It’s easier to set up an arms factory than to sell a sandwich or a drink. This reflects the hidden complexity the restaurant world possesses.

As Indians, we are culturally inclined to want options when it comes to our food, we go to multicuisine restaurants with our families, cafés with our work friends, fine dining for our dates, and pubs with our friends! We judge the temperature, the music, the food, the service, the cutlery, and everything in between. This involves not only recipe building but also mastering technology, marketing, interior design, and much more.

With this episode, we will walk you through a checklist of crucial decisions to start and thrive in this space. We have with us Riyaaz Amlani, best known for his brands like SOCIAL, Smoke House Deli, and Boss Burgers; Zorawar Kalra, famous for his appearances on Masterchef and his brands like Farzi Cafe, Masala Library, and Pa Pa Ya; Pooja Dhingra, renowned for Le15, known for their macaroon; currently a judge in Masterchef India and an author.

If you’re below 22 and are working on building something in the F&B space, here’s the chance to get the support you’ve been looking for

➡️Apply here: https://tally.so/r/mBp7LN


#NikhilKamath: Co-founder of Zerodha, True Beacon and Gruhas
Follow Nikhil here:
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Koo https://www.kooapp.com/profile/Nikhilkamath

#ZorawarKalra: Founder & MD - Massive Restaurants; TV Show Host, and MasterChef India Judge
Follow Zorawar here:
Twitter https://twitter.com/ZorawarKalra
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zkalra/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/zorawar-kalra-2051375/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zkalra/

#RiyaazAmlani: Founder & CEO - Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
Follow Riyaaz here:
Twitter https://twitter.com/RiyaazAmlani
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/riyaazamlani/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/riyaaz-amlani-52193b1/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RiyaazAmlaniOfficial/

#PoojaDhingra: Founder & CEO of Le15 Patisserie, MasterChef India Judge, and Author
Follow Pooja here:
Twitter https://twitter.com/poojadhingraa/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poojadhingra/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/poojadhingraa/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChefPoojaDhingra/
Pooja’s Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@poojajdhingra/

#FoodServices #Chef #Cooking #Restaurants #Cafes #Lounges #QSR #Business #Startups #Funding #Entrepreneurship #WTFiswithNikhilKamath #WTFisPodcast

00:00 - Intro
01:39 - Pooja's Childhood
04:11 - Why Pooja Quit Law School
08:09 - Early Hustle to Macaroon Fame
15:47 - Pooja’s World: Books, Masterchef, & Podcasts
16:53 - How Covid Changed Pooja
17:58 - Reason for Scarcity of Female Chefs
22:36 - Zorawar's Passion for Food
24:05 - Father-Son Dynamics: Jiggs Kalra's Legacy
36:58 - Zorawar's Personal life
38:09 - Riyaaz’s Karate-filled Childhood
39:50 - Regulations & Restaurants: Bottleneck
44:05 - Riyaaz's Personal Life and Parsi History
48:04 - Riyaaz & Music: DJ Days
49:35 - Story of Berry’s & Riyaaz's Upbringing
52:13 - Riyaaz Reveals Prithvi Cafe’s History
56:32 - Innovative Monetisation: Restaurant Hacks
01:01:12 - Role of Restaurants: The Bigger Picture
01:02:10 - Why Most Restaurants Fail
01:07:05 - India's Increasing Dine-Out Trend
01:08:32 - Premiumisation & Its Success
01:10:30 - SOCIAL's Product-Market Fit
01:11:30 - Ease of Credit & Cloud Kitchens
01:13:10 - Upsurge in Western Cuisine: Economics
01:16:20 - Using Data: Location & City Selection
01:21:25 - Real Estate & Rentals Dynamics
01:25:20 - Scaling Up & Valuation in Restaurants
01:28:48 - Evolution of Dessert Market: Trends
01:33:27 - QSR & India’s Consumption Future
01:34:50 - Riyaaz's Take on Cost of Goods
01:36:49 - Social Media & Marketing: Game Changers
01:40:23 - Nikhil's Investing Checklist & Food Culture
01:46:13 - Opportunity in Organised Space
01:57:20 - Premiumization Potential in Indian Market
02:00:45 - Why Celebrity Restaurants Fail
02:06:18 - Aggregator Dynamics: Commissions
02:13:30 - Aggregators and Restaurants
02:15:54 - Delivery Alternatives & Negotiations
02:18:42 - Delivery Cost Analysis & ONDC
02:22:05 - Cloud Kitchens: Do They Work?
02:23:33 - Cuisine Selection: Untold Hacks
02:27:50 - Cracking Supply Chain & Location
02:34:40 - Importance of Accounting: ERP & Software
02:40:00 - Art & Science of Menus
02:46:23 - AI & Tech in Food Biz
02:48:33 - Interior Design: How to Do It Right?
02:53:27 - Virality & UGC
02:56:50 - Supremacy of “Word of Mouth”
02:29:30 - Navigating Chef Relationships
03:02:35 - Hiring & Staff Retention
03:11:00 - Seasonal Shifts & Festivals’ Impact
03:16:20 - WTF Fund: 2nd Edition
03:19:40 - Blind Taste Game: Test the Experts!
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