Neuma Hosts Levantine Pop-Up with Chef Mohib Farooqui

Neuma Hosts Levantine Pop-Up with Chef Mohib Farooqui

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 22, 2024

Neuma, a modern European restaurant in Mumbai, is hosting a special two-day pop-up event, titled “What’s Poppin with Chef Mohib Farooqui.” Scheduled for September 20th and 21st, this event promises to present an exciting twist on Levantine cuisine, with a creative flair that moves beyond the traditional hummus and kebabs.

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Guests will experience bold flavors that blend Levantine culinary traditions from regions like Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan with global cooking techniques. 

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Chef Mohib Farooqui, who will helm the pop-up, brings over 12 years of international experience. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Sydney, Chef Mohib has worked alongside Michelin-starred chefs and led kitchens in countries such as Australia, Denmark, and India. His previous work includes stints at prominent restaurants like Urbane and Restaurant Relae, as well as crafting a Michelin-starred menu for Inddee in Bangkok. With this pop-up, Chef Mohib aims to introduce Mumbai’s diners to a fresh interpretation of Levantine dishes, merging history and innovation on every plate.

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The event, organized in collaboration with the Zomato Dining Experience, will take guests on a culinary journey across the Levant while incorporating unexpected elements. The menu reflects Chef Mohib’s ability to play with classic flavors in unique ways. Guests can expect dishes such as cucumber paired with liquid vegetables, pumpkin infused with habanero, and Australian lamb enhanced with traditional Levantine baharat spices.

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Vegetarians are also in for a treat, with options like soybeans served with sesame and pomegranate, and a vibrant bell pepper and feta salad. To round off the meal, a dessert of Medjool dates and key lime is set to provide a sweet finish.

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“This pop-up is my way of sharing the soul of Levantine cuisine with Mumbai’s vibrant food scene,” says Chef Mohib Farooqui. “Each dish tells a story—of history, culture, and flavor—and I can’t wait for guests to experience our innovation through every bite.”

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Neuma, located in a beautifully restored colonial-era bungalow in Colaba, is co-founded by filmmaker Karan Johar, Bunty Sajdeh, and True Palate Café Pvt. Ltd. The restaurant has become a landmark in South Mumbai, offering a blend of stylish yet relaxed fine dining. With Chef Mohib’s Levantine pop-up, Neuma continues to push boundaries in the city’s culinary scene.

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Haldiram's Expands Punjab Presence with New Store Launch in Gurdaspur

Haldiram's Expands Punjab Presence with New Store Launch in Gurdaspur

By Hariharan U

Published on July 24, 2026

Haldiram's has strengthened its presence in Punjab with the launch of a new retail and dining outlet in Gurdaspur, further expanding its growing network across North India. Located at West Ville, Pathankot Bypass, Amritsar Highway, Dinanagar, the new store offers customers a comprehensive food and retail experience under one roof.

The newly opened outlet combines dine-in facilities with Haldiram's extensive portfolio of sweets, snacks, bakery products, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and packaged food offerings. Designed as a convenient destination for both local residents and travellers, the store reflects the brand's continued focus on enhancing accessibility across key regional markets.

Guests can enjoy a diverse dining menu featuring North Indian and South Indian cuisine, chaats, traditional Indian sweets, bakery products, and popular street food favourites. The restaurant has been developed to provide a contemporary yet comfortable dining experience while maintaining the authentic flavours associated with the Haldiram's brand.

Beyond the dine-in experience, the outlet also houses Haldiram's complete retail range, including its signature namkeens, frozen foods, ready-to-eat products, beverages, and curated gifting options, enabling customers to enjoy the brand's products both at home and on the go.

The opening of the Gurdaspur outlet reinforces Haldiram's strategy of expanding into emerging regional markets while making its diverse culinary offerings more accessible to consumers across the country. The company continues to strengthen its national retail footprint by combining restaurant experiences with comprehensive food retail under a single destination.


NV Group Launches Stainley Gold Whisky and Blue Moon Minty Jamun Vodka, Expands Premium Spirits Portfolio

NV Group Launches Stainley Gold Whisky and Blue Moon Minty Jamun Vodka, Expands Premium Spirits Portfolio

By Hariharan U

Published on July 24, 2026

NV Group has announced the launch of two new products Stainley Gold, a premium blended Indian whisky, and Blue Moon Minty Jamun, a flavoured vodka as the company strengthens its presence in India's rapidly growing premium spirits market.

The launches mark NV Group's entry into two highly competitive spirits categories, targeting aspirational whisky consumers and younger adults seeking flavour-led drinking experiences. Initially introduced in Delhi, both brands will be rolled out across Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, Goa, and Maharashtra, with the company aiming to establish a presence in at least 10 states by FY2026–27.

According to the company, India's premium spirits segment continues to witness strong momentum, driven by rising consumer preference for premium products and increasing demand from Tier-II cities. Whisky remains the country's largest spirits category, while flavoured vodka is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments.

Stainley Gold is a premium blended Indian whisky crafted using matured imported Scotch malts blended with Indian grain spirit. Bottled at 42.8% ABV, the whisky offers notes of soft oak, vanilla, and dried fruit. In Delhi, it is priced at ₹700 for a 750 ml bottle and will also be available in 375 ml, 180 ml, 90 ml, and 60 ml pack sizes.

Blue Moon Minty Jamun is a rice-based flavoured vodka distilled three times and bottled at 37.5% ABV. Featuring a jamun-forward flavour profile balanced with a light mint finish, the vodka is designed for cocktails, highballs, and shots. It is priced at ₹600 for a 750 ml bottle in Delhi and will also be offered in 375 ml and 180 ml variants.

Both products are manufactured at NV Distilleries & Breweries Pvt. Ltd. in Rajpura, Punjab, under the supervision of Ramesh Gaudo, Senior Vice President – Blending & Bottling, NV Group.

Commenting on the launch, Varun Jain, CEO & Founder of Smoke Lab, NV Group, said the Indian spirits market is evolving rapidly as consumers increasingly seek products that combine quality, authenticity, and distinctive flavour profiles. He added that Stainley Gold and Blue Moon Minty Jamun have been developed to meet these changing preferences while strengthening the company's presence across key spirits categories.

The launches further reinforce NV Group's strategy to expand its Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) portfolio across whisky and flavoured vodka. Over the next two years, the company plans to accelerate its state-by-state expansion while focusing on flavour-led innovation and premium positioning across India's evolving spirits market.

Founded by Ashok Jain, NV Group is an integrated alcobev company with operations spanning vodka, gin, whisky, rum, brandy, and beer. Through brands such as Smoke Lab and Mohulo, the company continues to expand its presence in both domestic and international markets while promoting contemporary Indian spirits.


AUM Premium to Launch Paper-Based Bottles by Year-End, Expands Sustainability Push

AUM Premium to Launch Paper-Based Bottles by Year-End, Expands Sustainability Push

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 24, 2026

AUM Premium, India's affirmation-led natural Himalayan spring water brand, is set to introduce paper-based bottles by the end of this year as part of its growing focus on sustainable packaging. The new concept is aimed at reducing the use of plastic while maintaining the premium quality and safety of the water.

The proposed packaging will use responsibly sourced paper combined with a food-grade barrier to minimise the use of conventional plastic without affecting the product's integrity. Its lightweight design is also expected to improve transportation efficiency and reduce the overall environmental impact associated with packaging and distribution.

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Through this initiative, AUM Premium is looking to develop packaging solutions that balance functionality, convenience and environmental responsibility while continuing to offer consumers a premium hydration experience.

As part of its wider sustainability efforts, the brand has also partnered with Scrapbuddy, a Delhi-based waste management and recycling startup. The collaboration will provide customers with an easy recycling programme for used bottles, encouraging responsible disposal of packaging waste and supporting the development of a more circular packaging ecosystem.

Commenting on the initiative, Jagriti Motwani, Founder & CEO, AUM Premium, said:

"Water is a product people consume every day, but the conversation around it has largely remained limited to purity and price. Packaging deserves equal attention. Our objective is to reduce unnecessary plastic wherever possible without compromising product quality. The paper-based bottle is one step in that direction, and we will continue exploring better alternatives as the technology evolves."

While conventional plastic remains the industry standard for bottled water, AUM Premium has chosen to explore more sustainable alternatives. Built around its philosophy of Affirm, Uplift and Manifest, the brand believes that delivering a premium product extends beyond the quality of the water to every aspect of the consumer experience.

Looking ahead, AUM Premium plans to continue reimagining its packaging approach as it enters its next phase of growth. With the planned introduction of 100% plastic-free bottles, the brand aims to take another meaningful step towards responsible packaging while preserving the premium experience it is known for.

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