Sumitt Wahall, Chief Operating Officer of True Palate Cafe Pvt Ltd, is a veteran in the hospitality industry, with over 15 years of experience in the domain. In his current role, he commands and manages the overall operations for the very popular one8 Commune, Pincode, and Neuma. A new addition to the portfolio is also the launch of Pincode, an Indian cuisine restaurant that has made its debut in Dubai and will soon bring its presence to Delhi in 2023.
In an interesting interview with Hotelier India, Sumitt Wahall shares all about his dynamic journey in the flourishing world of hospitality, his top-of-the-line restaurants, the bond he shares with his celeb co-owners and more…
You’re known to be the man with the Midas touch. Please tell us about your journey in the world of hospitality.
I began my career in 2002 at the Marriott Welcome Hotel in Saket. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with prestigious brands in India, including The Imperial, Shangri-La Hotel, Hyatt Regency Delhi, Sahara Star Hotel Mumbai, and more. Prior to joining True Palate Cafe, I held the position of President at Azure Hospitality for 11 years, overseeing operations in both India and Nepal. I joined True Palate Cafe Pvt Ltd as the COO in July 2021.
How did True Palate Café Ltd start?
The idea behind True Palate Cafe Pvt Ltd’s inception was to establish a collection of exceptional restaurants with different objectives. Our journey thus far has been defined by careful planning, unwavering commitment, and an ongoing quest for culinary perfection. The birth of our brand marked the moment when our dream of bringing together the very best in culinary experiences became a reality.
True Palate Hospitality takes pride in encompassing renowned brands such as one8 Commune by Virat Kohli, Neuma by Karan Johar, and Pincode by Chef Kunal Kapur. Each brand offers a distinct range of culinary experiences that cater to a diverse audience, open to exploring various cuisines and embracing culinary experimentation.
Could you tell us about how True Palate Café collaborated with celebs like Virat Kohli, Karan Johar and Kunal Kapoor and their association with True Palate?
Our partnership with renowned figures like Virat Kohli, Karan Johar, and Kunal Kapoor is a result of a well-thought-out strategy. Their involvement with True Palate showcases their dedication to providing extraordinary culinary experiences. This collaboration has seamlessly combined their celebrity status with our culinary expertise, creating a synergy that has resonated with our customers.
How does this collaboration work – do the celebs have a day-to-day relationship with their restaurants? What is their contribution?
While the day-to-day operations are meticulously managed by our dedicated team, the involvement of our celebrity partners is more consultative in nature. They contribute to the overarching creative process, including menu development and ambience enhancement, ensuring that their unique tastes and ideas are harmoniously integrated into the fabric of our restaurants.
Our interactions with Virat Kohli, Karan Johar, and Kunal Kapoor have been marked by a professional and collaborative spirit. Their involvement primarily revolves around offering insights and recommendations to augment the overall quality and experience, rather than dictating extensive changes to the fundamental aspects of our restaurants.
What are the challenges you faced as a restaurateur?
One significant challenge, especially in the post-COVID era, has been the difficulty in sourcing and hiring talented individuals within the hospitality industry. Due to the severe impact of the pandemic on the hospitality and F&B sectors, many skilled professionals have moved on to other industries. As a result, post-pandemic recovery has presented challenges in terms of talent acquisition.
Furthermore, the demographic aspect poses another challenge as each brand within True Palate Hospitality has a unique offering and approach. This requires a deep understanding of the target audience and catering to their diverse preferences and expectations.
Lastly, the industry’s increasing competition has been an ongoing challenge that continues to escalate. The market has become more competitive, demanding innovative strategies and exceptional execution to stand out among the competition.
Could you list a couple of professional milestones True Palate is very proud of?
We take great pride in opening 12 outlets within just two-and-a-half years following the challenges posed by COVID-19, all while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality. Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce our plan to launch an additional eight outlets in the next five months.
What are your future plans?
Our future plans encompass a strategic expansion of the True Palate brand, both on national and international scale. We want to bring our unique concepts to new places and people, while keeping True Palate’s excellent reputation. We plan to keep trying new things, exploring food, and giving our customers amazing dining experiences.
