Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna's Bungalow Hospitality Investments has partnered with New York-based Kolkata Chai Co. This strategic investment includes menu integration across Bungalow's restaurant portfolio, with signature chai set to feature this summer. Actor Hasan Minhaj is also an investor, underscoring the growing prominence of South Asian cuisine in the US.
Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna is expanding his influence in the U.S. culinary scene through a strategic partnership with Kolkata Chai Co. Khanna's newly formed Bungalow Hospitality Investments has made a significant investment in the New York-born chai brand. This collaboration signifies a key moment for South Asian food in America.
Menu Integration and Expansion
The deal will see Kolkata Chai's authentic Indian chai blends integrated into the menus of Bungalow Hospitality Management's New York City restaurants, including GupShup and the upcoming Punjab Meet House, starting this summer. Limited-time collaborative menu items are also planned for the fall.
Kolkata Chai Co. was founded in 2019 by siblings Ani and Ayan Sanyal with the mission of introducing millions of Americans to authentic Indian chai. The company operates cafes in New York City and offers a diverse range of chai blends and concentrates through its direct channels and national retail partners.
Growing Investor Interest
This move follows actor and comedian Hasan Minhaj's investment and partnership with Kolkata Chai Co. in 2024, which aims to broaden the brand's reach through content and cultural storytelling. Minhaj lauded Khanna's involvement as an "exciting moment" for the company.
Bungalow Hospitality Investments, co-led by Khanna and restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi, is established to build and support emerging food and hospitality brands. Kolkata Chai Co. represents their inaugural investment, a choice reportedly stemming from Khanna's personal affinity for chai and his endorsement of the brand's commitment to authenticity and quality.
The partnership arrives as South Asian food and beverages gain significant traction in the United States. Both Kolkata Chai and Bungalow Foods, a consumer packaged goods line co-founded by Khanna and Rizvi, are aiming to lead this burgeoning market segment.