Restaurant India News: Bengaluru’s Crackle Kitchen Debuts Fire-Led Feast with The Sunday Pitmaster

Crackle Kitchen, Bengaluru’s hub for experimental dining, is introducing a new culinary property titled The Sunday Pitmaster — a fire-focused dining series celebrating the traditional art of slow roasting. The debut edition, featuring an exclusive menu called 11 Shades of Smoke, will take place on Sunday, 31 August from 12 PM onwards, in collaboration with Chef Karthik Shanker.

Chef Karthik, known for his produce-driven philosophy and expertise in butchery, grilling, fermentation, and sauces, brings a unique approach to the concept. With a background in microbiology and chemistry, and classical training at Le Cordon Bleu, Sydney, he combines science and culinary craft to highlight ingredients at their best. His philosophy aligns with Crackle’s produce-first ethos.

Chef Vivek Salunkhe, Founder and Chef, Crackle Kitchen, said, “The Sunday Pitmaster is me at my happiest, surrounded by meat, smoke and just enough danger to keep it fun. Food for me is all about memory and emotion, but nothing bonds people faster than fire and a slab of perfectly cooked meat. Karthik and I are turning Sundays into a smoky, juicy, slightly unhinged food party, and everyone is invited.”

The menu for this edition, 11 Shades of Smoke, is an eleven-course tasting designed to showcase the versatility of fire in cooking. Dishes range from charred vegetables with natural sweetness to smoked cuts layered with depth and complexity. With both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, the menu is built to be inclusive while maintaining a strong focus on flavour and craft.

Chef Karthik Shanker added, “Working with Crackle on The Sunday Pitmaster has been an incredibly exciting process. It’s allowed us to explore how science, fire, and flavour can come together in unexpected ways. Our vision was to create a feast where curiosity meets craft — a dining experience that feels primal yet refined, familiar yet daring. I cannot wait to see our ideas come alive at the table.”

The event will be limited to only 16 seats per sitting, making it one of the city’s most exclusive dining experiences. Four sittings are scheduled for the day: 12 PM to 2 PM, 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM, 7 PM to 9 PM, and 9.15 PM to 11.30 PM. If well received, The Sunday Pitmaster could evolve into a regular weekly feature at Crackle.