Gauri Khan's Restaurant Torii Saw 'Increased' Sales After Fake Paneer Row, Reveals Chef

News18

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Torii is Gauri Khan's first restaurant. It is located in Mumbai's Bandra.
Gauri Khan's Torii was recently in the news after a content creator claimed that the restaurant served 'fake paneer". The claim was made on the basis of the iodine test that went viral on Instagram. The stakeholders issued a statement, denying this allegation and explaining the science behind the test. In a recent chat with SCREEN, Head Chef Stefan Gadit opened up about the impact of the controversy.
Stefan said, 'It makes an impact when we point fingers at something baseless. The quality, the ingredients, everything we provide is top-notch; we had nothing to worry about. We issued the statement so that people could know what is happening and how things are done."
He added, 'There is a lot of stuff going on with food chemistry and food science, it takes four years, just pouring something on something was just…don't get me wrong. He did that with his pure intentions, just wanted to check."
When asked if he had spoken to the content creator, Stefan said, 'We did speak to the gentleman and tried to get a sense of how things are done in the culinary world and how food science works. He understood and took off the post. We, as a team, as the management, believe that people are smart enough to understand what was going on."
Reflecting on how the controversy impacted business, Stefan shared, 'It increased our business and I got more than 20-30 followers on Instagram, so that was a blessing in disguise, I would say."
For the unversed, Gauri Khan ventured into the hospitality industry with her debut restaurant, Torii, located in Mumbai's vibrant Bandra neighbourhood. The establishment, which opened its doors in February 2024, offers a unique blend of Latin-Asian fusion cuisine in a setting that reflects Khan's signature style.
The name Torii is inspired by the traditional Japanese gate found at the entrance of Shinto shrines, symbolising the transition from the mundane to the sacred. Khan's design philosophy for the restaurant incorporates this concept, aiming to create an immersive dining experience that transports guests into a world of refined elegance. Culinary direction at Torii is led by Chef Stefan Gadit, whose international experience influences the innovative menu.
First Published:
June 09, 2025, 19:45 IST