Meet the Founders
A collaboration between two food technologists
Akashrai Kamat
COO, Kamat Yatrinivas
Akash grew up relishing the complex and rich regional cuisine of Karnataka. This is owing to his diverse lineage, with his parents hailing from different parts of the state. Fascinated by the influence of culinary heritage on regional and personal identity and shared memories, he incorporates such stories in his work.
Professionally, Akash has extensive experience managing the large-scale restaurant chain, Kamat Yatrinivas. Having led many initiatives in corporate catering, he was instrumental in the establishment of a corporate catering wing that delivered quality service to high-profile clients. Through his venture (Kitchen Krew 91), he offers niche catering services for conferences, weddings, socio-cultural events and institutions.
For his work, he travels across the state, allowing him to meet diverse groups of people and collect their culinary histories. This has led to a repertoire of dwindling recipes and ingredients that he curates into the menus of restaurants and catering events, reintroducing aspects of cultural heritage in a way that is meaningful to him. Taste Thesaurus offers you an opportunity to savour this keen interest.
His efforts at preserving culinary traditions are a testament to his father’s interest and dedication to work, the person whose standards Akash hopes to emulate.
Arun Viswanathan
Founder, Chitra’m Craft Chocolates & Cafe Infusions.
Dr. Arun Viswanathan is a certified baker and chocolate taster, specialising in creating artisanal chocolates. He trained to be a chocolatier at the prestigious – The Chocolate Line, in Belgium. His bean-to-bar craft chocolate brand, Chitra’m, infuses the Indian flavour profile into a bar of chocolate. The quirky, intriguing set of flavours include Mango Lassi, Moringa & Lemon and Masala Chaas.
Essentially a curious person, Arun is committed to learning deeply about various indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques. His background in Food Science and Technology (a master’s degree from Cornell University), helps him understand the interaction of ingredients at a molecular level. He uses this knowledge to pair unusual flavours in his creations to tease your palate.
Arun started Cafe Infusions, a fusion food cafe and one of India’s first to curate a cacao fusion menu. His cafe is popular for Cacao Podi Idli, Cacao Nib Crust Malai Paneer Tikka and Filter Coffee Hot Chocolate. In 2020, the cafe was featured on the Lonely Planet’s Global Chocolate Tour Book as a must-visit in the world of chocolates.
Arun has partnered with various brands internationally and within the country, to conduct his sought-after chocolate-making workshops. As a chocolatier, he has won many international awards for his interesting combinations. He continues exploring and curating dishes that hit the right notes of nostalgia and novelty.
