Setting up a restaurant can be challenging. While many fail and give up, there’s Café Delhi Heights – a restaurant where we all have created some memories. To understand more about the F&B industry, changing food trends, the challenges of running a food outlet, and Café Delhi Heights, we got in touch with Vikrant Batra, the owner of the restaurant chain. Excerpts from the interview:
Tell us something about your journey. How did you start the restaurant?
My journey in the restaurant industry has been a fulfilling and exciting one. It all began with my passion for food and my desire to bring something unique to Delhi’s dining scene. After completing my education and gaining valuable experience in the hospitality industry, I decided to take the plunge. In 2009, I opened my first restaurant, Delhi Heights, in Rajouri Garden. This was the beginning of my culinary adventure.
What is it like to run a restaurant? It’s not an easy business.
Running a restaurant is indeed a challenging but incredibly rewarding business. It’s not just about serving food; it’s about creating an experience for our guests. The restaurant industry is dynamic and competitive, and you have to constantly innovate to stay ahead.
One of the most challenging aspects is maintaining consistent quality and service. Every plate that leaves our kitchen has to meet our high standards, and ensuring this across all our outlets is a continuous effort. We invest in training our staff and have strict quality control processes in place.
Additionally, there are daily operational challenges, from managing inventory and staffing to staying in tune with customer preferences. It requires dedication, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the market.
But despite the challenges, what keeps me going is the joy of seeing people leave our restaurants with smiles on their faces, knowing that we’ve contributed to their happiness through our food and ambiance.
How are you ensuring that you keep the quality in control? How do you source your meat and seafood?
Quality control is paramount for us. We maintain strict standards at every stage of our operation. We source our ingredients from trusted suppliers who meet our specifications to ensure food quality. We have a dedicated procurement team that works closely with our suppliers to ensure the freshness and quality of our ingredients, including meat and seafood.
Our kitchen staff undergo rigorous training to prepare dishes according to our recipes and standards. We also conduct regular quality checks and audits to maintain consistency across all our outlets.
When it comes to meat and seafood, we prioritize freshness and sustainability. We work with suppliers who follow ethical and sustainable practices, and we regularly inspect their facilities to ensure compliance with our quality standards. Our goal is to serve our customers the best possible ingredients in every dish.
What about competition?
Competition in the restaurant industry is fierce, and it keeps us on our toes. We see competition as a healthy motivator that drives us to continuously improve and innovate. We believe in staying true to our brand identity and offering something unique to our customers.
Our approach to competition is to focus on what we do best, which is creating a diverse menu that appeals to a wide range of tastes and preferences. We also emphasize the overall dining experience, from the ambiance to the service.
We keep an eye on market trends and customer feedback to adapt and evolve. Ultimately, competition pushes us to be better and to exceed our customers’ expectations.
What are the future plans?
We have exciting plans for the future. We are committed to expanding our presence both nationally and internationally. Our goal is to take the essence of Cafe Delhi Heights to different parts of the country and even abroad, making it a global venture.
We will continue to innovate and introduce new concepts and offerings to our customers. We want to remain at the forefront of the culinary scene and keep surprising our patrons with delightful dining experiences.
Additionally, we are exploring opportunities to diversify our business further, including banquets and catering services. Our journey has just begun, and we look forward to writing more chapters in the story of Cafe Delhi Heights.
What are the latest food trends?
In the ever-evolving food industry, it’s crucial to stay abreast of the latest trends. Some of the current trends we’ve observed encompass several key areas. Firstly, there’s a burgeoning demand for healthier dining options, as customers increasingly seek dishes that are not only delectable but also nutritious. In response, we’ve expanded our menu to include a variety of health-conscious choices and options tailored to dietary restrictions. Additionally, sustainability is gaining prominence, with eco-friendly practices becoming paramount to consumers. We are actively working on reducing our environmental footprint through sustainable sourcing and minimizing food waste. Fusion cuisine remains a perennial favorite, and we’re continuously experimenting with blending flavors from diverse cultures to craft unique and enticing dishes that cater to adventurous palates. The rising popularity of plant-based and vegan foods has not escaped our notice, prompting us to incorporate more plant-based options into our menu to cater to this growing segment of diners. Lastly, we recognize the importance of technology in enhancing the overall dining experience, from online ordering and reservations to contactless payment options. Our commitment is to stay at the forefront of these trends, offering a wide range of dining experiences that both embrace current culinary developments and uphold the core identity of our brand.
