F&B News

deGustibus gets into catering

Sayoni Bhaduri - Mumbai

deGustibus Hospitality owned by restaurateur Rahul Akerkar is launching a catering division - Moveable Feast. The commercial kitchen, in the process of development in Sewri, a Mumbai suburb and is expected to start operations between April and June this year.

Akerkar says, "We have a multi-kitchen which has various stations for preparing different vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines." Developed with an investment of approximately Rs 3-4 crore, Moveable Feast will target markets like weddings, home parties and corporate events. There are also plans of establishing a similar format in other cities. Akerkar also mentioned that this is a move keeping in mind the popularity of outdoor catering done by his Indigo restaurant.

Akerkar also informed that he has taken up the development project of the Mumbai Turf Club, next to the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai. He however refused to comment on the investment but mentioned that deGustibus is involved in the development of the bar, restaurant and its banquet facility.

deGustibus Hospitality has recently launched the club ‘Blue Frog’ in partnership with Rishad Nathani. The club's idea, Akerkar informs, came from the founding members Ashutosh Pathak, Dhruv Ghanekar, Mahesh Mathai, Srila Chatterjee and Simran Mulchandani. "The club is not just a club; it is a live music venue with a fine dining restaurant," he says. Its development took about eight to nine months. deGustibus is not involved with music operations of the 6,000 square feet club but takes care of F&B and the overall management of the facility.