ZORAWAR KALRA

Founder & Managing Director,
Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd.

Zorawar Kalra, the illustrious “Prince of Indian cuisine,” stands tall as the visionary who has revolutionized the culinary scene in India by introducing some of the most distinguished restaurant concepts in the country. As the face of Massive Restaurants, he proudly steers a brand renowned for pioneering culinary experiences. With Farzi Café, Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Made In Punjab, Pa Pa Ya, Younion, Bo Tai, Botai Switch, Swan, Butter Delivery, Louis Burger, and Slyce in its portfolio, the journey has been electrifying, culminating in a significant INR 160 crore investment from Gaja Capital to fuel expansion. Kalra’s visionary outlook aims to unveil properties in 10 new cities this year. While Farzi Café boasts 11 thriving outlets across India, its global presence extends to Dubai, London, Riyadh, Muscat, Qatar, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Canada, and the United States. Recent months have seen a surge in local outlets, with Chennai and Nagpur on the horizon.

Pa Pa Ya sets the stage for modern Asian cuisine with nine flourishing outlets spanning major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Ranchi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. As Farzi Café and Masala Library make international strides, the likes of BO TAI and Made in Punjab prepare for their own grand expansions.

Counted amongst one of the youngest, most successful restaurateurs of India, he reinvents Indian cuisine with his strong business acumen and a rich heritage spanning over four decades. Considered as the ‘Man with a Vision on a Mission’ & ‘The Prince of Indian Cuisine’, he has been recognized amongst the 50 Most Influential Young Indians by GQ India (thrice); GQ Men of the Year – Restauranteur of 2017; Economic Times 40 Under 40; Forbes Tycoons of Tomorrow; Restaurateur of the Year Award, 2014 & 2017, Times of India & Vir Sanghvi Awards; a Finalist in E&Y Entrepreneur of the year 2017; HT Crystals, 2014 and Entrepreneur of the Year in Service Business – F & B Services, Entrepreneur India Awards, 2014. December 2012 was a milestone for him, as it saw the launch of Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., which in its first year of operations won over 19 prestigious awards under various categories. Zorawar Kalra has also been a judge on Masterchef India Season 5.

With deeply rooted sense of patriotism, Zorawar Kalra is on a mission to revive Indian cuisine and place it on the global food map permanently. He holds the recipe for success, delectable food and humility. With a Master’s in Business Administration from Boston’s Bentley Business University, his proclivity towards path-breaking edible creations hails from his genetic love for food. An entrepreneurial bent of mind and the new encyclopaedia for all things food, he has ostensibly studied the Indian food & beverage market, introducing some of the most genre-defining restaurant concepts India has ever seen.

With a plethora of commendable brands in his kitty, it comes as no surprise that Massive Restaurants is making its mark, the ‘larger than life’ way. Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, the magnum opus of late Mr. Jiggs Kalra, present in Mumbai, is considered amongst the best restaurants in India, having won over fifteen prestigious awards within the first year of its launch in October 2013, while being appreciated by both diners and critics alike. Made in Punjab, the smart casual restaurant concept, serving traditional cuisine from the Punjab province, offers culinary masterpieces from the regions surrounding the Five Rivers. While the multi-award winning, critically acclaimed, revolutionary modern Indian bistro Farzi Café, best described as a gourmet experience, amalgamates traditional global cuisine, with Indian influences, contemporary presentations, culinary styles and an ambience with the aim to bring Indian cuisine, back “in-Vogue”. With the launch of its modern pan-Asian bistro concept Pa Pa Ya, the brand aims to completely reinvent Asian cuisine on a global scale.

Bo-Tai in Qutub, Delhi a contemporary Thai restaurant with a luxe setting and stunning cocktails, the brand pleases the palates of Thai cuisine aficionados. The brand is also open JW Marriott, Bengaluru and it opened its 3rd outlet in Goa. YOUnion, the all-day bar, is Zorawar Kalra’s homage to the millennials – or Generation Y. A revolutionary concept, YOUnion introduces many ‘firsts’ to the Indian marketplace, such as the country’s largest menu dedicated entirely to shots; entirely customized barware; a delightfully carnival-like vibe that transports patrons from the moment they enter. Entirely youth-centric with a focus on fun and comfort, the space encourages guests to kick back and relax, while enjoying the vast variety of food and drink on offer. Younion is Massive Restaurant’s latest opening. The brand opened its second outlet in Delhi.

BO-TAI Switch is a premium dining space throughout the day that switches to a high energy eclectic bar post 11 PM. Bo Tai Switch offers a wide range of contemporary popular food and beverage experience. And Swan is one of a kind of restaurant and bar with an incredible outdoor space and a breath-taking terrace overlooking the beautiful Qutub Minar serving Delhi an exhilarating gourmet Italian and Japanese cuisine.

Butter Delivery, Massive Restaurants’ first cloud kitchen-based home delivery brand is an ode to all things buttery.

Louis Burger – the signature craft burgers created as a tribute to the legend Louis Lassen for introducing the concept of the burger to the world. To make sure it does justice to the great man, the team at Massive Restaurants has conceptualized, researched and worked on these masterpieces for over a year.

Slyce Pizza – Pizza makes the world go round, literally and figuratively, the team at Massive Restaurants has conceptualized, researched and worked on these masterpieces for over 2 years to perfect the craft of making it your go to Pizza. The ingredients chosen are from far and wide, locally and globally giving you the perfect harmony of flavours and ensuring a party for your taste buds each time you bite into a Slyce pizza.

Mr Kalra spends his free time with his family including his two kids, playing golf and his deep love for computer games.