I am pleased to see that Nikhil is taking this channel seriously and consistently producing high-quality episodes. Finally, there is an authentic podcast in India that delves deep into the nuances of topics.

Need a WTF episode with only Nandan Nilekani. Discussion from Infosys to Aadhar to ONDC

Two of the best People from the Hospitality Industry are Zorawar and Riaz. They both have done something in a Decade which people are not able to do in a lifetime in this Industry

Zorawar Kalra is a guy who writes a 6 page answer to a 5 mark question

Nikhil - I cannot tell you how much value you bring to us by using your influence and network to get us to listen to these folks. You do not just do a podcast for the sake of it but you make all your guests talk and bring value and insights to common people like myself. HUGE HUGE HUGE Thank you!

I am a Polar bear from Antarctica and I love Nikhil's podcasts. Once my friend, an Indian penguin, was watching this and since then I can't stop listening to it.

We have been running a small cafe and after running it for more than 15+ years, I can related to every point they have said. They have shared decades of restaurant and hospitality experience in just few hours. Hope people would understand the real pain behind running a restaurant. More power to nikhil and team for bringing this podcast!!

I think I could listen to Riyaaz forever. He was so clear, to the point and so so wise with his inputs. Truly loved it

Restaurants are the last bastions of meaningful offline experiences. That's so so true and deep

Zoravar is one of the most eloquent speakers ever ......could hear him speak for hours. Ananth on your earlier pod, was great as well.

Riaz Amlani is super knowledgeable about restaurant industry !

The length of your episodes keep on increasing day by day BUT I'm not complaining. What a way to spend the weekend. 🥂

Riyaaz is definitely a superstar, at first i was kinda agitated with the way he spoke (thought a drunk guy was speaking) but loved grew as I went deeper into the podcast. Riyaaz, I loved your insights, loved the way you spoke, loved your sense of humour hahaha Thanks again Nikhil for inviting them

I have to mention that Nikhil appears to be one of the calmest individuals on screen I've ever come across. The way he sets the ambiance at the beginning of the podcast and then proceeds is simply astounding. I hope this consistency remains as always.

Nikhil Kamath, wow ❗ you are taking business and its nuances in such a deep and subtle way... Every student should be shown your podcast in school, commerce college, and business college too. Mind you I am the Principal and Director of a school. First I hooked to it and now I am starting to show my grade 10/11/12 students. ❤

It's a treat to watch how Nikhil talks. It can be a learning platform for young and even grownups to project yourself so candid and cool while so much is going on inside you. To my mind he has mastered how wonderfully someone can build a bubble around oneself and strive alone within it.

Nikhil is such an amazing interviewer, calm, letting everyone speak, good listener, loved his style of doing this.

Pooja - Right time at the right place with the right people supporting her, Zorawar - the flag bearer of the Indian food story to the world, Riyaaz - that Mumbai friend, judging his Delhi friend and thinking phek raha hai.😄 Good watch!

00:06 The show is a crash course in opening a restaurant. 02:41 Overcoming societal restrictions to pursue a career in the F&B industry 06:36 Career growth is faster with an international degree, but salaries may not be significantly higher. 08:29 Pooja Dhingra started baking macaroons from her home kitchen and grew her business through catering and teaching baking classes. 12:36 Started multiple stores and cafes but had to shut down due to challenges 14:38 Pooja Dhingra talks about her new boyfriend and her podcast 'No Sugar Cat'. 18:37 The restaurant industry is a male-dominated field with cultural and societal barriers. 20:32 The importance of identifying key people in your life and focusing on their opinions 24:18 My dad started off as a journalist and became a food writer who put Indian food on the map. 26:10 Nikhil's father battled with stroke for 19 years 29:59 Inherited influence from his father and the impact on his career. 31:55 Zorawar Kalra transformed the perception of Indian food and made it popular again. 35:42 Bukhara is the most successful restaurant in India with an unchanged menu. 37:30 Discussion about personal relationships and the soft leadership style of a successful businessman 41:23 The restaurant industry requires multiple licenses to ensure safety and compliance. 43:23 Restaurants serve as public and cultural spaces. 47:26 The guests were born in a place with a Catholic community and had part-time jobs as DJs during college. 49:31 Growing up in a diverse community with unique religious practices 53:59 Restaurants are a multi-sensory experience and music can be an entry point into the tonality of the restaurant. 56:01 Restaurants monetize by displaying brands and selling merchandise. 1:00:00 Restaurants have the potential to become co-working spaces during the day to monetize their real estate. 1:01:57 90% of restaurants fail within the first year due to under capitalization. 1:06:01 Passion is the driving force, but it has its limits. 1:08:06 Premiumization trend in the Indian market 1:11:56 Starting a restaurant should begin with caution and frugality, possibly with a cloud kitchen or small cafe. 1:13:43 Key factors for creating a burger brand 1:17:19 Cloud kitchen allows for flexibility in location 1:19:01 The best way to gather market data is by observing the competition and counting the number of customers. 1:22:38 Restaurant density in India is 10% of China and 2% of the US 1:24:30 Overseas restaurant margins are either equal or higher due to lower occupancy costs. 1:28:26 Restaurants focusing on desserts have the potential to be successful, with desserts contributing a significant portion of revenue in some cases. 1:30:20 The search for a healthier sugar alternative is ongoing 1:33:56 Food spending is a significant part of consumption. 1:35:51 Labor cost in the hospitality industry has increased due to high demand and limited supply of labor. 1:39:41 Authentic storytelling drives better engagement than orchestrated content. 1:41:43 Indian food preferences vary by region and spice level. 1:45:34 The distinction between novel and traditional food products and the growing market for organized food sector in India 1:47:45 Quality and convenience are key factors in choosing a restaurant 1:51:31 Balancing food with ambiance and culture in restaurants 1:53:15 Quality of ingredients available in different locations affects the taste 1:56:49 Is there a market for ultra premium restaurants charging 5 times more for dishes? 1:58:42 India's food market is projected to be the third largest in the world by 2030, after the US and China. 2:02:37 Creating a buzz during restaurant launch is crucial for success. 2:04:27 Delivery commissions and additional costs can significantly reduce restaurant margins. 2:08:04 Restaurants are focusing on building their own delivery fleets and technology stacks to counter the dominance of aggregators. 2:09:59 Building a system based on discounts eventually harms consumers and restaurants. 2:13:43 Discovery and discounting are key factors driving users to aggregator platforms, but restaurants struggle to compete with the discounts offered. 2:15:35 Negotiate with aggregators by creating a strong product and demand. 2:19:15 The cost of delivery is coming down as we move into electric vehicles. 2:21:13 Cloud kitchens have high mortality rates and require strong branding and data-driven strategies. 2:25:18 Identifying underserved markets and differentiating your menu can lead to success in the restaurant industry. 2:26:59 Restaurants rely on individual vendors for supplies, but there are now alternatives like Hyperpure. 2:30:52 Invest time in understanding the market before starting a restaurant. 2:32:33 Knowing the footfall is crucial for capitalizing on business opportunities. 2:36:07 Implement strict audits and inventory management for effective restaurant operation. 2:37:58 Effective inventory and cost management through technology 2:41:42 Menu design plays a crucial role in enhancing average order values (AOVs). 2:43:28 Restaurant menus cater to different types of consumers based on price and vegetarianism. 2:47:16 Restaurant uses cameras to collect data on eating behaviors and reactions 2:49:19 Design plays a crucial role in creating a specific ambiance and feel in a space. 2:52:54 Uniqueness and user-generated content are important for attracting attention. 2:54:52 Instagrammable food and design are important for restaurant success. 2:58:48 The importance of maintaining the right bond with a chef in a restaurant business. 3:00:40 The success of a chef-based restaurant depends on how well the chef is managed. 3:04:36 Importance of having a talent acquirer with empathy training 3:06:28 Building culture is more difficult than building competence 3:10:11 Clear career path and support system provided to employees 3:12:02 Seasonality and festivals have a significant impact on restaurant businesses in India 3:15:44 The show is an educational exercise for entrepreneurs. 3:17:51 Assistance provided to young restaurants in starting up and mentoring 3:22:17 Importance of subscribing to the show

Nikhil greetings. I am a 72 year old retired, living in Los Angeles. Your podcast is world-class and bringing so much knowledge and entertainment and motivation to young people. If you ever come to Los Angeles, I am willing to be your personal chauffeur. You are an inspiring even to an old dog like me. God bless and keep up the good service to younger community. Regards, Babu Shankar.

I been watching all the episodes in this series. Its amazing that even when these are ~3 hour episodes, it never gets boring and time just flies watching Nikhil and his guests talk about their experiences and give us an insight and learnings about their industries! Bollywood movies have a tough competition with this channel, because given 3 hours to spend productively, I will definitely choose to watch and rewatch an episode here than sit for a movie 🫡

I didn't even learn 1/4th of this during my MBA. Thank you Nikhil for bringing Zorawar to this show

My goodness! Quite a podcast, and Zorawar has some lion-spirit in him. Love how Riyaaz is laid back like a polar bear and still drives his point. I think Pooja didn't get in a lot of her views, but much respect for all that she does! And Nikhil... man, he can get people to talk! Cheers and best wishes. Good to see the back-end getting some footage as well. Cheers!

I just want to tell I am a hospitality final year student at IHM, just want to say doing this job is really hard you need to be there from morning till night 12 till it is closed. Mostly 6-7 days gets 8000 as an apprentice in a 5 star hotel. I have worked at Leela, le meridien, TAJ and some domestic 5 star hotels. When ever I have a quick chat with the chefs and the f & b staffs they actually hate it. This Friday I had a quick chat with a continental chef at taj he has been working there for 7 years and he gets paid 26000 a month for coming 11 in the morning and going 12 or 1 at the night. Considering Taj's the best payer in India. He says that he haven't seen his son for 7 months don't have time Or off to go home and has high mental stress, depression and that's why everyone is leaving the industry.

As a young food business owner, I cannot begin to tell you guys how much this helps! Thoroughly enjoyed and learnt loads from this podcast. Nikhil, kudos to you.🙏🏼

At ~34min, Nikhil's questioning to Zorawar about his father reminds me of something like Sherlock would do. Crazy awareness. Killer episodes, all!

What an episode !!Im a doctor ,pediatrician ,clinical Hematoncologist and bone marrow transplanter .Nothing to do with this particular podcast professionally at-least and ended up listening to it twice !!The host is a genius so calm and has such child like curiosity and all the three guests have such amazing stories to tell .Kuods !!!!!

as a person who enjoys cooking and loves food, this is like a nat geo documentary! absolutely amazing episode.

One thing this podcast never fails to show are some eloquent ,confident speakers. Their way of interacting is actually infectious. ZORAVAR here AND KARTHIK REDDY from venture podcast are 2 such classy ppl

I don't think people understand how successful Riyaaz is. This guy is a god when it comes to Indian hospitality. I've been following him since he started the first Smoke House Deli in Mumbai.

Riyaaz has some beautiful insights to share. He knows what he is talking about. Very articulate and to the point, and as always Nikhil knows how to make conversations interesting by asking some really great questions.

OMG, what an episode. Great work Nikhil. Thanks to Riyaaz, Zorawar, Pooja for being unfiltered. Will watch this again and again.

Asking thought-provoking questions with a sense of purpose and curiosity is the key to this podcast. Nikhil has become a pro at this.

What a podcast! The in-depth discussions and insights were both entertaining and informative. It was a well-spent 3.5 hours. Well done, Nikhil and guests!

Rest all things kept constant ..I really like how the video editing is done for the podcast and how the meaning of certain words is shared

Listening to all these amazing insights for free feels like a crime. Can't remember how I started watching these podcasts but now I sit with a notebook and try and finish them in 2-3 sittings. Although being in a tier 3 city we face so many other challenges that were not discussed here. But I learn so much from each and every episode. Great initiative guys. Really grateful for all the insights shared here on this platform.

These podcasts seem very authentic. Nikhil is such a calm person and very good listener. Love his style of doing these podcasts.

Never stop making these videos Nikhil. These videos are super helpful for young guys like me. Appreciate the effort you put!

I mean its hard for nikhil to ask for the good deed he asks for at the last of the episode everytime. Kudos to him for putting that emotional effort. It matters, what you do matters, its creating an impact in the ppl's life, keep going.

I am into restaurant business since more than a decade & doing markets as well, very much relatable, experience speaks, each & every point was perfectly explained, just loved this podcast, Kudos to all ❤

Episode Frequency has been increased.. Really great to see. Once a month to twice is great and also perfect balance of exotic yet not looking too far.

Nice one, Nikhil. This EP was a surprise coming from you. Mazaa aya. Good to spend time listening to smart, accomplished people for free . It's priceless. Nikhil is gifted in a sense that he has a knack to break through the facade of otherwise reserved business folks, even complete stangers, and make it a candid conversation, which most other talk shows/podcasts fail to accomplish.

I am so grateful to you, Nikhil, for starting this series and for particularly this episode. Thank you!!! Everything from your tonality and the questions to your setup and natural rhythm of running the show, is perfect and I do not use the word lightly. This episode has been a huge help and I am glad I stumbled on it serendipitously.

Mr Zorawar is the guy you wouldn't get bored to even after listening for hours

I think there is an interesting comment by one of the chef's name Joshua, he said that in a Michelin restaurant, the chef might be getting paid minimum wage but the waiter would be rich because of tips. Only celebrity chefs actually make decent money coz they are owners of a joint.

"what part of current journey is his journey that you're trying to complete?" the quality of questions of this podcast is on another level

Zorawar - Man of ingredients (I used to think) but the respect has increased to another level after watching this. Thanks to Nikhil for this session. Please do much such sessions

Just had an unforgettable dining experience at 'This Podcast' restaurant! Every dish was a culinary masterpiece, from starters to desserts. The ambiance blends sophistication with a cozy touch, perfect for any dining occasion. A big shoutout to Pooja, Riyaaz, and Zorawar for their exceptional service and making our evening special. This place has a unique charm, making every visit memorable. Highly recommend it to everyone!

It's literally a crash course in restaurant business. Thanks a ton for doing this.

I think nikhil has mastered the art of asking questions

Zorawar Sir I worked with you during Jhalak Dikhlaja and Aap bahut talented, humble aur understanding hain. I salute you and I look upto you 🫡

Very very excited for this one! I've always been passionate about restauranting so this one's big!

Worth watching it, lots and lots of learning. Thanks Nikhil. Youths don't miss to watch Nikhil podcast. Its fully loaded with Passionated entrepreneurs

Nikhil, great work, man! You are publishing a 3-4 hours masterclass on every domain each month, and it's delivering a lot of value. Hats of to you 👏🏼 Please do an episode on "WTF is Climate Change?"

Interesting - 3.5 hours of high quality insights and really loved the way how Nikhil calmly nudges other person to talk

Being in the same industry, this was a master class with some finely learned maestros. Beautiful 🙌🙌

I’m going to be sitting in Lavonne every weekend , trying to get some funding for my restaurant

fantastic insights! Had my own cafe in a very high end street in Bangalore- can totally relate to every single challenge and POV from these veterans.

I started viewing this podcast because of Nikhil’s success, personality and approach towards life. It interested and gripped me more because of the first hand information that I’m getting from Nikhil’s guests which is rarely available on the internet. I have always loved long form contents and this has been on my top list since the time it has started. Love to see how Nikhil is starting his life all over again with a strong purpose. More power to you man 🙌. I hope we all get what we want in our lives.

Lovvve your podcasts Nikhil - you have a way of putting them at ease, really interesting questions and informative responses and love the personal angle you manage to slip in into every episode.

Respect for Zorawar Sir Your knowledge and humility make you a role model Zorawar sir 👏👏👏

Saturday Night Sorted as usual ❤❤❤

What a great episode. Thanks to the whole panel for sharing their valuable insights. Thanks Nikhil for starting this podcast channel.

I'm absolutely hooked on. Despite the lengthy runtime of almost 3 and a half hours, each episode leaves me eagerly anticipating the next. The depth and breadth of the topics discussed are truly commendable, and the engaging delivery keeps me riveted throughout. It's clear that a lot of thought and effort goes into each episode, and it's paying off. The podcast just keeps getting better and better. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to the next episode.

i have seen multiple podcasts but have never seen any team up front. I love how each and everyone came in the end to introduce. Kudos guys !!!

Every episode is a gem and the guest and topics in each episode is so priceless. Woooww .. Thanks for not shorting the content. Please keep as long as possible.. This was soo awesome..

So relate to Nikhil's questions to understand Pooja. Other people may find it odd but this curiosity comes with completely positive intentions.

Very insightful - your ability to nudge for hacks and practical tips is commendable. It helps us to uncover behind the FAFF stuff. Great episode Few comments 1. Pooja Dhingra - very filtered view with lack of actionable tips. It would be a good idea for the speakers to be pre-aligned to be unfiltered 2. How do you request business leaders to share the secrets? This is a skills I would like to learn 3. Zoravar: Very eloquent and impactful

If a 22yr old requires 50lakhs and above to start a restaurant or begin a career in F&B industry More than 90% people don't even qualify or have a financial capacity to start off, Also appreciate the efforts and time Mr. Nikhil is trying to put in to help a aspiring young entrepreneur, i truly feel that he/she should not be given a sum of 50lakhs upfront assuming that he/she would sustain and make a successful business out of it is not a right approach, i suppose money is not the only problem but actually the experience and knowledge that comes with trial and errors and working through the years, To begin with a sum of 10-15lakhs should be allocated to 3-4 individuals to start a cloud kitchen or a QSR, and let them prove themselves if they have the potential Would be great if Nikhil sir can acknowledge this

Nikhil should do one more episode with the Professionals.... chefs, managers, housekeepers and GMs.... people who really run the hospitality industry to do proper justice to this theme.....

Amazing content, I had been waiting for this since so long but I was hoping the podcast to be actually 6 hours and not cut short to 3 hours and 23 minutes. The edits did not seem to do justice but overall it was an amazing podcast. Thank you so much Nikhil for all the work that you are putting in!

Probably the best Podcast so far for the sheer enthusiasm with which Zorawar and Riyaaz shared all those insights.

Didn't expect this episode to be this great

I can’t possibly imagine paying 75 lakhs a year for any course let alone something in baking or hospitality ☠️

I really like how this channel is helping us young people who want to do something of their own but are confused as where to start, cos personally in my case I just want to start a business, I am just going through the playlist and watching all the episodes and this is definitely giving me insights on scale and challenges, please keep up the good work ❤

Thanks Nikhil and all the guests. I found it interesting how tech and AI is being used in restaurants business

Nikhil Kamath and his team are doing hell of a job with podcasts. thanks a lot guys.

Respect button for Zorawar Kalra He's a good son, uncle must be watching him from sky and feeling proud

Hey channel! We love this podcast. I personally am very fascinated with how nikhil speaks & has a certain pace. Is that something that comes to him naturally or he’s developed using techniques over the years. Books articles, recommendations are needed. I love the way he approaches everything.

I absolutely love this podcast. There is so much information and wisdom in each of them. I hope they bring in more Service based Industrialists.

I work as a Startup Mentor for a Dubai based accelerator. I love the details and nuances of businesses and the humanization of the business founders. I learn so much listening to these talks. Thank yoi Nikhil.

You can also get people from healthcare and hospital business, maybe from the pharmaceuticals business. That industry is also hard to get into and mostly dominated by the giants. A detailed discussion like this into the hospital business would be appreciated.

Amazing his question are like as if I wanted to ask them so detailed n understanding ! Interview 🎉

I don't know how much of this content is useful to me, but trust me it was so informative and super interesting discussion that I could not skip it... Awesome content and will add lot of value to someone planning to start a restaurant.. keep making more like this Nikhil ❤😊

I live in Mississauga Canada and there is Farzi cafe right next to my building at square one mall.My experience was completely sub par,food and alcohol prizes were double compared to other resutatuents and small portion sizes of food.so I think it's one big overhyped cafe chain and there is nothing great about it.I am pretty sure they must be overpriced in India as well.

Should have let Pooja answer her questions 😐 Also maybe he could have brought in Kainaz Mesman of the Theobroma that would have done more justice to desserts and patisseries space

Wow, Came back to this podcast after quite sometime, Thank you very much for this fantastic course😄 . I'm amazed on the quality and amount of knowledge you are able to give us in such a structured manner regularly👏👏.

Like how Nikhil asks personal/family questions, it really gives insights into life , psyche of a successful businessman/woman ,entrepreneur .It helps viewers compare their lives and assess where we stand in journey of life and it can help untie some knots in personal life.As humans the metric is always others lives.

Amazing content..never stop making these

Zorawar Kalra should come back for another episode!

Nikhil - We need a WTF for the real estate industry, i realized while watching this, how much real estate needs to be spoken about. I wish we could see what topics you have planned for the future! 😍 I am hooked.

I feel like I have completed a masters in running a restaurant after watching this! Great job! I really loved the emphasis on data and AI, being a data and analytics professional myself, related with all the points discussed - scarcity, quality, staleness, cost, etc. A lot of it can be addressed but not by a new/first time restaurant owner. For them, it is very important to be on field and do it a lot by themselves. Secondary research is highly recommended as a lot of literature already exists, although stale, better than not doing any research.

What a fabulous panel this one is... I've always admired Riyaz and this talk only proved why he's as successful as he is

I now know that nikhil always posts podcast on Saturday night. Cant wait to watch it

Story telling is great please keep this up. I mean you can pick up what you want nothing bombarded. Very soothing feeling

Hi Nikhil, Great Job in calling all the knowledgeable guests to your podcast. I would request you to call professionals from the agriculture business catagory as well. It hearts when we see no podcaster broadly talk about agri business. Thanks again for giving us lot of knowledge about the businesses and entrepreneurship.

ZK you make the pursuit of knowledge look effortless 💯

Zorawar has amazing insights. Theres a reason why is able to build such iconic restaurents. Great to see such a good discussion and this amazing panel. Keep up the good work.

Absolutely loved this episode! So many interesting insights.

What an episode, super helpful.. kudos to the whole team, keep shining guys!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻