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:

image


"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:

image

"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/


NoBa Opens in Bengaluru's Kalyan Nagar with a Cocktail-First Dining Experience

NoBa Opens in Bengaluru's Kalyan Nagar with a Cocktail-First Dining Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 26, 2026

NoBa has officially opened its doors in Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru, bringing a fresh cocktail-led dining experience to North Bangalore. Designed as a destination where food, beverages and hospitality come together, the 120-seater venue offers guests a vibrant yet relaxed setting to explore thoughtfully crafted flavours.

At the centre of NoBa's concept is its cocktail programme, which has been curated by industry veteran Bala, who brings more than 19 years of experience in the beverage industry. The bar menu focuses on creativity, technique and storytelling, with every cocktail carefully developed to deliver a memorable drinking experience.

Using house-made syrups, infusions and unique flavour combinations, the team has created a range of original cocktails that balance sophistication with accessibility. Rather than being an addition to the dining experience, cocktails form the core of NoBa's identity, encouraging guests to discover new flavours while enjoying a welcoming atmosphere.

The food menu has been designed to complement the beverage programme, featuring globally inspired dishes that naturally pair with the cocktails. The close collaboration between the kitchen and bar ensures a seamless experience where both elements work together to enhance the guest journey.

The restaurant's interiors draw inspiration from modern Mediterranean design, featuring high ceilings, natural light, earthy tones and contemporary details. The space effortlessly transforms from a relaxed dining destination during the day to an energetic social venue in the evening, centred around its vibrant bar experience.

While positioned as a premium offering, NoBa has been created with an inclusive approach. The venue aims to provide a comfortable environment where guests can enjoy innovative food and drinks, meaningful conversations and genuine hospitality.

With its focus on exceptional cocktails, quality cuisine and a thoughtfully designed setting, NoBa marks a new addition to Bengaluru's growing dining and nightlife landscape, offering a destination where guests can connect, explore and enjoy memorable experiences.

  • Venue: NoBa, 5th Floor, 714, HRBR Layout 1st Block, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560043
  • Timings: 12 Noon to 12 AM


Katana Introduces Baiu Menu to Celebrate Bengaluru’s Monsoon Season

Katana Introduces Baiu Menu to Celebrate Bengaluru’s Monsoon Season

By Hariharan U

Published on June 26, 2026

Katana has introduced its special Baiu menu, a seasonal culinary experience inspired by Japan's traditional plum rain season and designed to complement Bengaluru's monsoon months.

Available from 1st July onwards, the curated menu brings together comforting Japanese flavours, warm bowls, crispy bites, and signature beverages crafted for cosy rainy-day dining. The concept draws inspiration from Baiu, the rainy season in Japan, offering guests an experience that reflects the warmth and comfort associated with the period.

Among the highlights are dishes such as Crispy Enoki, Teba No Yaki, spicy and creamy chicken wings, and Salmon Tartar served on potato cakes. Each dish has been thoughtfully selected to suit the cooler weather while showcasing Katana's contemporary approach to Japanese cuisine.

A standout feature of the menu is the Quick Ramen, a customizable ramen experience that allows diners to select their preferred broth and protein combination, creating a personalised bowl tailored to individual tastes.

For sushi enthusiasts, Katana is offering a premium 20-piece Assorted Sushi Platter featuring salmon sashimi, gunkan maki, sake maki, spicy tuna uramaki, salmon nigiri, and tuna nigiri. The platter brings together a variety of textures and flavours, making it ideal for sharing.

Guests looking for classic Japanese-inspired appetisers can also enjoy favourites such as Prawn Gyoza, Beef Gyoza, and Prawn Corn Fritters, adding a mix of comforting and indulgent options to the seasonal offering.

To complement the food menu, Katana has introduced a selection of specialty sake-based cocktails. The Tiramisu No Yoru combines sake with fresh cream and homemade tiramisu syrup, while the Katana Counsel blends sake, vermouth, and merlot for a richer flavour profile.

Another signature creation, Pearl Blossom, features sake, guava juice, mint, homemade strawberry syrup, and soda, delivering a refreshing balance suited to Bengaluru's monsoon evenings.

With the launch of Baiu, Katana aims to create a seasonal dining experience that combines Japanese culinary traditions with contemporary flavours, offering guests a destination for comforting food, handcrafted cocktails, and memorable monsoon gatherings.


Encalm Launches Encalm Eats, Debuts IndiSip Café at Delhi Airport

Encalm Launches Encalm Eats, Debuts IndiSip Café at Delhi Airport

By Hariharan U

Published on June 25, 2026

Encalm has announced the launch of Encalm Eats, a dedicated food and beverage vertical that marks the company's entry into the creation and management of hospitality-led dining concepts. The new venture aims to develop distinctive culinary brands while expanding Encalm's integrated hospitality ecosystem across airports and other high-footfall destinations.

As its first in-house brand concept, Encalm Eats has introduced IndiSip Café at Delhi Airport. Designed around the idea of bringing India's flavours to travellers one sip at a time, the café celebrates the country's rich beverage heritage while offering a contemporary café experience.

The launch represents a natural extension of Encalm's hospitality portfolio, which already spans airport lounges, meet-and-assist services, wellness offerings, and in-flight catering. Through Encalm Eats, the company plans to build a portfolio of original food and beverage concepts alongside select partner brands, focusing on authentic flavours, operational excellence, and evolving consumer preferences.

At IndiSip Café, guests can choose from a wide selection of beverages inspired by India's tea culture, including Ginger Cardamom Chai, Kesar Chai, Gulab Chai, and Kashmiri Kahwa. The menu also features handcrafted coffees, iced lattes, espressos, and indulgent shakes designed to cater to both traditional and modern tastes.

Complementing the beverage selection is a food menu that blends regional favourites with café classics. Offerings include Masala Samosa, Khopara Patties, Irani Bun Maska, Achari Paneer Tikka Wraps, and Achari Chicken Tikka Wraps, alongside croissants, muffins, cookies, and other grab-and-go options suited to today's travellers.

Commenting on the launch, Vikas Sharma, Group Chief Executive Officer, Encalm, said the introduction of Encalm Eats marks the next phase of the company's vision to create a comprehensive hospitality ecosystem. He noted that food and beverage experiences remain one of hospitality's most important touchpoints and that IndiSip reflects the company's commitment to enhancing every stage of the guest journey.

Deepak Bhatia, Business Head, Encalm Eats, added that the company intends to build a portfolio of concepts rooted in authentic flavours, consumer insight, and consistent quality. He described IndiSip as the first step in a larger strategy to create memorable dining experiences through thoughtfully designed food and beverage brands.

The launch of IndiSip Café signals the beginning of Encalm Eats' broader expansion plans, with the company aiming to introduce innovative dining concepts across multiple formats and locations. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, Encalm Eats plans to focus on creating culinary experiences that combine authenticity, convenience, and quality.

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.