Indian is the UK's most loved cuisine, and Gymkhana is one of the most renowned restaurant names behind it, holding 2 Michelin stars. Their journey into retail has been brilliant to watch, so we were super excited to sit down with Karan Baxi to talk through it all, and how you can get the best fakeaway at home.

Check out Gymkhana Fine Foods: Website - LinkedIn - Instagram

Spending habits have shifted. Consumers aren't spending less, they're becoming more intentional about where the treat sits in their budget, and increasingly that's at home. M&S is the second fastest-growing supermarket in the UK. Charlie Bigham launched £35 ready meals.

Was that the opportunity you saw when you joined Gymkhana Fine Foods, or has the at-home premium moment grown beyond what anyone expected?

"I joined because Gymkhana Fine Foods' mission was, and still is, so clear; to redefine Indian cuisine at home by bringing restaurant quality flavour to retail. Once I tried the product, there were no questions of where this brand is going – it's an absolute 10/10! Indian is the UK's most loved cuisine, and the national dish is a chicken Tikka Masala! So, the understanding and appreciation is there in a big way. Additionally, takeaway purchases are down 25% since 2021, and 45% of consumers have actively reduced their spend on eating out since 2022. However, they're redirecting their spend, rather than cutting it entirely. Consumers still want quality and taste with convenience. Restaurant quality at home is now the new standard."

Gymkhana the restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2014 and picked up its second in 2024. How much has having that credential behind the brand changed the conversation with shoppers and retailers, and has the retail launch driven more people through the restaurant door too?

"It's an interesting one as no other retail brand has a 2 Michelin starred restaurant behind it. That brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, chef quality and overall brand power, alongside very high expectations. Our retail range brings Gymkhana to people who love Indian food but may never have visited our restaurant. The 2 Michelin stars signal that this isn't just "another cooking sauce". Every product must deliver the same taste, the same quality, and the same craft / precision you'd get at one of our tables in Mayfair. We're increasingly finding that retail isn't just growing the brand, it's creating a new path to the restaurant. Shoppers taste it at home, fall in love, and now want the full Gymkhana experience!"

The UK Indian takeaway market is worth £7bn, and Gymkhana Fine Foods is already the primary growth driver across total ambient sauce brands over the past 26 weeks, ahead of Heinz and Mutti, at just 12% distribution. What does the mainstream opportunity actually look like from where you're sitting?

"Our mission as I said, is to redefine Indian cuisine at home, and that means changing how the entire category is represented in UK retail. Indian is UK's #1 cuisine in foodservice by market share, the #1 driver of cooking sauce purchases, and consistently one of the two most searched cuisines online. It is also one of the most culturally embedded food occasions in this country, and yet, retail has chronically underserved it at a premium level. Crosta & Mollica have proven that you can take a premium cuisine brand to mainstream scale, without losing what makes it special. +37% revenue growth, to £67.6m, against a flat pizza category is the proof of concept. We will do the same for Indian. At 12% distribution, we are barely scratching the surface, there's so much opportunity to elevate our shoppers' mealtimes."

What's next for the range?

"Well, we're in over 1,000 grocery stores, 100's of delis, butchers, and farm shops across the country, and that number is increasing each month as brand awareness grows. As we look ahead, Tesco becomes the natural next conversation as we scale. Reaching the everyday family basket, not just the premium shopper, is the key unlock. Absolutely buzzing to say you'll be able to find us in Tesco stores nationwide from this week, launching from power aisle!

From a product and range perspective, there is a huge pipeline, which again, the chefs and the restaurant play a critical role in. For example, our tandoori dishes are some of the most beloved dishes on the Gymkhana menu. They celebrate bold, smoky flavours, and our signature marinades have reimagined our 2 Michelin dishes for shoppers to enjoy at home. These are pre-marinated meats for maximum flavour, available exclusively at Waitrose."

Check out Gymkhana Fine Foods: Website - LinkedIn - Instagram

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