Exploring Culinary Trends and Tackling Hurdles with MasterChef Ranveer Brar

Indian Chamber of Commerce organised a special interaction with Celebrity MasterChef Ranveer Brar during the “India Luxe Lifestyle Forum,” a Gateway to the Eastern Luxury Market on Wednesday, 4th September 2024 in Kolkata. The event aimed to explore and elevate the culinary space, discussing hurdles to succeed within the space and shedding light of ongoing trends. The event was further enriched by the presence of Mr. Sagar Daryani, Co-founder, WOW Momo and Mr. Rohit Surana, Ex Co-chair ICC Retail Committee & Former Partner, Tejas Spire LLP.

Iterating on the emerging culinary trends, Celebrity Master Chef Ranveer Brar explained, “Food businesses need to understand that the product is useless without the correct market, where it fits. The product is only 20% of the game. The rest is about finding the right market, which means identifying where to place the product, who the customer is, and whether there’s a sizable market for it. The second key point is understanding what form the consumer wants the product in. A common mistake made by food businesses is believing they have the best product simply because they use top-quality ingredients. However, even the best product is useless without the right market fit. As a chef who is typically focused on the product, I can tell you that selling is about much more. Everything—product, price, promotion—must align with the market. The consumer is king and even a chef must acknowledge that. Whatever cost or quality is offered becomes redundant if the customer doesn’t want it. I always tell my chefs that sustainability is key to business survival in the food sector. For example, if we’re selling lentils for 100 dirhams and can’t make it for 60 dirhams ensuring quality, business won’t flourish. The food business is also driven by value, not just by selling ingredients. You can’t measure stories, connections, passion or emotions, yet these are the very elements that build a successful food business. It’s these intangible aspects that add value and sets our industry apart. The world often views India as a singular concept, overlooking its rich diversity. While it’s important to present a unified idea of India, this vision must be inclusive of the many forms of cuisines that exist. Historically, what we’ve showcased as Indian cuisine has lacked this inclusivity. Moving forward, the future of Indian cuisine lies in a representation that is both unified and reflective of India’s diverse culinary heritage.”

Commenting on the tacking hurdles within the food business, Master Chef Ranveer Brar said, “The food business isn’t like the stock market; you can’t hedge your bets. The start-stop mechanism isn’t fundamentally beneficial for the food business. Either you go all in or don’t go at all. You might face failures—I’ve closed more restaurants than I care to admit—but it’s all part of the journey. The industry is full of challenges, from spoilage to wastage, but it’s these challenges that make it worthwhile. It’s a passion-driven and belief-driven business. Success in this field requires unwavering determination and a deep-seated belief in your mission. You cannot falter in your conviction even when no one believes in you. You have to believe what you’re doing is right and have the potential to continue. If you’re ready to embrace that, then welcome to the world of food.”