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

On this episode of #BigFoodEnergy, we're sitting down with Rishi Khiani, Karan Khetrapal, and Rachel Goenka, the folks behind Kaam.com, a platform that’s tackling one of the biggest challenges in the hospitality industry—labour shortages. Kaam.com is an industry-backed staffing and employment platform designed to create opportunities for both job seekers and businesses.

We’ll explore how Kaam.com goes beyond just job placement by offering skilling, training, and even financial inclusion for the communities they serve. Listen in as we dive into how this platform is not only addressing the current labour crisis but also shaping the future of the hospitality workforce.

Created By Smitha Menon In Association With Creators Journal

Executive Producer: Shivam Srivastav

Written and Hosted By Smitha Menon

Edited by: Freehulancer

What if the secret to building a successful craft beer business wasn’t only about brewing great beer? In this episode of Big Food Energy, we dive into the story of how Nakul Bhonsle, the founder of Great State Aleworks, turned an unexpected strategy—his community—into the backbone of his brand’s success.

From tapping into local networks to fostering a loyal fan base, learn how this craft beer entrepreneur used the power of community to grow from a small operation to a booming, global business. Whether you're a brewer, entrepreneur, or just curious about the power of people, this episode will inspire you!

Created By Smitha Menon In Association With Creators Journal

Written and Hosted By Smitha Menon

Executive Producer: Shivam Srivastav

Edited by: Freehulancer

Podcast Resources:

Great State Aleworks: https://www.instagram.com/greatstate.aleworks/

Brewing Up a Business - Adventures in Beer from the Founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: https://www.amazon.in/Brewing-Up-Business-Adventures-Founder/dp/0470942312

In this episode, we sit down with Chef Deepanker Khosla, the visionary behind Haoma, Bangkok's Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its groundbreaking sustainability practices. From winning the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year award at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants to redefining what it means to be an eco-conscious eatery, Chef Khosla shares his insights on how sustainability shapes every aspect of Haoma. Tune in to discover the challenges, innovations, and philosophies that drive one of the world's most sustainable restaurants.

Created By Smitha Menon In Association With Creators Journal

Written and Hosted By Smitha Menon

Executive Producer: Shivam Srivastav

Edited by: Freehulancer

In this episode of Big Food Energy, we’re chatting with Alina Alam, founder of Mitti Cafe, a groundbreaking social initiative changing the landscape of inclusivity in the food industry.

The chain started as a single cafe in Bengaluru in 2017 and has since expanded to 38 outlets in corporate spaces, malls, and airports in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. It recently opened a location on the campus of the Supreme Court of India and the Rashtrapati Bhavan! 🚀

We explore how Alina uses the power of food to empower and uplift those with special needs across India.

Listen in for insights into how businesses can create meaningful change through diversity and representation.

🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories from the world of food

Created By Smitha Menon In Association With Creators Journal

Written and Hosted By Smitha Menon

Executive Producer: Shivam Srivastav

Edited by: Freehulancer

Mitti Cafe’s Website: https://www.mitticafe.org/what-we-do

In this episode of Big Food Energy, we're chatting with Samyukta Nair, the visionary restaurateur behind some of London's most sought-after dining spots, including Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, Socca, Koyn, and MiMi Mei Fair. Samyukta has hospitality in her DNA, hailing from the renowned Nair family, founders of the prestigious Leela Hotels group.

In this episode, we delve into how Samyukta has harnessed her family's legacy to carve out her own path as an award-winning restaurateur and entrepreneur. Discover her secrets to developing unique restaurant concepts that thrive in London's highly competitive culinary scene. From her creative process to the challenges she's overcome, Samyukta shares invaluable insights into building a successful restaurant empire.

Whether you're a food enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, you won't want to miss this inspiring conversation with one of the industry's most dynamic leaders. Tune in to learn how Samyukta Nair continues to elevate London's dining experience and redefine modern hospitality.

Entrepreneurship, Hospitality, London's Top Restaurants, Samyukta Nair