Secret Ingredient to Spearhead Nationwide Expansion of Pekoe Café

Secret Ingredient to Spearhead Nationwide Expansion of Pekoe Café

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 11, 2025

Leading Food Consultancy Firm Partners with Dalmia Gold Tea Group to Bring a Unique Tea Experience to Indian Cities

Secret Ingredient, India’s top food consulting firm specializing in restaurant and hospitality solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Dalmia Gold Tea Group to expand Pekoe Café across India. This collaboration aims to bring Pekoe’s distinctive tea-drinking experience to cities nationwide, building on its current success in Patna and Siliguri.

A Unique Tea Concept Expanding Across India

Secret Ingredient will lead the expansion, ensuring brand consistency while adapting to local preferences. Pekoe Café redefines India’s chai tapri culture by blending traditional flavors with a refined and contemporary setting. The café offers a diverse menu of Indian snacks that pair perfectly with its signature teas, all within a quirky, inviting ambiance.

Nikita Dalmia, Co-Founder of Pekoe Café, shared her vision:
"Pekoe is a vibrant celebration of India’s love for chai tapri and street food, reimagined with sophistication. Our mission is to popularize Indian tea culture alongside high-quality teas from the House of Dalmia Gold. We wanted a partner who understands this unique proposition while enhancing our brand value, and Secret Ingredient is the perfect fit to take our concept across India."

The Role of Secret Ingredient in the Expansion

Secret Ingredient’s expertise in restaurant concept development, market analysis, and operational strategy will be instrumental in Pekoe’s nationwide growth. The firm has mapped out a phased rollout over the next year, targeting key cities to ensure success.

Kula Naidu, Director of Secret Ingredient, emphasized their approach:

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"We are excited to bring the Pekoe Café experience to more cities. Our team will work diligently to preserve the brand’s essence while tailoring each location to resonate with local tastes and cultures."

Sid Mathur, Director at Secret Ingredient, added:

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"Pekoe has already won the hearts of tea enthusiasts in Patna and Siliguri. As we expand, we remain committed to delivering an elevated and seamless experience that delights customers across India."

Expansion Strategy & Future Plans

The expansion strategy focuses on:

  • Market Research & Location Selection – Identifying prime locations with high footfall
  • Interior Design & Ambience – Maintaining the quirky and inviting Pekoe brand aesthetic
  • Menu Development – Adapting offerings to local flavors while preserving Pekoe’s signature selections
  • Staff Training Programs – Ensuring high service standards across all new outlets

Pekoe Café: A Tea Lover’s Haven

Founded by Dalmia Gold Tea, Pekoe Café offers an affordable yet high-quality tea and snacking experience. Operating from 9 AM to 10 PM daily, it serves a wide range of tea varieties alongside signature dishes such as:

  • Kullhad Pizza
  • Authentic Mumbai Vada Pav
  • Darjeeling Momos
  • “Gud Wali Chai” – a favorite among patrons

For more details, visit: https://pekoebydg.in/

About Secret Ingredient

Secret Ingredient is a leading consulting firm for the restaurant and hospitality industry, specializing in concept creation, strategy, and operational excellence. Notable projects include The Khyber at Gulmarg, Kaansa at Crowne Plaza Gurgaon, Lyrah at Trident Gurgaon, and Koyo Koyo at Hyatt Centric Chandigarh. The firm has also advised brands like Swiggy, Anardana, and Olive Group.

For more details, visit: https://secretingredient.co.in/

About Dalmia Gold Tea Group

Dalmia Gold Tea Group is a renowned tea brand, especially popular in Bihar and Jharkhand for over 25 years. Its venture into the café industry with Pekoe showcases its dedication to innovation and quality in the Indian tea market.

For more details, visit: https://dalmiagold.com/


SGF India Grows Stronger in Delhi-NCR with Three New Outlets

SGF India Grows Stronger in Delhi-NCR with Three New Outlets

By Hariharan U

Published on August 2, 2025

In a big step forward for its expansion, Spice Grill Flame (SGF) India has opened three new outlets in the Delhi-NCR region specifically in Greenfield (Faridabad), Bakhtawarpur, and Ramesh Nagar. Known for its spicy and flavour-packed vegetarian menu, SGF continues to strengthen its roots while gearing up for broader national and international presence.

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The brand, which kicked off in 2012 with just a single outlet in Delhi’s Ashok Vihar, was launched by Kewal Ahuja with a modest investment of ₹3 lakhs. Fast forward to today, and SGF proudly operates over 75 outlets across more than 20 Indian cities. These locations are strategically chosen on high-street spots to maximise visibility and customer access.

“From a single outlet in Ashok Vihar to now serving across 20 cities, SGF has always believed in scaling with purpose”, shared Kewal Ahuja, Founder of SGF India. “Our business model is built on three core principles: quality, customer service, and brand consistency, which continue to guide every expansion and innovation.”

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Looking ahead, SGF is planning to double its number of outlets within the coming year. The roadmap also includes stepping into global markets with a brand-new range of packaged food items. With a projected turnover of ₹23–24 crores for FY25, the company is aiming for a steady 10% growth this fiscal year.

One of SGF’s strongest appeals lies in its focus on vegetarian and vegan options—flavourful, fiery dishes that reflect the preferences of the modern Indian diner. The brand’s smooth franchise model and dependable quality make it a go-to name not just for customers, but for food entrepreneurs as well.


SnackPure Launches 5 Guilt-Free Chips to Redefine Snacking

SnackPure Launches 5 Guilt-Free Chips to Redefine Snacking

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 2, 2025

Nibblers, rejoice! SnackPure by Zuari International is giving snack time a makeover with the launch of five new guilt-free chip variants: Makhana Chips, Black Chana Chips, Mix Veg Chips, Corn Tikka Chips, and Brown Rice Chips. These exciting additions to the brand’s healthy snacking line bring flavour-packed indulgence without the guilt.

Known for redefining snacking with its nutritious and clean-label approach, SnackPure has created a crunchy, chatpata revolution that blends Indian street food charm with global flair. From the nostalgic warmth of Mix Veg Chips in Desi Masala to the spicy kick of Corn Tikka Chips with Peri Peri seasoning, this lineup is built to satisfy snack cravings for every mood and moment.

“We believe snacking should be fun, flavorful, and good for you. This new range reflects our commitment to bringing innovative, health-conscious options to today’s consumers without compromising on taste,” said Surjya Meher, COO of Zuari International. “Each product is inspired by both Indian street food and international trends to create something truly exciting for mindful snackers.”

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The Cream & Onion Makhana Chips offer a light yet satisfying crunch, ideal for social settings, while Black Chana Chips pack in protein-rich goodness with a tangy twist. With this launch, SnackPure has gone beyond traditional options to offer snacks that are rich in nutrients and free from artificial additives.

All five chip variants are affordably priced and available now on Amazon, Flipkart, and SnackPure’s official website.

With the rise in health-conscious eating, SnackPure is helping transform snacking into a mindful habit. The brand continues to innovate with superfoods like makhana, nutrient-rich legumes, and vegetables, delivering flavour without the guilt.

About Zuari International Limited:

Zuari International, the food arm of Zuari Industries Limited, was founded in 1995 under the vision of the late Dr. K.K. Birla. Known for delivering purity and quality through premium pantry staples, its contemporary brand SnackPure is designed for modern lifestyles, focusing on guilt-free, flavour-forward snacks. Through general trade, e-commerce, and quick commerce platforms, the company remains committed to making everyday eating better across Indian households.


DeVANS GianChand Manshaa Wins Big at ISW Germany, Crowned "International Whisky of the Year 2025"

DeVANS GianChand Manshaa Wins Big at ISW Germany, Crowned "International Whisky of the Year 2025"

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 1, 2025

In a landmark win for Indian spirits, DeVANS GianChand Manshaa has been crowned "International Whisky of the Year 2025" at the renowned Meininger’s International Spirits Award (ISW) held in Germany. The peated single malt not only secured the prestigious Grand Gold but also emerged as the top international whisky, outshining legendary competitors from whisky powerhouses like Scotland, Ireland, and the USA.

Out of 450 global spirit entries, only 11 earned the coveted Grand Gold, DeVANS GianChand Manshaa being the only Indian whisky to achieve this. This dual honour reflects the growing sophistication and recognition of Indian whiskies on a global platform.

The latest expression from DeVANS, GianChand Manshaa is the brand’s first peated single malt, crafted in the Himalayan region. The whisky impressed the international jury with its "long medicinal peat smoke, perfectly framed by citrus and spicy flavours." Esteemed whisky critic and author of the Whisky Bible, Jim Murray, praised it for its “charming smokiness, with peat in sparkling form.”

Crafted using pure Himalayan waters and shaped by the region’s distinct microclimate, GianChand Manshaa stands as a symbol of India’s potential in the premium single malt category. The win adds to the growing list of accolades for DeVANS, following their recent victories at the International Whisky Competition (IWC) in Las Vegas, where GianChand Adambaraa was named Best Indian Single Malt Whisky 2025 and Best Indian Whisky of the Year 2025.

“This prestigious Grand Gold and INTERNATIONAL WHISKY OF THE YEAR award at ISW Meininger, Germany 2025 is a great recognition of our passion, craft and commitment to quality,” said Prem Dewan, Chairman and Managing Director of DeVANS. “It’s not only a victory for DeVANS, but also a recognition of India’s growing role in the global whisky space.”

Speaking on the brand's journey, Dewan added, “GianChand Manshaa and GianChand Adambaraa represent two facets of our legacy, one bold and peated, the latter refined and elegant. Their success is a tribute to our team’s hard work and a reaffirmation of India’s place in the world of single malts.”

Currently available in Delhi and Hyderabad duty-free, both GianChand expressions will soon hit retail shelves in Haryana and Goa. These achievements underline DeVANS’ commitment to excellence and its vision to elevate Indian whisky to global acclaim.

For whisky lovers and industry insiders alike, this moment is not just a triumph, it’s a proud celebration of the craftsmanship and innovation coming out of India’s distilleries today.

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