Chef Joel Basumatari’s "Seven Spices Up North" Pop-Up Takes Over Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai

Chef Joel Basumatari’s "Seven Spices Up North" Pop-Up Takes Over Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai

By Shreenidhi Jagannathan

Published on June 18, 2024

The Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, in partnership with Gormei, renowned for curating exceptional culinary experiences, proudly presents "Seven Spices Up North"—a unique dining adventure curated by acclaimed Chef Joel Basumatari. Ranked #27 on India's Top 30 Chefs list by Culinary Culture, Chef Joel will showcase the vibrant flavors of Naga cuisine at the Momo Cafe from June 14th to June 23rd, 2024.

Victor Chen, General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, expressed his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to welcome Chef Basumatari. His expertise in Naga cuisine offers a unique opportunity for our diners to explore bold and beautiful flavors. At Courtyard by Marriott, we strive to curate unforgettable experiences, and the 'Seven Spices Up North' pop-up promises to be a culinary adventure for all."

image

Chef Basumatari's specially curated menu highlights the versatility and health benefits of Naga cuisine. Diners can look forward to a variety of dishes, including steaming hot pots, live cooking stations, flavorful soups, appetizers, and mains. Each meal can be completed with fluffy rice, decadent desserts, and a variety of condiments to enhance the dining experience. Signature dishes include:

  • Dohneiiong: A traditional dish from Meghalaya featuring tender pork cooked with black sesame paste and aromatic spices.
  • Masor Bor: A delightful fish dumpling soup made with ground fish paste, herbs, and spices, offering a burst of flavors with every spoonful.
  • Millet Cannoli: A fusion dessert that combines the Italian cannoli with millet for a unique and delicious treat.
  • Masor Tenga: A tangy fish curry from Assam made with souring agents like tomatoes, lemon, or dried kokum, giving it a refreshing and zesty flavor profile.
  • Oma Bedor Saonia: A traditional Naga dish featuring smoked pork cooked with fermented bamboo shoots and fiery Naga chili peppers, resulting in a smoky, spicy, and aromatic curry.
  • Kenie Thevü Gacha: A comforting rice porridge from Nagaland made with locally-grown sticky rice and served with various toppings such as boiled eggs, vegetables, and pickles.

image

image

Chef Basumatari aims to introduce diners to the unique ingredients and intriguing flavor profiles of Naga cuisine. "Naga cuisine is a hidden gem, celebrating fresh, local produce and traditional cooking methods," he said. "My menu for 'Seven Spices Up North' is a vibrant exploration of these elements. I want diners to experience the warmth and hospitality integral to Naga culture through food. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or curious to try something new, this pop-up at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai will be an unforgettable culinary adventure."

Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to experience the magic of Naga cuisine at MoMo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport.

Venue: MoMo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, Lobby Level, CTS 215, Opposite Carnival Cinemas, Andheri Kurla Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059

Dates: June 14th to June 23rd, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Price: INR 2375++

For reservations and more information, visit the Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport website.


The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

Ahmedabad’s homegrown vegetarian restaurant chain, The House of Makeba, is preparing for a significant leap beyond Gujarat. Founded in 2018, this bootstrapped startup—known for its north Indian and global cuisines—has already crossed Rs 125 crore in cumulative revenue, scaling from Rs 1.2 crore in FY 2018-19 to an estimated Rs 24 crore in FY 2024-25, all without external funding.

“With every outlet and milestone built organically through belief, discipline, and reinvestment, we’ve focused on profitability over chasing valuations. We’re proud to have scaled sustainably in a fiercely competitive market,” said Ram Singhal, co-founder, The House of Makeba.

Today, the brand operates seven outlets across Gujarat, serving over 12 lakh diners, with nearly one in three being repeat customers. Its distinctive rooftop dining concept and regional-first strategy have helped it carve a niche in India’s crowded vegetarian F&B space.

image

The House of Makeba follows a hybrid model, blending company-owned flagship locations with carefully chosen franchise partnerships in cities like Gandhinagar, Vadodara, and Anand. This scalable approach is now set to drive its national rollout, with plans to enter five new states by 2026, targeting markets such as Indore, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, and Pune.

To power this growth, the company plans to invest Rs 45 crore by 2028, potentially scaling to Rs 60 crore by 2030. It aims to have 20 outlets operational by 2028 and 25 by 2030, emerging as a premium, homegrown alternative to legacy vegetarian dining giants.


L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

L’Opera has unveiled its latest culinary gem—Le Cafe at The Chanakya, New Delhi—marking a refined new chapter in the brand’s journey. Nestled within Le Gourmet, Le Cafe is a thoughtfully crafted space that blends the everyday charm of Parisian cafes with the luxury shopping destination’s elegance, inviting guests to pause, savour, and enjoy an elevated French dining experience.

Rooted in L’Opera’s hallmark dedication to authenticity and craft, Le Cafe adds a fresh layer of warmth and versatility to the brand’s expanding portfolio. It captures the quiet joys of French living—from the scent of freshly baked baguettes to the delicate flakiness of croissants—transforming each visit into a sensory retreat.

Speaking on the launch, Laurent Samandari, Founder & Managing Director of L’Opera, shared, “With Le Cafe, we wanted to create a space where every detail from the aroma of fresh bread to the last spoon of risotto reminds you of the quiet pleasures of French living. It’s our way of bringing a little Paris to your daily life.”

The new cafe is anchored by four elegantly designed counters, each offering a distinct experience:

  • The Pastry & Bread Counter, showcasing signature L’Opera delicacies.

  • A Live Kitchen for freshly prepared classics.

  • A Salad & Sandwich Bar blending fresh flavours.

  • An Artisanal Pasta Counter celebrating European culinary traditions.

The menu itself is a sophisticated balance of comfort and creativity, carefully curated to suit every mood and moment. True to L’Opera’s ethos, there’s an emphasis on premium ingredients, mindful preparation, and catering to diverse dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and protein-rich options—often featuring fresh, organic, and locally sourced produce.

Whether shoppers stop by for a quick pastry or linger over a leisurely meal, Le Cafe seamlessly adapts, offering both refined takeaways and leisurely sit-down experiences. With this launch, L’Opera continues to infuse Delhi’s culinary landscape with authentic French finesse, turning everyday moments into delightful rituals.


FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

India’s dessert scene just got a major upgrade as FES Cafe, the country’s first scalable 100% eggless, dessert-first cafe chain, raised Rs 3 crores in a seed round led by serial entrepreneur Aakash Anand and his venture studio, Wolfpack Labs. Known for backing breakout consumer brands, Wolfpack’s involvement brings not just capital but deep strategic support across innovation, franchising, operations, and brand-building.

image

image

With this backing, FES is gearing up for its next phase of aggressive expansion, beginning with its Delhi debut this July, followed by a second outlet in Gurgaon and a Jaipur launch by year-end. The brand plans to scale to over 100 outlets across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities by FY 2027 through a hybrid COCO and FICO model, along with delivery-first hubs and packaged dessert formats to broaden its footprint. Since its inception, FES has carved a niche with its gooey cookies, whipped puddings, alt-ingredient cakes, and seasonal desserts served in vibrant, Gen Z- and Millennial-friendly third spaces. 

image

image

Signature experiences like Coffee Raves and limited-edition menus keep their ever-growing community hooked. In just four months, FES achieved EBITDA-positive status at the company level, saw a 347% spike in delivery revenue, and recorded over 10,000 monthly orders as of June 2025.

image

“FES was born out of one belief: desserts deserve better,” says Vidur Mayor, Founder & CEO of FES Cafe.

“With Wolfpack’s backing, we’re building not just a cafe chain, but a national movement powered by community and creativity.” Aakash Anand added, “FES has all the right ingredients—buzz, brand love, business smarts, and a founder with the hustle to go big.”

With a vision that blends indulgence and inclusivity, FES is well on its way to becoming India’s Central Perk of desserts—personal, powerful, and primed for scale.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.