Speciality Restaurants, the parent company behind renowned dining brands such as Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta, is setting its sights on both domestic and international expansion, founder and managing director Anjan Chatterjee reveals in an interview with FE.
A key focus of this expansion is celebrating and promoting Calcutta’s rich culinary heritage.
Oh! Calcutta, which pays homage to the diverse flavours of Calcutta, is marking its 25th anniversary this year. The brand’s journey began in Mumbai’s lanes as ‘Only Fish’, a modest venture dedicated to Calcutta’s food. Building on that foundation, Speciality Restaurants launched ‘Chourangi’ in 2021 to further introduce the city’s cuisine to a global audience.
Chatterjee credits the success of both Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta to their authentic and consistent approach. The menus are inspired by regional diversity, and early strategic investments have helped solidify their reputations as go-to destinations for Asian and Bengali cuisine.
Speciality Restaurants is also known for other popular brands, including Asia Kitchen by Mainland China, which offers a fusion of Asian cuisines, and Sigree Global Grill, celebrated for its international barbecue offerings.
As competition intensifies in the dining industry, Chatterjee emphasises the importance of consistency, a cornerstone of the company’s 30-year legacy. Looking ahead, Speciality Restaurants plans to leverage AI to streamline operations and explore new markets, with an eye on London, Dubai and the US as key destinations. Edited excerpts from the interview:
Specialty Restaurants has several brands, but Mainland China is the most popular across India. Is it because you have focused more resources and efforts on this brand compared to others?
Mainland China embarked on its journey in 1994 with a clear vision—to elevate the quality of standalone Chinese cuisine by offering a diverse range of Cantonese dishes. The brand’s popularity can be attributed to several key factors. First, the menu draws inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of four major Chinese provinces—Sichuan, Guangdong (Canton), Hunan and Shanghai, creating a harmonious balance of flavours through the concept of Yin and Yang. Additionally, Chinese cuisine stands out as the most popular foreign cuisine in India—and indeed, around the world—this universality has contributed to our brand’s appeal.
Recognising this opportunity early on, we invested our resources and efforts into establishing Mainland China as our flagship brand. We have now become synonymous with the name, reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional Chinese dining experiences.
The journey of Speciality Restaurants began with ‘Only Fish’, a venture dedicated to Calcutta’s unique culinary traditions. What inspired you to create an outlet focused on Asian cuisine?
We saw a significant gap in the market for standalone Oriental restaurants. At the time, dishes like dim sum, baby corn and other exotic vegetables were not readily available in standalone restaurants. Kolkata, with its only Chinese community in India, was the birthplace of Chinese cuisine’s popularity. Given my roots in Kolkata and my love for Chinese food, it seemed like a natural progression. My frequent travels to China for work exposed me to the rich culinary diversity of Cantonese, Hunan, and Szechuan cuisines. This realisation sparked the idea for Mainland China.
How do you differentiate your restaurants and brands in such a competitive sector? Does the demand match the supply, especially with several new brands entering the market?
In such a competitive sector, we believe that more options only enhance the dining experience. Chinese cuisine is immensely popular in India, spanning from street food to five-star dining and it’s evolving to embrace a broader Asian influence. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to consistency over the past 30 years. We understand that maintaining high-quality food and service is essential, and while it can be challenging, we have successfully upheld our legacy across more than 10 cities.
The market is competitive, but we embrace this challenge as an opportunity for growth. We continuously learn and adapt to meet our customers’ expectations, ensuring that our brands remain relevant and beloved.
What are your expansion plans for the company, both domestically and internationally? Where?
As Asian cuisine continues to rise in popularity, we are focusing on expanding our domestic footprint with Mainland China and Asia Kitchen by Mainland China. Recently, we launched Episode One in Powai, Mumbai, and opened a new outlet at Viviana Mall in Thane. We also have plans to further extend our presence in Delhi and Bengaluru. These three brands will play a crucial role in driving our growth across India.
On the international front, we are looking to expand Chourangi—our first brand in London—into the US and Dubai. Additionally, we are in discussions with prospective investors to introduce Mainland China into Europe.
You have established a presence in London. What drove this decision?
Our decision to establish a presence in London was driven by a deep appreciation for the rich culinary heritage of Calcutta, which has a 300-year legacy shaped by British, Armenian, and French influences. We recognised that the regional flavours of Calcutta’s cuisine had yet to be fully explored on a global stage.
By showcasing this underrepresented cuisine, we aimed to introduce it to a broader audience, particularly in London, known as a food capital where both traditional and contemporary cuisines thrive. Our efforts have been well-received, and we continue to earn recognition among culinary enthusiasts.
In Dubai, where 40% of the population is of Indian origin, there was a strong demand for authentic Asian cuisine. We currently operate three outlets of Asia Kitchen by Mainland China in Dubai and Oman, with plans to further expand into other GCC regions. This dual approach allows us to honour our culinary heritage while strategically tapping into diverse global markets.
You have mentioned plans to leverage AI within your brands. Can you elaborate on how you intend to implement AI and the expected impact on your operations?
To enhance productivity and elevate the customer experience, we are actively exploring the integration of AI into our business operations. By collaborating with AI experts, we aim to identify key areas for optimisation, including inventory management, customer service, and personalised marketing.
While we are still in the evaluation phase, we foresee AI having a transformative impact on our business. For example, AI-driven analytics could provide deeper insights into customer preferences, enabling us to customise our offerings with greater precision. Additionally, AI could streamline our supply chain, helping us maintain optimal inventory levels and reduce waste.
The potential benefits of AI are significant. Beyond improving operational efficiency, it could enhance customer satisfaction and foster greater loyalty, ultimately driving growth across brands. We are committed to identifying and implementing the most effective AI solutions to unlock these opportunities.
Are you planning to launch new restaurants, brands, or introduce different cuisines in the near future? Is there any plan to introduce a fine-dining establishment soon?
We are currently putting our efforts into enhancing our established brands, Mainland China, Asia Kitchen by Mainland China, and Episode, in the wet-led sector. Our strategy is to build upon our strong foundation and expand our offerings within the realm of Asian cuisine, leveraging our expertise and the exceptional talent of our chefs.
As we look ahead, we are excited about the potential for introducing new dining concepts and cuisines in the future. While our immediate focus is on solidifying our presence in these key brands, we are constantly evaluating opportunities for growth, including the possibility of launching a fine-dining establishment. Our commitment to excellence and innovation positions us well to navigate this dynamic culinary landscape, ensuring that we remain a leading choice for dining experiences that resonate with our customers.
