Subhabrata Maitra, Founder and MD, A Custom Palette Ltd
Subhabrata Maitra is a founder of, “A Custom Palette”, a management consultancy and investment company with a portfolio ranging from food & beverage to advertising and education business.
Podcast
Overview
Food has the power to make us bond, bring together cultures, and build new networks. It is an escape from all the stressful situations in life. With the online delivery technology and multiple cuisines available easily, the food business has tremendously grown over the years.
Today, we have with us Mr. Subhabrata Maitra, an incredible businessman with expertise in the food industry. Tune in to listen about working in the hotel business, the adoption of new technology, and the impact of food on our life.
About Subhabrata Maitra
Subhabrata Maitra is a founder of, “A Custom Palette”, a management consultancy and investment company with a portfolio ranging from food & beverage to advertising and education business. He is also a co-founder of “The Foodstore App” based in Dhaka, Bangladesh that focuses on serving food by utilising modern technology at service.
Today, we discuss with him the journey of the food business from traditional days to the present day modern technology era.
DISCUSSION
Subhabrata talks about his motivation to start his own business after spending a good 14 to 15 years in the corporate world. He shares how his experience of curating food menus for high dignitaries gave him the chance to curate the menu for India’s Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, in Bangladesh.
As we dive deeper into the conversation of the operations of the hotel business, Mr. Maitra explains the two approaches to thrive: “product innovation” and “aspiration model”.
Tips For Success In The Hotel Business
A business has to create a reputation so that the customers flock to them, even if they serve their signature dish the best. If not, they need to innovate their menu with options that are not available elsewhere.
However, it is important to touch the right taste buds even if planning product innovation. He believes no matter what we eat or where we go, authentic dishes are always here to stay.
Comfort Cuisines
We all complain of ordering the same “Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani and Roti” at our family dinners but isn’t that the easiest and tastiest escape when confused with the number of options in the menu or when you are in a far off land away from home? Subhabrata explains how it has become so popular because of its convenience to eat. People from the South Asian subcontinent also open Indian restaurants because of their love for the food.
He talks about the importance of innovation but without losing the base of authenticity. However, from his rich experience as a chef, he feels the trend of Turkish, Persian, Greek, Mexican, and South African food catching up.
Food Business Innovation
Next, we talk about the long way the food delivery business has come. Subhabrata explains the process of satellite kitchens and making dishes by putting together all ingredients.
He says: “New age food industry is modifying itself into that model where you can also probably cook if you don’t know how.”
He mentions how businesses are adopting the concept because it has become possible to make good food without an experienced chef in every kitchen.
Being a Bengali, he is working towards popularising the cuisine through his food ventures and talks more about his efforts for the same.
Profile
Born in 1981, raised by working parents, cooking became my passion while helping mom since childhood in all her daily chores and it has taken me places. Different cuisines and cultures deeply inspires the stories I tell and the food I cook.
From a young age I dreamt of becoming a chef so that I could travel the world, meet new people and create memorable meal experiences. I cooked my first dish at the age of 10 as I would help my mother prepare our meals. My passion lies in creating a value addition to the society whilst challenging my existence continuously and hence creating each and every work that are true to themselves and highlight the fundamentals of my believe to excel myself.
Whilst i was busy storming the kitchens honing my skills for last 20 years, I have completed my Masters in Business Management from Delhi University and Master Diploma in Hospitality Management from eCornel to start my entrepreneurial journey which I started walking since end of 2017.
I spearhead A Custom Palette Ltd. (ACPL) a highly skilled management consultancy and investment company with a diverse portfolio spanning from food & beverage, advertising media, information technology, architectural design-build, e-commerce and education business.
