As Diwali draws closer, kitchens across North America are getting ready for the season of food, family and togetherness. And this year, Laxmi is making the celebrations even more exciting.

For the second consecutive year, Laxmi has partnered with renowned chef and NDTV Food Awardee Chef Kunal Kapur for Diwali Delights with Laxmi featuring Chef Kunal Kapur, a special six-episode YouTube series bringing the joy of Diwali to life through easy, flavourful and inspired fusion recipes made with quality Laxmi products.

Following the success of last year’s series, Chef Kunal Kapur is back with simple recipes that bring together traditional Diwali flavors and a modern twist. Each episode is designed for real home kitchens- easy enough for busy families, yet delicious enough to make every festive meal feel special.

The first episode premiered on September 9, kicking off a season of cooking, celebrating and creating new Diwali memories.

“Partnering with Laxmi for a second year is truly special,” says Chef Kunal Kapur. “Diwali is about coming together, celebrating traditions and, of course, enjoying great food. With Laxmi’s authentic products, we’re bringing that spirit to life in a way that is easy, creative and enjoyable for families everywhere. Because when it comes to celebrating with quality and tradition, Laxmi Hain Naa!”- Kunal Kapur, Chef

But the celebrations don’t stop at the kitchen.

and this year, Laxmi is giving families across the U.S. an even bigger reason to participate. With the ‘Dream Big, Win Bigger This Festival!’ Diwali Sweepstakes, you could be the next lucky winner, with exciting prizes including a luxury car, gold coins, smartphones, TVs and much more.

All it takes is picking up a Laxmi product and entering the sweepstakes. Because this Diwali, the next big winner could be you.

So whether you’re cooking up a festive feast, trying a new recipe of Chef Kunal, or simply picking up your favourite Laxmi products for Diwali, there’s plenty to look forward to this season.

“Building on last year’s success, we’re delighted to partner with Chef Kunal Kapur and bring back the Giveaway once again,” shared the Laxmi team. “It’s a wonderful way to bring warmth, joy and delicious Indian fusion recipes made with quality Laxmi products to Diwali celebrations across North America.” – Suhasinee Patil, VP Marketing Hos Global Foods

For over five decades, Laxmi has brought authentic South Asian flavors and traditions to North American homes. Founded in 1972, Laxmi is trusted for quality products and authentic ingredients that bring the taste of home to every table.

This Diwali, Laxmi and Chef Kunal Kapur invite families to cook, celebrate, share and dream big because Laxmi Hain Naa

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., age 18+. Void outside the 50 U.S./D.C. and where prohibited. Starts 12:00:01 AM ET on 09/01/26; ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 12/31/26. Total ARV of all prizes: $78,460. Odds of winning will depend on the number of entries received for each drawing.  Limit: Ten (10) entries per person per day. For full Official Rules, visit www.laxmihos.com. Sponsor: House of Spices India Inc., 3000 Marcus Avenue, Suite 2W10, Lake Success, NY 11042.

Pune, Maharashtra | July 15, 2025 – In an era where India’s Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market is flooded with imitation menus and homogenized tastes, one brand is rapidly carving a niche by doing the opposite—delivering authentic, deeply rooted North Indian cuisine with a fresh perspective. Papa Biji aur Makhani (PBM), the flagship QSR venture from Trijya Foods and Beverages LLP, is on a mission to open 100 outlets across India over the next 24 months.

PBM currently operates successful outlets in Nashik, Nagpur, Ahilyanagar (Pune), Thane, Dombivli, and Mumbai (Prabhadevi), with 20 more outlets in advanced stages of launch across 15 cities including Kolhapur, Shirdi, Shegaon, and select metro and tier-2 cities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.

With food that combines nostalgia, heritage, and innovation, PBM has quickly become a name to reckon with among food lovers who crave genuine flavour over fast-food pretenders. At its heart, PBM celebrates the culinary essence of North India—carefully preserving traditional recipes while adapting them for modern diners.

“PBM was never meant to be just another QSR,” says Raj Hesi, Co-founder and Director at Trijya Foods and Beverages LLP. “We are reimagining Indian food the way it’s meant to be—delicious, clean, made with the finest ingredients, and delivered with pride. Our commitment is not just to business but to building a brand people trust with their meals, their families, and their memories.”

Every outlet serves a thoughtfully curated menu, blending traditional North Indian favourites with regional delights and youth-friendly fusions. From rich and comforting Dal Bukhara to modern, handheld chaats and wraps, the offerings strike a perfect balance between flavour, tradition, and excitement. Each recipe is curated by chefs and culinary experts with in-depth knowledge of regional cuisines, ensuring that what’s served on the plate is both authentic and delightful.

Co-founder and culinary strategist Shilpa Parandekar adds, “At PBM, quality is not an option—it’s a foundation. We go the extra mile to source ingredients from the most trusted regional suppliers and maintain stringent hygiene protocols and SOPs at every outlet. Our kitchens are built for consistency, and our staff trained not just in operations but in hospitality values.”

The company’s expansion is supported by its hospitality arm, TCG Hospitality, which manages everything from location planning and kitchen design to staff training and marketing rollouts.

This robust backend ensures that every PBM outlet, regardless of geography, delivers the same signature taste and customer experience.

PBM’s growth model is powered by two scalable formats—PBM QSR and PBM Chaat Express. While PBM QSR caters to full-day dining with breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner options, Chaat Express is a compact and vibrant setup designed for high-footfall zones, offering 30+ chaat variations, fusion dishes, and quick bites. Both models are supported by centralized supply chains, integrated POS systems, and data-driven inventory controls.

With franchise interest growing steadily, the company is offering these models under a Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated (FOCO) format, ensuring consistent quality and stress-free operations for franchise partners. The QSR format is tailored for spaces above 600 sq. ft., while the Chaat Express model is ideal for smaller setups in malls, campuses, and commercial streets.

PBM’s growing presence has already stirred positive response in every market it has entered. In Nashik, the outlet has become a hotspot for families and foodies; in Nagpur, it is drawing repeated footfalls from office-goers and college youth alike. In Mumbai’s Prabhadevi, the compact outlet regularly sees queues on weekends and a steady stream of loyal customers.

Online reviews across all outlets consistently praise the quality, hygiene, and most importantly, the food that “tastes like home, but feels new every time.”

The brand is also banking on its strong digital-first marketing strategies, local engagement campaigns, and food influencer partnerships to drive footfall and buzz across new markets. By leveraging content-driven campaigns, food festivals, and hyperlocal targeting, PBM aims to not only build customer retention but also contribute to mall and high street footfall wherever it launches.

Over the next two years, PBM aims to expand across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa, before venturing into the national and international market. Conversations are already underway with mall developers and real estate partners across tier-2 and tier-3 towns, where the demand for clean, tasty, and trustworthy Indian food is higher than ever.

With a clear vision and tested execution model, PBM is positioned to become one of India’s most beloved Indian food QSR brands. At a time when the market is saturated with multi-cuisine confusion and poor-quality shortcuts, PBM is proving that being rooted in authenticity is not just refreshing—but revolutionary.