC Ltd. to add a differentiated fruit beverage, B Natural to the Happy Meal^TM.

B Natural’s Mixed Fruit (No Added Sugar) beverage is made from fruit pulp, puree & juiceof six delicious Indian fruits. It is a source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and contains no added sugar or preservatives.

This is yet another initiative by the brand to make its food more wholesome and nutritious.

The new Happy Meal is available across all McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India.

This initiative comes as a part of McDonald’s #25ActsofHappy campaign undertaken by the brand to give customers sweet surprises through the year, as it completes 25 years in the country. 

“At McDonald’s, we have always been cognizant of the needs and demands of our ever-evolving consumers. Children are an integral part of the McDonald’s family and we are excited to bring this new wholesome Happy Meal^TMto them. This initiative helps us further strengthen our commitment to the Good Food Journey,” shared Arvind RP, Director - Marketing and Communications, McDonald’s India (West and South).

McDonald’s India has also forged a strategic partnership with ITC to include its B Natural Beverage as a part of the Happy Meal^TM.

“At ITC Ltd, we are committed to delivering products to consumers that are differentiated and cater to their evolving needs. With consumer led and science-based products as offerings, B Natural has been at the forefront of reinventing the fruit beverage category with the introduction of beverages that are not made from concentrate, artificial colours, and preservatives,” added Sanjay Singal, Chief Operating Officer – Dairy and Beverages, ITC Limited.

Three years back, McDonald’s launched its Good Food Journey initiative by reengineering its existing menu to make it more wholesome and nutritious. It made some significant alterations to its menu like reducing sodium content by 20% in some of its products, reducing oil content in its mayonnaise, making its patties 100% artificial preservative free, introducing the option of whole wheat buns and many more.

ITC Hotels has announced the expansion of its ‘Biryani & Pulao Collection’.

Renowned for its well-researched cuisine concepts embodying culinary excellence, ITC Hotels expands its food delivery network and brings its second ‘Cloud Kitchen by ITC Hotels’, catered by the kitchens of ITC Windsor.

“It is no doubt that biryani is the most loved dish in our country, especially when every region boasts of regional culinary delights. With the Biryani & Pulao Collection, we are expanding the choices for the residents of Bengaluru by offering an aromatic and flavourful dining experience with their loved ones right in their living rooms,” shared Manas V. Krishnamoorthy, General Manager, ITC Windsor.

United in its diversity, Biryani and Pulao have permeated every region with their universal appeal, bringing forward gems from the heritage kitchens of India. From the Malabar coasts to the kitchens of Kolkata, the Masterchefs of ITC Hotels have traversed the country to create these authentic recipes.

Crafted with utmost care and hygiene to ensure a safe dining experience, the 'Biryani and Pulao Collection by ITC Hotels' is an ode to the legendary dishes, curated for diners to enjoy.

The Biryani & Pulao Collection will be available to order for the residents of Whitefield through leading food aggregator app Swiggy.

The platform will enable ‘no contact’ deliveries on all pre-paid orders, which involves a delivery partner leaving the food at the doorstep rather than an in-person exchange.

Backed by the promise of WeAssure programme, ITC Hotels follows stringent hygiene and safety protocol for Pan-India home delivery of food to their valued guests. With heightened health and safety measures in place, the cloud kitchens are sanitized along with regular temperature checks of all chefs, associates and the food delivery partners, among other practices. Moreover, packed in environment-friendly corrugated paper boxes, the Biryani & Pulao Collection offers a safe and responsible dining experience at the comfort of home.

ITC Royal Bengal is introducing varied flavours of the ‘Northern Circars’ at Grand Market Pavilion from 8^th to 17^thJanuary 2021 under the aegis of ‘Kitchens of India’.

The Northern Circars was a former division of British India’s Madras Presidency, which consisted of a narrow slip of territory lying along the western side of the Bay of Bengal.

The food is unique because of local produce, especially the chillies. The chillies produced in this region are many and different from place to place with varied flavours and taste. Each chilli lends a different taste. Mangalagiri chilli for ‘curries’ and Pottu Mirapakai for ‘thokkus’ (pickle).

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“We are delighted to present Circar Ruchulu, the unique flavours of the Northern Circars, part of the erstwhile Madras Presidency, researched and presented by Chef Praveen Anand whose lifelong passion is to retrieve and revive lost recipes of Southern India. The local produce and the varieties of chillies of the region imparts diverse flavors to age old authentic recipes. This is a part of ITC Hotels Kitchens of India series where we showcase India’s wealth of unique, forgotten, undiscovered and regal cuisine in keeping with our ethos of Responsible Luxury,” shared Tejinder Singh, Area Manager East ITC Hotels & Cluster General Manager ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar.

Some of the menu served during the festival are cuisine at ITC Hotels with delicacies such as PESARA PUNUKULU (Crispy Moong Dal Chunks Served with Ridge gourd Chutney), KARJAM VEPUDU, (Pepper Tossed Mutton Liver) Bangala Dumpa, MASALA KOORA (Potatoes Tossed with Chilli and kopra), KakarakayaVepudu (Bitter gourd Crisps with Onion, Garlic & Chilly) and GASSALA PAYASAM (Poppy Seed Kheer) to name a few.

Ushering in the festive spirit of Diwali, ITC Hotels delightfully unveils a collection of exclusive gifting options.

Catering to the growing sentiment around weekend getaways and dining out this time of the year, the world’s greenest luxury hotel chain has introduced a range of E-Gift Card options and a selection of bespoke Diwali Hampers.

Available across the country, patrons can now avail these at ITC Windsor and ITC Gardenia as well.

The ITC Hotels’ E-Gift Card offers an exclusive getaway to authentic experiences distinguished by our quintessential warmth of service. With an array of easy and instant redemption options across luxury stays, gourmet dining, rejuvenating spa experiences and more, these secure, ‘card-less & contact less’ digital E-gift cards come with a validity of one year that can be customized as per individual needs and are available through our website -https://www.itchotels.in/gift-card.html.

“India is the world's festivity capital. We love celebrating all our festivals with joy and togetherness symbolizing the rich tradition followed through the ages. Trust is the new currency and at ITC Hotels we assure guests of a memorable experience without forsaking their safety,” Said Anil Chadha, COO, ITC Hotels.

Presenting a heartening symphony of flavours, ITC Hotels has also launched a fine-array of artisanal hampers which speak elegance and showcases scrumptious selections from our signature kitchens.

The Diwali Hamper Collection merges necessary safety practices with the warmth of festivities, each gift expressing sweet thoughtfulness and heartfelt joy that rekindles the spirit of Diwali year on year.

All options are vegetarian and are available on pre-orders only.

Offer available at ITC Windsor and ITC Gardenia as well.

“Keeping in spirit with the celebrations, we have also unveiled a bespoke Diwali hamper collection for gifting, which combines the fine array of artisanal festive delights and scrumptious selections from ITC Hotels. These festive curations have been introduced in seven varieties such as The Regal Assemblage, The Grand Curation, Signature Mithai Collection etc. and is made available at multiple locations for consumers to relish and add cheer to the festivities,” he added.

Grand Market Pavilion, the buffet restaurant at ITC Royal Bengal has always been a carnival for all generations. The at-site Kebaberie and colorful buffet counters with its pathways and live kitchen adds a touch of breeziness to the ambience, which is warm, welcoming and exciting.

The buffet has an array of local delicacies, unexplored cuisines from the North East India, dishes from Kitchens of India and signatures from the Global Galley in addition to the artisanal, the sweet and the subtle at the dessert studio, thus presenting an experience like no other.

The restaurant draws inspiration from the iconic New Market or Hogg Market of Kolkata, once a treasury of produce for the country.

Also Read: ITC Hotels expands its Responsible Dining across India, partners with Zomato

Keeping pace with international trends, the restaurant serves an immersive culinary experience, creating the ambience of a gourmet food district. It is a vibrant, bustling showcase of the finest in local, Indian and global fare.

In keeping ITC Hotels ethos of Responsible Luxury and tailored to the present times, the experience has inculcated elevated hygiene protocols, state-of-the-art technology and Savlon & other advanced disinfectants as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) across all touch points for the guests’ safety and wellbeing.

“Grand Market Pavilion offers immersive dining keeping pace with international trends, showcasing the finest in cuisines from across the globe,” shared Tejinder Singh, Area Manager East ITC Hotels & Cluster General Manager ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar.

 The WeAssure programme, a ‘Responsible Luxury’ initiative that is first of a kind in the industry, is ITC Hotels' commitment towards health, hygiene and safety, designed in collaboration with medical professionals and disinfection experts to further enhance the existing hygiene and cleaning protocols.

The following are our detailed WeAssure program guidelines for the BRUNCH AND DINNER offering:

Restaurant layouts and seating arrangements have been remodeled to maintain safe distancing. Alternate Tables with 50% seating capacity of the Restaurant will be operational

All Chefs & service associates will wear PPE (Personal Protective

Equipment) and adhere to stringent safety norms and hygiene protocols.

Service associates to always maintain a safe distance from guests

 The entire buffet is covered with a protective shield which does not expose food. The Guests will be served by the service associate through a secure opening in the shield.

 The Service Associates and WeAssure Ambassadors will conduct temperature checks and coordinate with Chefs as required maintaining safe distancing.

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Tables and chairs are duly sanitised after every use.

All tables have been de-cluttered. Common sharable items have been replaced with individually packed condiments. No common items which can be shared to be left on the table. Individual serving for condiments and sauces to be served on request. Eg. Salt, Peper, Oregano, Chili flakes, Butter, Pickle and Olive Oil.

All crockery, cutlery, glassware is sanitized.

Savlon hand sanitizers with 70% Alcohol are available for guest use.

While doing clearance from table no soiled equipment is left on the side station, but carried straight to the dishwashing.

Guests would be encouraged to settle bills through contactless payment modes, i.e., QR code scan through EDC Machine or Payment link through CC avenue.

In keeping with ITC Hotels commitment towards enhancing gourmet experiences, the chain has partnered with Zomato to offer customers responsible dining experiences in the comfort of their home.

Zomato, as an online aggregator, will not only enable ‘contactless’ deliveries on all pre-paid orders, but will also provide patrons of ITC Hotels the option of Takeaway menus via this platform.

“ITC Hotels has always showcased the finest culinary traditions through its globally acclaimed signature brands. However, in a world where change is the order of the day, it has been our endeavour to ensure our patrons continue to enjoy their favourite cuisine through an outreach dining experience in the comfort and safety of their home,’ shared Anil Chadha, COO, ITC Hotels.

The association with Zomato further strengthens ITC Hotels’ pan India distribution footprint for home delivery and takeaway. This will widen the outreach of the chain’s signature culinary offerings to thousands of customers.

ITC Hotels’ ten-year strong ethos of ‘Responsible Luxury’ underscores the chain’s culinary brands and initiatives to present innovative cuisine experiences while adhering to superior standards of food safety and hygiene. In keeping with the same, ITC Hotels has introduced 2 unique gourmet experiences, viz. ‘Gourmet Couch’ and ‘Flavours’. These initiatives have received an overwhelming feedback from diners across India and are now available on Zomato as well.

“With the growing trend of celebrations at home, we believe that ITC’s exclusive gourmet and indigenous food offerings powered by our wide on-ground delivery network will offer great food delivery options for consumers celebrating small and large occasions,” added Mohit Sardana, COO-Food Delivery, Zomato.

Zomato has implemented 8 Max Safety measures to ensure utmost safety of food. These measures include– restaurants follow WHO practices; contactless delivery; both restaurant staff and delivery partners wear masks; temperature checks and sanitization stations for both kitchen staff and delivery partners; and mandated use of AarogyaSetu app.

ITC Hotels would commence the home delivery and takeaway venture with Zomato with several properties across India. These would include ITC Maurya (New Delhi), ITC Maratha (Mumbai), ITC Grand Central (Mumbai), ITC Royal Bengal (Kolkata), ITC Grand Chola (Chennai), ITC Gardenia (Bangaluru), ITC Windsor (Bengaluru), ITC Kohenur (Hyderabad), ITC Kakatiya (Hyderabad), ITC Rajputana (Jaipur), ITC Mughal (Agra), ITC Grand Goa (Goa), Welcomhotel Chennai, WelcomhotelBengaluru, Welcomhotel Vadodara and Welcomhotel Coimbatore.

A  ten  year strong ‘Responsible Luxury’ ethos underscores ITC  Hotels  culinary  brands  and  initiatives  to  present innovative  cuisine  experiences  while  adhering to high standards of food safety  and hygiene.  Keeping this as the foremost priority, ITC Hotels has partnered with Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand delivery platform, to offer diners responsible dining experiences in the comfort of their home.

Based on harmony of fresh and seasonal selections, this responsible dining initiative brings back the taste of familiar flavours.

Swiggy will enable ‘no contact’ deliveries on all pre-paid orders, which involves a delivery partner leaving the food at the doorstep rather than an in-person exchange.

Crafted with care at ITC Hotels and handled with utmost hygiene to ensure wellbeing, the mindfully curated menus will bring unique food experiences with local offerings from the region for diners across all major cities in India.

“At ITC Hotels, we are committed to delivering  world class cuisine experiences that address  the  needs of well-being through  responsible  practices  which  are  in harmony with the environment  and  society. In  keeping  with  the  current requirements, special training programmes are conducted and precautions for personal, social, and  workplaces  are  being  explained  to  all  associates  for  awareness  and practice,” said Anil  Chadha,  COO,  ITC  Hotels  who is re-engineering the guest experiences with zero/low associate engagement (including digital ordering and e-payment solutions). “The partnership with Swiggy will assist us in responsibly delivering our unique culinary experiences using their advanced distribution network. Together we are committed to delivering a responsible guest experience,” he added.

ITC Hotels has implemented stringent measures and protocols, including mandatory temperature checks for all Chefs and Food & Beverage associates. Moreover, the special take-out counter at each ITC Hotel has been enhanced with hand sanitizers and thermometers to corroborate the health parameters of local food delivery partners.

It may be recalled that ITC Hotels had tapped into the Food & Beverage take-away model across the country recently and received an overwhelming feedback from diners for the “Flavours” takeaway  (and home delivery) dining experience.  The association with Swiggy endeavours to reach a much larger customer base.

In phase I, ITC Hotels would commence the home delivery venture with Swiggy for many of their properties across India. These would include ITC Maurya (New Delhi), ITC Royal Bengal (Kolkata), ITC Grand Chola (Chennai),  ITC Gardenia (Bengaluru),   ITC   Windsor  (Bengaluru),  ITC  Kohenur  (Hyderabad),  ITC Rajputana (Jaipur), ITC Grand Goa (Goa) and  Welcomhotel  Bengaluru.  In phase II, more ITC Hotels and Welcomhotel properties will be added to the Swiggy home delivery initiative.

Vivek Sunder, COO, Swiggy said, “At Swiggy, it is our constant endeavour to provide exceptional experiences to our customers especially from the restaurants they admire the most. Through our partnership with ITC Hotels,  customers  can   now indulge  in  curated  gourmet  dishes  from  popular restaurants  of  the ITC Hotels chain across India through the Swiggy app. We look forward to creating unique dining experiences for customers while helping them celebrate special occasions at the comfort of their homes.”

Instant foods startup The Taste Company is in talks to raise $12-15 million from a set of venture capital funds, as per a merchant banker, aware of the developments said.

“The startup, which has successfully positioned itself as the first Indian instant non-vegetarian meal producer, will dilute a minority stake of around 20%, valuing the enterprise at $60-75 million,” the merchant banker said requesting anonymity.

He said the Hyderabad-based startup aims to capture a significant share of the Rs 10,000-crore ready-to-eat food market in India, which is currently dominated by noodles and oats. Nestle, McCain Foods, MTR Foods, iD Fresh, Haldirams, ITC, Godrej Tyson, Bikanervala Foods, Gits Food Products, Venky’s India and Darshan Foods are the other key players.

The Taste Company managing director Raju Vanapala confirmed about ongoing talks but refused to name the venture capital funds. “We have turned down the interest shown by a couple of small-ticket venture capital firms given our funds requirement of $12-15 million... now continuing talks with a few large-ticket venture funds,” he said, adding that “the negotiations are now at a preliminary stage.”

Vanapala said no brand was able to address the expectations of the Indian consumers in terms of taste, health and ease of consumption pertaining to Indian instant meals, which forced the Indian consumers to compromise with non-Indian instant foods like noodles and oats.

“We are deploying traditional home-style cooking methods and we don’t use any preservatives or artificial flavours to keep the authentic taste and aroma of ‘Ghar ka Khana’,” he said. “Keeping in view the consumer needs, we have ensured a shelf life of at least six months under normal temperature for our entire range using advanced dehydration and freeze-drying technology, thanks to an extensive research.”

The Taste Company’s best five ready-to-eat non-vegetarian meals were consumer influenced across India. Over 71% of the population preferred non-vegetarian food. Ever since its onset, the Ready-to-eat industry has been a life saver for us specially now that we live in a world where our lifestyles are changing and with it our food habits. 
 

Bingo, one of the fastest-growing food brands for ITC, is now nearly Rs 2,500 crore brand by consumer spend from just little over Rs 1,000 crore in 2017.

Bingo! has more than doubled its turnover going by consumer spends while Aashirvaad, another fastest-growing food brands for ITC, has crossed Rs 4,500 crore mark.

The FMCG-to-tobacco-to-hotel giant has witnessed a gross turnover of Rs 9,670 crore from foods business. 

ITC said, “Classmate is over Rs 1,400 crore; YiPPee! is over Rs 1,100 crore while Vivel, Mangaldeep and ‘Candyman’ are over Rs 500 crores each. These world-class Indian brands support the competitiveness of domestic value chains of which they are apart, ensuring creation and retention of value within the country. Company’s FMCG brands have achieved impressive market standing in a relatively short span of time.”

“Company’s vibrant food brands such as Aashirvaad, Sunfeast, Bingo!, YiPPee! and B Natural amongst others, enable strong forward linkages for domestic agri-value chains, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and making a meaningful contribution to boost farmer earnings. Encouraged by consumer response, the company is scaling up presence in juices, chocolates, coffee and dairy in a calibrated fashion,” it further stated. 

ITC Limited has launched Sunfeast Wonderz Milk in four variants, including Milk Fruit ‘n’ Milk in two flavours (Mango and Mixed Fruit), Shakes and Nut Shakes. With this launch, the company has forayed into the rapidly-growing ready-to-drink milk-based beverage segment.

Priced at Rs 25, the Milk Fruit ‘n’ Milk variants are available in 200ml bottles. The Shakes are available in 200ml bottles at Rs 30, while the Nut Shakes are available in 200ml bottles at Rs 35.

Hemant Malik, Divisional Chief Executive, foods, ITC Ltd, said, “The launch of Sunfeast Wonderz Milk dairy beverages reflects ITC’s focus in delighting consumers with superior and differentiated food products. The ready-to-drink milk beverages market has seen high growth with a paradigm shift to healthier beverages.”

“Our investment in superior technology for manufacturing beverages, with inclusions such as fruit pieces and dry fruit, coupled with our institutional capabilities like agri sourcing, enable us to bring these high-quality, first-in-the-market offerings in the dairy beverages space,” he added.

Malik further stated, “Sunfeast Wonderz Milk has received encouraging response in the markets of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, where the brand was recently launched. We are happy to extend this new offering now to the discerning customers in Telangana.”

Bingo, ITC Foods’ salted snack brand, has signed Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as the new Brand Ambassador for its portfolio. With this association, Ranveer will now be the face of the brand on all its advertising across multiple media touchpoints. 

The company said, “The ads are sure to enthral the audience with its quirky, fun and lovable sequences featuring Ranveer with Bingo!. His quintessential quirky avatar is a perfect fit for Bingo!.”

Hemant Malik, Divisional Chief Executive (Foods Division), ITC, stated, “We are delighted to have Ranveer Singh onboard as his personality exemplifies quirkiness and originality like no other which is in absolute sync with the brand’s ethos. Ranveer Singh has elevated the excitement quotient in our new communications for Bingo! Mad Angles & Bingo! Tedhe Medhe with energy only he can bring. With this association, ITC aims to break further barriers and scale new heights in the snacking space.”

Ranveer Singh added, “It is an absolute pleasure to associate with a world-class brand like Bingo!. I have always enjoyed the innovative flavours and witty communication that Bingo! serves to its consumers. Through this association, I hope we excite to delight the consumers even more and take the success story of Bingo! to further heights and glory.”

Nestle India, today listed among the top suppliers of food and beverage products for people affected by heavy rains in Chennai.

Among other products, Nestle has also supplied the 'two-minute' Maggi noodles to the Tamil Nadu government towards the relief operations, reported PTI.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister for Food Processing Industries said that the industry should ensure that there is no shortage of milk, packaged food articles and bottled water for the people of Chennai.

"It is time to stand up and make exemplary contribution for the flood affected people of Chennai who have been patronizing food brands and products manufactured by the industry," she added.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries said it is coordinating with all food processing companies for supply of packaged milk, packaged food and bottled water and also listed out names of eight companies who have made available supplies of food and beverage products to the Tamil Nadu government at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

The list of seven such companies included Nestle India on the top with supplies of 10 MT of noodles, 5000 litres of tetra packed milk and 50000 pouches of coffee.

"Further additional quantity approximately 25-30 MT of noodles, about 8 MT Munch and Sunrise Biscuits 800 Kgs is also being supplied," said the Ministry in a statement.

In addition, ITC has supplied six truckloads consisting of 3163 boxes of biscuits. MTR has supplied about 14128 ready-to-eat food packets and another quantity of 35000 ready-to-eat food packets will be delivered by Monday.

Britannia has supplied three truckload of 345 boxes of biscuits today and two truckloads of food items. They have also been requested to supply additional quantity of milk produce and some bread.

Coca Cola India has supplied ready with 50000 one litre water bottles, while Pepisco has supplied 12000 one litre water bottles and arranging transport to supply.

Parle is arranging to send three truckload of Parle biscuits, it added.