Daijiworld Media Network - Business Desk

Dubai / Abu Dhabi, Mar 6 : Connoisseurs of food  often go weak at the mere mention of food.  It is one of the pleasures of life  which everyone loves to indulge in.  It is now generally believed that  dining out is the most efficient, convenient and enjoyable way of satiating the ever evolving taste buds of humans whenever they want to treat themselves,  their family, relatives or friends.  Eating out  is no more a luxury these days. Cafes, 

Hotels and restaurants all over the world cater to the gastronomical needs of the people with a variety of tantalizing cuisine from across the globe,  to suit their palates and pockets.  The chain of restaurants and cafes belonging to  NMC group have been creating ripples in the hospitality industry in the UAE  as these outlets have  heralded a paradigm shift in the  way the  hospitality business in carried out in this part of the world.  They have infused  a new  wave of ideas and  creativity in  restaurants, resulting in  dishing  out diverse and enticing dishes that gourmets vouch for.  

In fact NMC group of Dr B R Shetty, which owns, operates and manages a chain of healthcare facilities and pharmacies in Abu Dabhi, Dubai, Al Ain and Sharjah,   ventured  into the food and beverage business way back in 1987.  It got into the restaurant business with a view to ensure quality of the food delivered to the in-patient wards at the hospitals, the staff and their institutions.  “The food we supplied to our words and the staff was highly appreciated.  Even the customers were  positive about our food  which inspired us to go ahead with a new found passion. We are proud to say that we have been able to retain our clientele even while adding new to our existing list and have maintained the standard of our signature dishes”, says Ms Seema Shetty, Executive Director of NMC Group of Companies. 

Today their exclusive outlets BiteRite Cafes, Foodlands, Foodworld, Zari Zardozi and Market Place, Lotus Hospitality and many other outlets which have mushroomed in UAE,  have  been  doing roaring business.  In the last few years the group has witnessed phenomenal growth,   creating a niche market  in the competitive field of  hospitality industry.

Customer – the King

“We give our customers what they want even before they ask, without them asking how and when.  Customers  are very simple people and we just have to satisfy their needs”, says a dynamic Seema Shetty, attributing the success of her chain of restaurants and cafes.  A young and spirited Seema, who joined the healthcare business empire  founded by her father and mentor Dr B R Shetty in 2004,  has infused  a kind of oomph  into the hospitality industry  by promoting  a healthy confluence of “guilt-free-hunger” for the health and diet conscious foodies  and also  by pandering to the taste buds of the gourmets with a heady mixture of Indian traditional food with the one influenced by the modern culture.   Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Boston University, she has succeeded in converting  her ideas into reality with her unflinching strength and acumen, to taste triumph in every venture she is associated with.

Seema is a foodie to the core and the creation of BiteRite for health conscious people was her brain child  which took off  to a flying start in 2006.  As its founder and director she has been the force behind the emergence of BiteRite as a successful  brand with her brand of ideas.  However, running a chain of restaurants successfully is not an easy as it is envisaged.   One has to be creative, innovative  and create a an aura  about the outlet and also try to maintain the same tempo.  “The best part of this industry is the new tastes and ideas that sprout from here.  Through BiteRite we have tried to inculcate lifestyle education around its system by making modifications to dishes such as Butter Chicken and Biryani to provide a ‘guilt-free-indulgence’ to diet conscious customers.  At Foodlands and Foodworld we are offering  new cuisine from all over the globe.  At our award-winning Zari Zardozi restaurant we have diverse Indian cuisine as well a fusion of assorted  delicacies, tastes and spices”, Seema reasons. 

Heady Mix

Zari Zardozi  was  started in 2004  and it has been an exhilarating and satisfying  journey as it panders to the taste-buds of gourmets in a distinctive way.  It is a coalesced of Indian traditions and  modern cultural influences from across the globe, so as to give the best to the customers who are in search of the right blending of tradition and modernity when it comes to food.  Within a short span of time the four distinct operations of Zari Zardozi -  namely, Zari Restaurant, Z’dozi Lounge, Zardozi Hukka and Marketplace,  have been able to make their presence felt and that too in style.  Within the first year it won the “what’s on-best  Newcomer 2005” award.  It followed that with the “Best  Indian Restaurant 2006 – Time Out and went on to add another crowning glory by winning the Time Out’s “Highly commended Indian Restaurant”  for 2007 and 2009. 

Some of the successful and most sought-after dishes churned out from the creative impulses  of chefs of these outlets have certainly alchemized the eating out habits of the people. The Biryani they dish out is one of the tastiest and is sure to bring a chuckle on the face of the customers.  The promotional campaign they had launched for  Rajasthani cuisine in Al Ain  was a smash hit and so is their signature product  Tandushi.  Tandushi was created to gratify those customers who were averse  or reluctant to try Indian food and spices.  The restaurant therefore came out with an  exhilarating dish -  a combination of tandoor and  the then popular Sushi. The dish hit the bulls eye and was highly appreciated by Indian and other experimental customers.  The Japanese customers were also quite taken by the dish and came asking for it,  which prompted the restaurant to make the dish  a permanent part of the menu.  At BiteRite Cafes the chefs have  come out with cakes which are safe to diabetics.  “We have the best variety available for very special occasions so that everyone can be a part of the real celebrations”, contends Seema.  

On the Toes

Hospitality industry is quite competitive and one has to be on the toes with a penchant for ingenuity and also with an ability to take risks. Every day is a new day with newer challenges and experiences which calls for painstaking efforts, a great deal of attention, monitoring and training.   “We gave to ensure that the food we provide to our clientele is consistent and beyond their expectations.  We have to make sure that it is delivered with felicity and efficiently”, Seema states.  The company believes in giving the customers what they want depending on their tastes and culinary preferences.  The company  also believes in having fun in what they do and sharing the same with the customers.  It gives importance to taking customer’s feedback to fire their imagination and creative input.   Every feedback form is read thoroughly to know the customer’s mind on food, service, ambience and other aspects of hospitality. 

Emboldened by the success of their outlets, the company is all set to open two more branches of BiteRite Café in Abu Dhabi.  What is more, it is also getting ready to open its first food and beverage outlet outside UAE with the opening of Zari Zardozi,  on Double Road in Bangalore.  Bangaloreans can soon look forward to savor some of the exotic and authentic Arab and Persian delicacies.  The company believes in  providing the taste of dining out along with a subtle doze of    entertainment,  by introducing  the unique art and culture forms of India to the residents and tourists in Bangalore.   “It is going to be an exclusive and one of its kind of restaurant”, exults Seema, who seems to be quite thrilled at the very idea of making a foray outside UAE. 

The Softer Side

NMC group of companies are not guided by temporary or monetary gains alone. “We have been trying to build healthy communities by making accessible the right kind of food to the people.  We have also brought about an awareness about health by making people more fit, confident and healthier.  We believe that food is like medicine, but it only tastes much better”, Seems  declares.  

The company has contributed in its own way to community service.  Their  outlets have catered to the needs of the visiting armies, have provided free food for the embassy staff and volunteers during the time of amnesty.  Charitable services are also provided to a number of organizations who are in need of support.  

NMC group of companies believes in doing business in its own unique way with a predilection for excellence.    It has a pervious mind when it comes to assimilating new ideas in the cuisine or by making modifications to the existing one to make it a ‘guilt free and enjoyable indulgence’. 

The ultimate aim of these outlets is to prove five star hotel quality food and services at reasonable prices, a deal which is simply irresistible. Try it out, and you  will know  what we really mean. 

More on NMC's restaurants :

www.foodworld.ae
www.foodlands.com