Simba Beer Celebrates India's Craft Culture on Beer Day

Sip and Celebrate: Simba Beer Champions Craft Culture on International Beer Day

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 6, 2025

Simba Beer invites craft beer enthusiasts to raise a toast to togetherness, conversation, and the spirit of good times this International Beer Day. As India’s leading craft beer brand, Simba has revolutionized the beer landscape with bold, distinctive brews that cater to a diverse range of tastes. Founded in 2016 in Chhattisgarh, Simba has emerged as a pioneering force in the Indian craft beer scene, offering a variety of exceptional brews, including Simba Stout, Simba Wit, Simba Lager, and Simba Strong. From the refreshing, citrusy Simba Wit to the rich, roasted Simba Stout and the bold, full-bodied Simba Strong, each brew reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation.

"Beer isn’t just a drink; it’s a catalyst for connection, conversation, and celebration. This International Beer Day, let’s toast to the joy of togetherness and great times!" said Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia, COO and Co-Founder of Simba Beer. This vision has been central to Simba since its inception, shaping its journey as it builds a thriving community of craft beer lovers across India. With a passion for pushing creative boundaries, Simba’s brews embody the spirit of exploration, offering unique flavors that resonate with beer enthusiasts.

Beyond brewing, Simba fosters a culture of collaboration and celebration through initiatives like the Simba Uproar festival. This vibrant event showcases underground culture, grassroots talent, and dynamic experiences that bring beer lovers together. This year, the festival introduced FMX (Freestyle Motocross), blending high-energy action with music and craft beer, creating an immersive experience for attendees. Additionally, Simba’s Brew-Off initiative invites independent breweries to collaborate on small-batch experimental brews, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to innovation and community-building.

As Simba continues to expand across India, it remains dedicated to nurturing its beer-loving community while introducing new and exciting brews. Its portfolio of signature beers reflects a diverse range of tastes - Simba Wit, a hazy Belgian-style wheat beer with refreshing citrus notes, subtle lemongrass hints, and a spice kick from coriander seeds; Simba Stout, India’s first bottled stout with smooth coffee, caramel, and dark chocolate flavors; Simba Lager, a well-balanced brew with rich malt flavors and an aromatic finish; and Simba Strong, a bold and robust lager with a crisp mouthfeel and a perfect balance of roasted flavors and mild sweetness.

With a rebellious spirit and an unwavering commitment to quality, Simba Beer continues to redefine India’s craft beer culture. Rooted in creativity and self-expression, the brand goes beyond brewing, supporting underground music, collaborating with artists, and building a strong creative community. As Simba raises a glass to International Beer Day, it invites beer lovers across the country to celebrate not just the drink, but the connections and experiences that come with it.

Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Kumar Wins James Beard Award, Puts Semma and South Indian Cuisine on the Global Map

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 20, 2025

In a historic win for Indian cuisine, Chef Vijay Kumar, hailing from a small village near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, has been awarded Best Chef: New York State at the prestigious James Beard Awards 2025. Held on Monday night in Chicago, the awards are regarded as one of the culinary world’s highest honours — and for the first time, an Indian restaurant and chef have claimed this top spot in New York.

Kumar is the Executive Chef of Semma, a restaurant that has revolutionized the Indian fine dining scene in New York. Part of the Unapologetic Foods group led by Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar, Semma is unapologetically rooted in South Indian heritage, serving dishes rarely seen outside Tamil homes. From fiery nathai pirattal (snail curry) to eral thokku (spicy prawns) and foxtail millet khichdi, the food is bold, soulful, and deeply personal — served in clay pots and on banana leaves, often without cutlery.

Dressed in a traditional Veshti while accepting the award, Kumar shared an emotional moment:

“When I started cooking, I never thought a kid like me from Tamil Nadu could make it to a room like this. But the food I grew up with — food made with care and fire, with soul — is now taking the main stage. There’s no such thing as poor people’s food or rich people’s food. If it’s true, it’s powerful.”

Semma has consistently earned accolades since its opening in 2021. It holds a Michelin star for three years running and was crowned No. 1 on The New York Times’ 100 Best Restaurants list — a rare feat for an Indian restaurant. But for Kumar, this moment is about more than stars and rankings. It’s about representation, roots, and reclaiming pride in food once hidden in shame.

Growing up in Arasampatti, a village surrounded by paddy fields and coconut trees, Kumar recalls how dishes like snail curry were once considered farmer’s food — something to be kept from classmates. It wasn’t until culinary school that he saw escargot on a fine-dining menu and realized: “Maybe the world just hadn’t tasted our food yet.”

Originally dreaming of becoming an engineer, financial limitations led Kumar to pursue catering college — a twist of fate that launched a career celebrating the food of his ancestors. Today, with a James Beard medal and a mission that resonates from New York to Tamil Nadu, Chef Vijay Kumar has not only redefined fine dining but also carved a powerful space for heritage cuisine in global gastronomy.

Semma is no longer just a restaurant — it’s a revolution in flavour, identity, and cultural pride.

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PAUL to Bring French Culinary Excellence to Bengaluru in August with First Outlet at Orion Gateway Mall

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 20, 2025

Globally celebrated French bakery and café PAUL is set to make its Bengaluru debut this August with its first outlet at Orion Gateway Mall, Rajajinagar. With a rich legacy spanning over 135 years, PAUL brings its signature French charm to the city in a stunning alfresco lakeside setting covering 3,850 square feet.

The menu will feature a refined selection of authentic French delicacies—from quiche lorraine, croque monsieur, savoury crêpes, and French onion soup, to caramelized canelés. Bengaluru’s food lovers can also enjoy sourdough Napoletana pizzas, tartines, pastas, rice bowls, salads, risottos, sandwiches, and refreshing beverages—all made using the finest locally and internationally sourced ingredients.

The Parisian-style ambience at PAUL makes it the perfect spot for a cozy breakfast, a laid-back brunch, or even a quick solo indulgence. Whether it's a casual coffee date or a business meeting, PAUL promises a slice of France in the heart of the city.

Sunil Munshi, Senior Vice President – Retail, Brigade Group, said:

"The upcoming launch of PAUL at Orion Gateway Mall furthers our commitment to delivering globally inspired experiences crafted with innovation and care. We’re excited to bring this iconic French tradition to Bengaluru and confident it will become a favourite among the city's food connoisseurs.”

Vaibhav Kaushish, Chief Operating Officer, PAUL India, added:

“Opening our first outlet in Bengaluru is a significant milestone. Staying true to our brand's philosophy of Eat Well, Live Well, we bring the finest ingredients—free from palm oil and artificial additives—and French staples like viennoiseries, hot chocolate, and pain au chocolat to this vibrant city.”

PAUL’s commitment to authenticity, wellness, and sustainability, combined with its heritage of artisanal craftsmanship, makes it a much-awaited culinary destination for Bengalureans. With its debut, the city is all set to savour the best of French bakery traditions—one croissant at a time.