The Brown Scooter January, 2015 | Page 14

2015 is all about ‘new’ with Varun Inamdar While we have always been in awe of the old, vintage and archaic, today’s times and lives are both getting more and more charged towards tapping new things to spike the consumers’ interests our palates, our experiences and styles of communication. But, do we blatantly just blame it on the changing times, or are we seriously in for venturing onto some new plateaus? Now, this is something that needs to some deep introspection. ‘Change is Inevitable’ - as the old adage goes, we still wish to cling onto the known, the tried, and the often tested. However, no matter how old one gets, there is no real reason to snarl and be unwelcoming. ‘Change’ allows us a gateway to a new world… a world full of new possibilities, exploration and experimentation in every universal and man-made aspect. The world of food and restaurants is no different. Over the last decade, hospitality industry has undergone a series of rapid transformations. The changing aspirations, choices and behavioural patterns of the consumers form a very crucial parameter that’s driving this transformation. This, combined with the entry of international players into the market, and the aggressive mushrooming of the casual and fine-dine restaurants by Indian entrepreneurs has significantly changed the industry scenario. Earlier, the food service industry comprised of numerous unorganized players and a few international brands. However, in the current situation, the industry is constantly adapting itself and evolving by identifying and setting trends, be it in culinary, service, marketing, design or most importantly, the concepts. To stay relevant to the changing customer receptivity, new and innovative concepts have begun to carve out their space. In fact, they’ve provided a leeway in setting an example, to make dining out more about a complete experience, than only about the product.