{"id":21978,"date":"2019-12-15T11:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-12-15T11:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.posist.com\/restaurant-times\/?p=21978"},"modified":"2023-08-24T17:19:01","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T11:49:01","slug":"amit-bagga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.posist.com\/restaurant-times\/foodpreneurs\/amit-bagga.html","title":{"rendered":"1950s North Indian Fare Makes a Comeback with Daryaganj"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amit Bagga, Co-Founder & CEO, Daryaganj Restaurant, originates from a family dealing in the automobile business. He has been in the hospitality industry for ten years now. Amit was always very enthusiastic about the restaurant industry and wanted to make a career in the same. Daryaganj Restaurant, a North Indian cuisine restaurant, was conceptualised with the principle of celebrating the culinary legacy of Late Kundan Lal Jaggi and the resilience and innovation of the Hindu Punjabi refugees. It creates best in class dining experiences evocative of a bygone era. Amit makes sure all the five senses of a patron are engaged positively, and they end up having a memorable experience at Daryaganj!<\/span><\/p>\n

In Conversation With Amit Bagga Of Daryaganj<\/b><\/h2>\n

In an exclusive conversation with The Restaurant Times<\/a>, Amit Bagga talks of his journey in the industry, the story behind Daryaganj, ensuring corporate social responsibility, and a lot more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inspiration Behind Daryaganj<\/b><\/h3>\n

Daryaganj is conceptualised to celebrate the legacy of Raghav Jaggi\u2019s ( Founder and Promoter) grandfather, who was one of the pioneers of the Tandoori cuisine and often credited for making it famous all over the globe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a time when I realized that there were a lot of bars and pubs opening in Delhi but there was no one in the market serving classic north Indian cuisine. Majority of them were doing continental or fusion food. In order to fill the void in the market, we thought of coming up with classic North Indian cuisine. Daryaganj aims to recreate the meal of many courses specially crafted to showcase the history of Tandoori cuisine and its evolution,\u201d says Bagga.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

The motto of Daryaganj is to awaken forgotten flavours on the palate, the unacknowledged tastes of nostalgia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What Is Daryaganj All About?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Daryaganj is a place which brings forth the same old age recipes, the same quality of food that was served at the original establishment but in a more contemporary setting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bagga mentions that at Daryaganj, they try to bring all the five senses alive.<\/strong> The interiors at Daryaganj implicative of the bygone era with wood carvings. Wooden surfaces make the area <\/span>feel warmer and cosier, and they also have a calming effect. The ambience is engaging with a coalition of Indian art, calligraphed floor tiles, faux marble mosaic and brass to create a niche look.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Daryaganj, they are very particular about selecting the right collection, which matches their d\u00e9cor and dishes. They have customized porcelain plates along with brass platters and bowls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sense of taste comes alive when robust Indian flavours are brought to life using fresh local produce. All age-old recipes have been reworked to be closest to the way they were served in the 1950s. The dishes that were invented then will be clearly marked as the original on the menu, like “The Original Butter Chicken” and “The Original Dal Makhani”.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The sense of hearing has also been paid attention to. The music played at Daryaganj is carefully selected. It is also kept in sync with the bygone era of the 50s. They usually play the cover version of the old songs by new artists. The music is eloquent and unplugged.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Everything at Daryaganj, from the crockery to the sources of entertainment, is in coordination with keeping the age-old techniques alive.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Role Of Cockpit and Anti Theft Feature In The Operations<\/b><\/h3>\n

Technological advancements<\/a> are changing every element of a typical restaurant\u2019s operations, from how diners make reservations to how managers track inventory. Convenience, Data, Delivery and Online\/Mobile ordering are key areas where maximum up-gradation is happening in restaurant technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amit Bagga has been using Posist<\/a> at his outlet. The Cockpit App helps him in viewing detailed reports about his restaurant business and make smart decisions to increase revenues \u2014 the real-time updates about the restaurant help in reducing the dependency on the restaurant manager for business reports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe food cost is kept in control<\/a> by keeping a check on the purchases, of what is selling and what is not. It helps in creating a stronger plan for the future. It also helps in reducing the spoilage and unnecessary wastage,\u201d says Bagga.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Anti Theft feature<\/a> helps him to keep a check on the fraudulent activities going on in the restaurant. Even if there is the slightest of inconvenience, the Anti Theft App helps in tracking it efficiently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have CCTVs installed all over; it helps me to be all the more sure while using the Anti Theft App. I can watch my employees as well. The feature effortlessly helps me to view the employee details and the transactions they are involved in, keeping a close check on the internal pilferage and the staff involved,\u201d says Bagga.\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

Role Of Corporate Social Responsibility\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Restaurant owners have realized the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)<\/a> which essentially means doing the right thing for employees, community and even towards the Earth. It has certainly become a substantial aspect of the restaurant industry. CSR is generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Daryaganj, CSR is fulfilled towards the employees, customers and community in the following ways:<\/span><\/p>\n

The education expenses of junior employees\u2019 kids are sponsored by Daryaganj. All the employees are covered with medical insurance. Bagga mentions that companies usually forget about the mental health of the employees working for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have regular counselling sessions for our employees. Psychiatrists are called to assess their physical and mental symptoms,\u201d says Bagga.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

For the customers, they ensure that high quality and hygienic food is served. Daryaganj never compromises on the quality of the food. For the community as a whole, they are soon starting with the concept of distributing food to the underprivileged section of the society.<\/span><\/p>\n

CSR is a vital tool to boost business and employee morale, it brings in a sense of pride in the organisation, engenders teamwork and is a source of inspiration and connectedness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Four Strategic Learnings From Amit Bagga\u2019s Journey<\/b><\/h3>\n

The four major strategic learnings from Bagga\u2019s journey are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n