Table for Two: Restaurateurs AD Singh (Olive, Monkey Bar, SodabottleOpenerWala, etc) and Riyaaz Amlani (Social, Smoke House Deli, BANNG, etc)

Starter: A throwback to the early days – Mocha mugs, Olive nights, and the quiet beginnings of a restaurant revolution

Main Course: Scaling with soul, shaping food culture, and why the best restaurants are more than what’s on the plate

Pairing: Local pride, Catering to Gen Z, Investor Pressures, and the Unexpected Cost of Being Cool

House Special: How to build spaces people return to, why India needs a robust nightlife scene, and what the future of dining might actually look like

From the Counter: Government red tape, nightlife nostalgia, and scaling with integrity

Dessert: Bizarre food inventions and cultural hot takes

This episode is nostalgic, punchy, and just the right amount of unfiltered. Pair it with the Coffee and Dark Chocolate Indie Katli Bars by Bombay Sweet Shop.

Host: Smitha Menon

We’re on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever food memories live. Drop in to say hello at smitha@smithamenon.co or contact@maed.in

This is a Maed in India production.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Animation: Alika Gupta

Video Editor: Kaval Chaudhary

Video Guidance: Jishnu Guha

Sound Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

On-Location Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar

Production Assistant: Natasha Vakil

Artwork: Jishnu Bandyopadhyay

Michelin-starred khichdi, food delivery algorithms, multi-generational Gujarati eateries, fermentation discourse, and the unapologetic rise of dosa – India isn’t just having a food moment, it’s leading a food movement.

Hosted by food journalist Smitha Menon, Big Food Energy is back for Season 2 with more high-flavour conversations from the heart of India’s food evolution. From fine dining to street side snacks, kitchen labs, and diner preferences, this season serves up conversations with chefs, restaurateurs, aggregators, and food thinkers who are rewriting the rules and taking up space on the global culinary stage.

Featuring guests Chef Himanshu Saini of Trèsind Studio, Chef Partner Chintan Pandya and CEO Roni Mazumdar of Unapologetic Foods, Chef and Educator Vinesh Johny of Lavonne, CEO of Swiggy Food Marketplace Rohit Kapoor, Food Writers Priya Krishna of NY Times and Anisha Oommen of Goya Journal, and so many more. Expect sharp insights, spicy takes, and stories that linger like your favourite comfort food.

Host: Smitha Menon

We’re on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever food memories live. Drop in to say hello at smitha@smithamenon.co or contact@maed.in

This is a Maed in India production.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Animation: Alika Gupta

Video Editor: Kaval Chaudhary

Video Guidance: Jishnu Guha

Sound Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

On-Location Sound Engineer: Nihar TemkarProduction Assistant: Natasha Vakil

Artwork: Jishnu Bandyopadhyay

In this episode, we’re catching up with Prateek Sadhu, the chef with a fire in his belly and a bold vision called Naar — a one-of-a-kind fine dining spot tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Prateek made waves as the head chef at Masque, crowned India’s best restaurant by Asia's 50 Best, before deciding to trade the city hustle for a mountain adventure. It's now Naar's first anniversary and Prateek has won multiple awards and accolades, including the Chef of the Year award at Conde Nast Traveller's Top Restaurant Awards.

Join us as we chat about his leap, dive into his passion for "Himalayan-forward cuisine," and hear the real story behind setting up a fine dining gem far away from the urban buzz. Is it everything he dreamed of? Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of food! 🍽️🔥

Created By Smitha Menon In Association With Creators Journal

Executive Producer: Shivam Srivastav

Written and Hosted By Smitha Menon

Edited by: Freehulancer