Shankar Distillers Opens High-Tech Distillery in Troy, Michigan

Shankar Distillers Opens High-Tech Distillery in Troy, Michigan

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 28, 2024

Shankar Distillers, the latest venture by tech entrepreneur Varchasvi Shankar, has officially opened in Troy, Michigan. This advanced distillery features a state-of-the-art 45-foot continuous distillation column, so large that the distillery's roof had to be modified to accommodate it. Located in an industrial park, the distillery's glass ceiling is a distinctive landmark visible from I-75, just north of the 14 Mile exit near Oakland Mall.

Varchasvi Shankar, the first Indian immigrant to open an American whiskey distillery, celebrated the grand opening of Shankar Distillers on Friday, July 12. Shankar has also expanded into international markets, making the Varchas Whiskey line the first American craft bourbon exported to India. The distillery team includes master distiller Kylash Sivakumar and senior advisor Dennis Archer Jr., who have together crafted several award-winning spirits. Among their accolades is the Varchas Reserve 102 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which won gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its smooth, earthy flavor profile featuring notes of wood, leather, tobacco, and caramel.

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Shankar expressed his enthusiasm for sharing these whiskeys directly with the public. “This is a dream come true for me. I never imagined that I would open a distillery in the USA. I came here for a technology career, but whiskey has always been my passion, and I'm thrilled to bring this unique cultural experience to the people of this country,” he said. “I'm excited to see visitors experience in person the fusion of Eastern and Western traditions in our spirits.”

Shankar Distillers offers a range of spirits, including Varchas Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Varchas Straight Rye Whiskey, Dasara Gin, and Varchas Vodka. Visitors can purchase these products along with branded merchandise like whiskey glasses, flasks, and T-shirts. The tasting room features plush lounge seating and a premium atmosphere, with a diverse cocktail menu that includes classics like Manhattans and barrel-aged sazeracs, as well as a unique gin and tonic made with Indian tonic. House specialties also include the “Gimme Some More,” made with Varchas Vodka, cucumber, and elderflower liqueur.

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Shankar Distillers stands out not just for its story of transitioning from tech to distilling but also for the beauty of its bottles. The 750 ml glass bottles feature a two-headed eagle on the label, a symbol of Shankar’s home state of Mysore in southern India, and a 3D eagle on the cork, highlighting Shankar’s accomplishments in the United States. The distillery is proud of its Michigan roots, using locally sourced water and corn in its products.

For those interested in visiting, Shankar Distillers at 1030 Chicago Road in Troy is open from 3-10 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday, 3 p.m.-midnight on Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Tours are available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. 

For more information, visit shankardistillers.com.


GRB Dairy Foods Showcases Science Behind Pure Ghee

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 28, 2026

GRB Dairy Foods has launched a new campaign that gives consumers a closer look at the science behind its GRB Ghee. The campaign highlights the advanced testing methods used to check the purity and composition of the product, with a focus on Gas Chromatography (GC) technology.

The multilingual campaign will be rolled out across digital and social media platforms in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi, Odia, and Bengali. Gas Chromatography is a high-precision laboratory technique used in food science to study the chemical composition of products. For ghee, the process creates a unique “molecular fingerprint”, helping authenticate its composition and check whether it meets GRB's quality standards.

Through a campaign film and digital content, GRB Dairy Foods aims to make this scientific process easier for consumers to understand. The campaign focuses on how technology and expertise work together to maintain the purity and consistency expected from the brand.

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Balakarthik Balasubramaniam, Director, GRB Dairy Foods, who has worked in food processing and product innovation, said that much of the work that supports food quality happens behind the scenes. The new campaign is an effort to bring that process closer to consumers.

While taking about the new milestone, he said, "Food science has made remarkable advances over the years, but much of that knowledge remains confined to laboratories and manufacturing facilities. We saw an opportunity to bridge that gap by introducing consumers to Gas Chromatography which is an advanced analytical technique used globally to evaluate the purity and composition of ghee. While the science behind it is sophisticated, the objective is simple: helping consumers better understand the rigorous processes that support the products they bring into their homes. We believe that greater awareness leads to greater confidence, and this campaign is a step towards making the science of quality more accessible to consumers in India and across our international markets."

The company has also recently introduced an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrument at its Central Laboratory in Hosur. The technology is used for food safety testing of metal contaminants and adds another layer to the company's quality testing process.

Together, the GC campaign and the ICP-MS investment reflect GRB Dairy Foods' focus on using science and technology as part of its quality and consumer trust efforts. After four decades of building its presence in the food industry, the company is now bringing more attention to the processes that support its products. Because at GRB, purity has never been a promise made lightly and now, consumers can see exactly why.


The Kitchen by Chef Deepa Curates Raksha Bandhan Feast

The Kitchen by Chef Deepa Curates Raksha Bandhan Feast

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 28, 2026

This Raksha Bandhan, The Kitchen by Chef Deepa is bringing a festive vegetarian feast to family dining tables with a specially curated Raksha Bandhan Lunch / Dinner Menu.

Designed for celebrations at home, the menu brings together familiar Indian flavours and festive favourites, making it suitable for both small and larger family gatherings. The meal begins with Tomato Shorba and Thandai, followed by starters including Multani Paneer Tikka, Tandoori Cauliflower & Broccoli, and Samosa.

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For the main course, the menu features Paneer Lababdar, American Corn Palak, Aloo Gobi and Dal Makhani, served with Vegetable Biryani, Ajwain Laccha Paratha, Boondi Raita, Papad and Salad. The festive spread ends with Rabri Jamun, adding a traditional sweet touch to the meal.

The special menu is available in portions suited to different family celebrations:

  • For 2 pax:

  • For 4–5 guests:

  • For 10–12 guests:

  • Delivery charges: additional

From an intimate celebration for two to a larger family gathering, the menu is planned to make Raksha Bandhan dining convenient while bringing the warmth of a festive Indian meal home. For added convenience, The Kitchen by Chef Deepa is available for orders through Swiggy and Zomato, along with direct orders.

  • For direct orders, contact: The Kitchen by Chef Deepa: +91 93635 44123

Pamma Biryani Debuts as India’s First Punjabi Biryani Brand

Pamma Biryani Debuts as India’s First Punjabi Biryani Brand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 27, 2026

Pamma Biryani, a brand by Sandoz, has entered the food scene as India’s first Punjabi Biryani brand, bringing the bold flavours, generosity and warmth of Punjabi kitchens to one of the country’s most loved dishes.

Created as a delivery-first brand, Pamma Biryani combines traditional dum cooking with rich Punjabi flavours. At the heart of the brand is its philosophy of ‘Seva Before Sales,’ which reflects its belief that food should be prepared and served with care, generosity and authenticity.

The idea carries beyond the kitchen, with Pamma Biryani looking at food as an act of care rather than simply a transaction. The biryani menu takes inspiration from the way food is prepared in Punjabi homes, with a focus on patience and traditional cooking methods. The preparations begin with overnight marinades, followed by bhuna masalas that are cooked slowly to bring out their full flavour. Mustard oil, black cardamom, dried plums and white butter add a distinct Punjabi character to the biryani. The handi is then sealed for dum, allowing the rice, spices and protein to cook together slowly.

Along with its biryani, Pamma Biryani serves every order with raita, pyaaz, chutney and a Gulab Jamun, turning the meal into a complete spread. The menu includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with each dish following the brand’s signature cooking style.

Pamma Biryani has started its journey as a cloud kitchen, allowing the team to concentrate on recipes, consistency and the quality of every order. The brand currently delivers freshly prepared biryani across Delhi NCR through leading food delivery platforms, while also working towards future dine-in experiences.

Speaking about the launch, Gurmeet Singh Ahluwalia, Founder, Pamma Biryani, said:

"At Pamma, we commit entirely to two things at once: the craft of biryani and the soul of a Punjabi kitchen. We see absolutely no contradiction in that. The dum is real. The technique is honoured. But the personality in the pot, the audacity of the masala, the sheer quantity of ghee, that is ours and no one else's. Not because Punjab never cooked biryani. Of course it did. It just never planted a flag. Never said, this is ours, this has a name, this deserves to be known. Today, Pamma Biryani is India's first Punjabi biryani brand, and we're proud to finally give that legacy the name and identity it deserves."

The launch is the first step in Pamma Biryani’s larger vision of giving Punjabi biryani its own place alongside India’s well-known regional biryani styles.

With its focus on bold flavours, traditional cooking and the warmth associated with Punjabi food, Pamma Biryani aims to build a brand that gives diners a new answer to a simple question: what would biryani taste like if it came straight from a Punjabi kitchen?

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