Latest news with #ArjyoBanerjee
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Corporate cafeterias' menus undergo a healthy makeover
A health revolution is silently sweeping India Inc cafeterias as employees become more health conscious spurred by a rising trend of early lifestyle-related diseases. Protein-rich meals, diabetic-friendly/low-GI food, vegan or gluten-free alternatives, homestyle food with less oil and spices, and even 'recovery-focused plates' for fitness buffs are gaining currency. Companies such as Capgemini, Hindustan Unilever, Larsen & Toubro, Accenture, Razorpay, and Myntra say they have initiated steps to promote healthy eating, food literacy, and conscious choices at their workplaces, viewing meals as a strategic input to drive energy, mood, and performance. Corporates are opting for meals with less processed sugar and saturated fat, better hydration options, and those that are nutrient-dense and energising. Some are even setting up employee wellness counters, say food service providers like Compass Group and Rassense. 'There's been a significant rise in clients prioritising healthier food choices. Over 40% of our clients have requested health-centric menu transformations,' said chef Arjyo Banerjee, chief culinary officer at Compass Group India. 'These are built on the belief that small nutritional changes at work can boost employee productivity, improve energy levels, and reduce absenteeism.'Compass Group introduced healthier grain swaps like millets and brown rice; fermented items like kombucha and raita to aid gut health; functional foods such as lemon-infused buttermilk and sprouts, and wellness-led counters. Calorie Information Desserts are whipped up with jaggery, dates, and fruits, while favourites like biryanis, dosas, and pulao are reimagined with millets and quinoa. Technology, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), Global Capability Centres (GCCs), pharmaceuticals, education and consulting — featuring younger, more healthconscious workforces, and largely sedentary job roles — are leading the change. So, one can find calorie information on the food ordering app at Capgemini — it also hosts mindful eating sessions. At Razorpay, Manipal Hospitals' nutritionists and dieticians curate weekly food plans; HUL offers calorielabelled, portion-controlled dishes and personalised dietary counselling. Accenture's Purple Corridors programme promotes wellbeing as a collective responsibility at a team level, while even legacy companies like L&T opened diet-food counters at key office health-related concerns among employees are fuelling the shift. At L&T, annual health checkup data revealed a spike in lifestyle-related conditions such as high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. To counter this, the engineering and construction conglomerate adopted a holistic, preventive healthcare approach — with nutritious food access playing a critical role, said Dr Divyang Shah, headmedical services & community health centres at L& recent months, cafeteria menus have been enhanced to offer balanced meals prepared with minimal oil — with guidance from internal and external nutrition experts. HUL, through its 'Healthier U' programme, developed in collaboration with the Workforce Nutrition Alliance, rolled out several initiatives to promote balanced eating. These include reducing salt, sugar, and oil intake, and adding local nutrient-dense superfoods. 'Our food courts carry visual nutrition guides and educational signage to encourage informed food choices,' said a HUL spokesperson. These efforts are enhancing employee physical health, evidenced by reported improvements in blood sugar levels, weight management, and hypertension control, according to HUL.'We believe that employee well-being begins with everyday choices—starting with what's on our plates,' noted Vijay Chandramohan, head of corporate real estate services (CRES)-India and APAC at Capgemini. 'By introducing calorie labelling, expanding healthy food options, and offering expert-led sessions on mindful eating, we're empowering people to make informed decisions. This reflects our commitment to a workplace culture rooted in health, awareness, and long-term well-being.' Across companies, employee feedback is playing a key role in shaping food offerings. Razorpay, for instance, has a dedicated food feedback channel on messaging company Slack where employees share suggestions and preferences. These are reviewed by teams and shared with food vendors for implementation wherever feasible.'Several enhancements to our menu have come from employee feedback. For instance, the introduction of healthier evening snacks and add-ons like salads and beans resulted from suggestions raised during town halls and focus group discussions,' said Chitbhanu Nagri, senior vice-president -people operations, online fashion and lifestyle retailer Myntra, the cafeteria offers varied healthy options — from detox water and fresh juices like tulsi-lime and kokum, to salads and seasonal fruits — and continues to evolve based on employee preferences, said Govindraj MK, CHRO.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Corporate cafeterias' menus undergo a healthy makeover
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A health revolution is silently sweeping India Inc cafeterias as employees become more health conscious spurred by a rising trend of early lifestyle-related diseases . Protein-rich meals, diabetic-friendly/low-GI food, vegan or gluten-free alternatives, homestyle food with less oil and spices, and even 'recovery-focused plates' for fitness buffs are gaining such as Capgemini, Hindustan Unilever , Larsen & Toubro, Accenture, Razorpay, and Myntra say they have initiated steps to promote healthy eating , food literacy, and conscious choices at their workplaces, viewing meals as a strategic input to drive energy, mood, and are opting for meals with less processed sugar and saturated fat, better hydration options, and those that are nutrient-dense and energising. Some are even setting up employee wellness counters, say food service providers like Compass Group and Rassense. 'There's been a significant rise in clients prioritising healthier food choices. Over 40% of our clients have requested health-centric menu transformations,' said chef Arjyo Banerjee, chief culinary officer at Compass Group India. 'These are built on the belief that small nutritional changes at work can boost employee productivity, improve energy levels, and reduce absenteeism.'Compass Group introduced healthier grain swaps like millets and brown rice; fermented items like kombucha and raita to aid gut health; functional foods such as lemon-infused buttermilk and sprouts, and wellness-led are whipped up with jaggery, dates, and fruits, while favourites like biryanis, dosas, and pulao are reimagined with millets and quinoa. Technology, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), Global Capability Centres (GCCs), pharmaceuticals, education and consulting — featuring younger, more healthconscious workforces, and largely sedentary job roles — are leading the one can find calorie information on the food ordering app at Capgemini — it also hosts mindful eating sessions. At Razorpay, Manipal Hospitals' nutritionists and dieticians curate weekly food plans; HUL offers calorielabelled, portion-controlled dishes and personalised dietary counselling. Accenture's Purple Corridors programme promotes wellbeing as a collective responsibility at a team level, while even legacy companies like L&T opened diet-food counters at key office health-related concerns among employees are fuelling the shift. At L&T, annual health checkup data revealed a spike in lifestyle-related conditions such as high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. To counter this, the engineering and construction conglomerate adopted a holistic, preventive healthcare approach — with nutritious food access playing a critical role, said Dr Divyang Shah, headmedical services & community health centres at L& recent months, cafeteria menus have been enhanced to offer balanced meals prepared with minimal oil — with guidance from internal and external nutrition experts. HUL, through its 'Healthier U' programme, developed in collaboration with the Workforce Nutrition Alliance, rolled out several initiatives to promote balanced eating. These include reducing salt, sugar, and oil intake, and adding local nutrient-dense superfoods. 'Our food courts carry visual nutrition guides and educational signage to encourage informed food choices,' said a HUL spokesperson. These efforts are enhancing employee physical health, evidenced by reported improvements in blood sugar levels, weight management, and hypertension control, according to HUL.'We believe that employee well-being begins with everyday choices—starting with what's on our plates,' noted Vijay Chandramohan, head of corporate real estate services (CRES)-India and APAC at Capgemini. 'By introducing calorie labelling, expanding healthy food options, and offering expert-led sessions on mindful eating, we're empowering people to make informed decisions. This reflects our commitment to a workplace culture rooted in health, awareness, and long-term well-being.'feedback is playing a key role in shaping food offerings. Razorpay, for instance, has a dedicated food feedback channel on messaging company Slack where employees share suggestions and preferences. These are reviewed by teams and shared with food vendors for implementation wherever feasible.'Several enhancements to our menu have come from employee feedback. For instance, the introduction of healthier evening snacks and add-ons like salads and beans resulted from suggestions raised during town halls and focus group discussions,' said Chitbhanu Nagri, senior vice-president -people operations, online fashion and lifestyle retailer Myntra, the cafeteria offers varied healthy options — from detox water and fresh juices like tulsi-lime and kokum, to salads and seasonal fruits — and continues to evolve based on employee preferences, said Govindraj MK, CHRO.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coffee Island brings India's first European Coffee Culture with its launch in Gurugram
Opens its first store in India at HQ27 Gurugram in partnership with Vita Nova Aims to expand presence by establishing 5 outlets in NCR by March 2025 and 20 outlets across the country by March 2026 GURGAON, India, Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Coffee Island today announced its debut in India in partnership with Vita Nova. This strategic entry marks a significant milestone for the brand as it forays into one of the world's most dynamic coffee markets to offer a distinctive European Coffee Culture experience. Located at HQ27 in Gurgaon, the new Coffee Island outlet showcases the brand's signature and proprietary in-house roasting process and an impressive selection of Global Single Estate Beans, Global Blends and unique Home Blends. Over the past six months, the Coffee Island R&D team has been working closely with experts including 'Asia's first Coffee lady', Mrs. Sunalini Menon, to create uniquely curated and ethically sourced repertoire of beverages. Guests can indulge in a diverse menu of specialty coffee drinks, including Spanish Bombon, Mocha Espressione, Coffeeccino, Freddo Espresso Ristretto, Signature Iced Latte, Vietnamese Shakerato, Proffees and Bumble Coffee. It also has an interesting range of non-coffee beverages such as, Granitas, Milk Shakes, Flavoured Hot and Cold Chocolates, amongst others. The exceptional coffee experience will be complemented by a carefully curated selection of freshly prepared food options, crafted by one of the most distinguished chefs in the country, Chef Arjyo Banerjee. The comprehensive menu boasts of artisanal sandwiches, toasted melts, classic pasta dishes, and fresh & healthy salads. The signature savoury items include Peperoncini Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Mediterranean Quinoa Bliss Bowl, and Roasted Tomato Basil Bocconcini Pide. On the sweet side, notable highlights include creative desserts such as Banoffee with Nolen Gur, Rocky Road Muffins, and Custard-filled Croissants. A key highlight of this launch is the exclusive loyalty program, which offers unparalleled rewards and a seamless way for customers to feel more connected to the brand from Day 1. Offering an end-to-end experience, the brand is launching a diverse range of retail products, including Cold Brews, Instant Coffee, Iced Tea, Pour Overs, and more, allowing for consumers to enjoy the brand's unique taste even at home and on the go. Commenting on the launch, Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO, Coffee Island, said, "We are excited to introduce the Coffee Island brand to India. The country's vibrant coffee culture and increasing demand for premium experiences present a compelling opportunity for strategic growth, and we are glad to have partnered with Vita Nova as we debut in this dynamic market. While strategic expansion remains a priority, our core objective is to consistently deliver exceptional coffee quality at affordable prices nationwide. Our vision is to bridge the gap in the Indian café market and foster a European Coffee Culture amongst Indian coffee enthusiasts by providing the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that have made us a globally trusted name over the last 25 years." Coffee Island has ambitious plans for expansion in India, aiming to establish a robust presence in the country. The company intends to open 20 outlets by March 2026 and further increase its footprint to 250 outlets by 2029. The initial rollout will commence in Delhi NCR, paving the way for nationwide expansion, with upcoming locations in key cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Additionally, Coffee Island, in partnership with Vita Nova, will also venture into neighbouring markets, including Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Maldives, in the near future. Pratyush Kumar Sureka, Founder, Vita Nova, and second-time entrepreneur, and Samit Khanna, Co-founder and former growth head at Pizza Hut, Yum! started Vita Nova with a shared promise; a promise to deliver quality with value; and to do it with a passionate and fun-loving team. Pratyush Kumar Sureka, Founder, Vita Nova, said, "At Vita Nova, we are driven by an unwavering passion for crafting extraordinary culinary experiences. Our partnership with Coffee Island marks a significant milestone, as we introduce an authentic European Coffee Culture to India for the first time. We believe Coffee Island plugs all the gaps currently in the Indian Café Industry with a fun, young and vibrant culture where all are welcome to have meaningful conversations over sumptuous experiences. This strategic collaboration caters to the growing demand for premium coffee experiences among Indian consumers, who are increasingly seeking high-quality and unique offerings. We look forward to expanding Coffee Island's presence across India and neighbouring regions." With outlets worldwide, Coffee Island's commitment goes beyond exceptional coffee. The brand is deeply rooted in sustainability, ensuring that all its coffee is sourced ethically and from small and underpaid farmers and all its coffee waste from its cafes are upcycled into making daily use products. The brand also embraces environmentally conscious practices in its operations, from eco-friendly packaging to energy-efficient store designs, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable coffee culture globally. Even their disposable cups are biodegradable where each cup has a potential to turn into a beautiful plant. About Coffee Island Coffee Island opened its doors in 1999, in Patras Greece with a coffee shop as its sole asset. Today, our coffee shop network is spread across Greece, Cyprus, UK, UAE, Canada, Switzerland, Egypt, Dubai, Hongkong, Romania amongst other countries; simultaneously establishing our own coffee production and processing units that provide our coffee shops with a wide variety of the best coffee beans the world has to offer. In 2009, Coffee Island developed Coffee-to-go services to cater to the needs of an increasingly mobile consumer. At present, Coffee Island puts sustainable production methods at the core of its growth plans. We are certified for our quality assurance production techniques through the ISO 22000 certification, a testament to the quality of our coffee, our production capacities and our competitive price offering. Since November 2016, May 2017 and November 2019 three more links has been added to our chain. Through Knowledge, Dedication, Love and Artistry two more coffee shop has been added to Coffee Island's family, this time in London of the United Kingdom, Toronto, Canada and Dubai. Coffee Island are proud members of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Four of our team-members are SCAE Authorized Trainers who support our investments in the training and continuous development of our staff while another four are "Q-Graders", certified by the Coffee Quality Institute. Our commitment to coffee excellence, staff training, excellent customer service, and our enduring relationships with more than 220,000 coffee lovers, led to Coffee Island being nominated as the 'Best Coffee Chain of Southern Europe' in EU's Coffee Awards. Despite our achievements, we at Coffee Island don't rest on our laurels. Our vision is to use our innovative business model to weather market turbulences, achieve sustainable business results and grow further; and in a world evolving at breakneck speed, to do so needs increasing speed, mobility and agility. Our overarching promise is to offer on-the-go conveniences without compromising on quality. About Vita Nova Vita Nova is a leading gourmet food and beverage company in India, dedicated to introducing global brands that deliver authenticity, innovation, and quality at value to Indian consumers. Photo: View original content to download multimedia:
