Rohan Mangalorkar is a Bombay-based hospitality entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the food and beverage industry. He is the founder of Whoa Mama Hospitality, the company behind beloved brands like Pack-a-Pav, Rocketman Pizza, The Big Zest Catering & Events, and most recently, Gaijin—a restaurant that tells the story of an outsider looking in, capturing the essence of Japanese cuisine through a fresh, unconventional lens. Each of these ventures is rooted in his belief in honest food, thoughtful storytelling, and creating spaces that feel genuine.
In 2014, Rohan shifted his focus to food, launching Pack-a-Pav, a brand that elevated the humble Bombay pav with inventive fillings and late-night appeal. It was an instant hit and laid the foundation for his work in hospitality. During the pandemic in 2020, a collaboration with Anand Morwani over weekend Rann Biryani deliveries sparked a full-fledged partnership, leading to the launch of Rocketman Pizza, one of the first brands in India to serve Detroit-style square pies. They followed this up with The Big Zest, a catering company that creates personalised food and hosting experiences for everything from intimate dinners to large celebrations. His favourite places around the world like The Palomar and Hawksmoor in London, or Hartwood in Tulum—have influenced his approach to hospitality: rooted in culture, but not bound by convention. Whether it’s through the joy of sports, discovering new places, or sipping a good tequila, Rohan finds inspiration in people and places that bring something unexpected to the table. While balance between personal and professional life remains a work in progress, the drive to build meaningful brands for the city of Bombay keeps him going. His long-term vision is simple: to create restaurants and experiences that feel timeless, add value to their surroundings, and make people feel at home—even when they’re out.
RI PASS