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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.
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.
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.
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By Hariharan U
Published on October 21, 2026
The Kitchen by Chef Deepa is bringing a traditional festive favourite to Chennai with its special selection of homemade Matthi for Karwa Chauth, prepared with pure ghee and available exclusively on a made-to-order basis.
Matthi holds a special place in Karwa Chauth traditions, particularly during the ritual of breaking the fast after the moon is sighted. Traditionally, a husband offers his wife the first morsel of food and water, with Matthi often forming part of this moment. The festive delicacy represents care, affection and togetherness, making it a meaningful addition to the celebration.
Through its festive offering, The Kitchen by Chef Deepa aims to bring this familiar tradition closer to families in Chennai, offering home-style preparations that can be included in their Karwa Chauth rituals.
The selection features two varieties. The Sweet Saffron, Almond and Pista Matthi, priced at ₹1,350 per kg, combines aromatic saffron with the richness of almonds and pistachios. For those who prefer a simpler, traditional option, Classic Plain Matthi is available at ₹1,100 per kg.
Prepared with pure ghee and an emphasis on traditional flavours, the Matthi is available on a made-to-order basis. Customers can place orders directly with The Kitchen by Chef Deepa ahead of their celebrations.
The festive offering reflects the kitchen's focus on traditional Punjabi home-style cooking and special preparations for occasions celebrated with family. By bringing a familiar part of the Karwa Chauth ritual to Chennai, the kitchen offers customers a convenient way to include this traditional delicacy in their festivities.
Brand: The Kitchen by Chef Deepa
Location: Perungudi, Chennai
Sweet Saffron, Almond and Pista Matthi: ₹1,350 per kg
Availability: Made to order
Phone: +91 93635 44123
Instagram: The Kitchen by Chef Deepa
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
GTGO, the Korean F&B platform behind GOPIZZA, Gochujang and Dalkomi, has introduced bibigo bapsang to India through an exclusive strategic partnership with CJ Foods, the global company behind the Korean food brand bibigo. The launch marks the arrival of the brand's authentic Korean quick-service restaurant (QSR) format in India, with its first outlet opening at Orion Mall, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru.
The new outlet marks another step in GTGO's expansion as a multi-brand platform focused on bringing Korean cuisine to Indian consumers while adapting to local tastes. Additional bibigo bapsang outlets are planned across Bengaluru by the end of the year.
Designed to make Korean food a part of everyday dining, bibigo bapsang combines the convenience of a QSR with a menu rooted in Korean flavours. Its signature offering is BYOB (Build Your Own Bapsang), a customisable bowl inspired by the Korean table, bringing together rice, protein and vegetables in one meal.
The menu also features bibimbap, Korean chicken, Korean fries, corndogs and desserts, with options available at affordable prices. The concept aims to welcome first-time diners exploring Korean cuisine while giving regular fans access to familiar favourites.
Mahesh Reddy, co-founder and CEO of GTGO, said, "Bengaluru has always been a special market with a vibrant crowd that is ready to try new things. These stores are more than new locations; they are another step towards making high-quality, approachable Korean food a regular part of everyday life for more people across India."
A spokesperson from CJ Foods said, "In Bengaluru, we aim to offer a fun, approachable Korean dining experience through customisable meal sets and bibimbap. By combining CJ Foods' leading brand and product expertise with GTGO's deep local-market understanding and agile execution, we will bring the value of Korean food to more consumers across India."
Alongside bibigo bapsang, GTGO's portfolio includes GOPIZZA, Gochujang, which focuses on Korean street food, and Dalkomi, which offers Korean desserts. The company is looking to build on the growing interest in Korean culture and cuisine by bringing more Korean food concepts to Indian consumers.
With the launch of bibigo bapsang, GTGO aims to expand its presence in Bengaluru and make Korean dining more accessible through a mix of familiar formats, customisable meals and authentic flavours.
epigamia, a premium dairy products brand, has teamed up with filmmaker Farah Khan and chef Dilip to show how Greek yogurt can be used to prepare easy and delicious desserts at home. The collaboration features the duo recreating a viral Greek recipe using epigamia, the OG Greek Yogurt. The video is available on the Instagram handles of epigamia and Farah Khan.
In the video, Farah and Dilip prepare a creamy Greek dessert using just three ingredients. Their familiar banter, along with Dilip's practical kitchen tips, shows how a recipe with Greek roots can be recreated at home with everyday ingredients and minimal effort. The dish combines the indulgence of a dessert with the nutritional benefits of protein-rich Greek yogurt.
The film is the first in a series of Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts planned over the next two months. The upcoming content will introduce audiences to the recipe and its variations, encouraging them to explore different ways of using Greek yogurt in their daily cooking.
Speaking about the collaboration, Ritesh Gauba, CEO at epigamia, said, “Consumers today are becoming more conscious about what goes into their food, but their love for great taste hasn't changed. The real opportunity lies in making better food choices feel effortless, not like a compromise. Greek yogurt fits naturally into this shift, bringing together creamy indulgence, protein and the goodness of dairy, without unnecessary additives. With growing interest in protein-rich foods, Greek yogurt is set to become an everyday habit, whether for breakfast, a midday snack or even dessert.”
The campaign comes at a time when Indian consumers are exploring food options that balance taste and nutrition. According to IMARC Group, India's yogurt market is projected to grow by around 19% annually between 2026 and 2034. Market Decipher estimates that India's high-protein yogurt segment will grow by around 14.6% annually through 2036.
As interest in protein-rich foods grows, Greek yogurt is finding its place beyond breakfast, with consumers exploring its use in snacks, desserts and everyday cooking. Through this collaboration, epigamia aims to position Greek yogurt as a versatile ingredient that can be used in home recipes rather than consumed only on its own.
Looking ahead, epigamia plans to strengthen its presence in the yogurt and ready-to-consume protein category through a range of consumer-focused, tasty and innovative product launches.
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