Vidisha Bathwal went from working as a hedge fund analyst in London to becoming the founder of Paprika in Kolkata in 2011. Her inspiration and passion for food came from family recipes, diverse cuisines and delicious flavours which led her to start her own catering business offering high-quality and artisanal meals. With the vision to expand and elevate Paprika, Vidisha expanded her business to Dubai in September 2021. The expansion led to Paprika offering a variety of international cuisines, such as Peruvian, Korean and Mexican. Paprika’s venture to Dubai received a warm welcome in 2021 and continues to grow successfully.
After spending over a decade in the catering business, Vidisha’s reason for success is staying on top of all trends year after year. Here are some of the catering trends in the UAE market for 2024:
Zero-Waste Catering
Zero-waste catering is becoming increasingly popular due to growing environmental awareness. Catering businesses are reducing waste by using compostable servingware and donating leftovers to food banks. This approach benefits the environment, reduces costs, attracts eco-conscious customers, and fosters industry collaborations and partnerships.
At our kitchen, we are committed to contributing to environmental conservation in our own way. We strive to be a zero-waste kitchen by using every part of our ingredients. For example, instead of discarding broccoli stems, we use them to make stock cubes, which we freeze for future use. Additionally, we make broccoli powder from the stems to use as a garnish. Similarly, carrot peels are turned into carrot powder for garnishing, and the greens are used to garnish dishes as well.
Fusion Cuisine
Fusion cuisine blends different culinary traditions to create unique dishes, such as Asian-inspired tacos and Mediterranean-infused pasta. This style of cuisine is popular in culturally diverse metropolitan areas like Dubai. Creating successful fusion cuisine involves selecting complementary cuisines and balancing flavours and sauces to enhance dishes without complicating the process.
We pride ourselves on being trendsetters in the F&B sector. We love experimenting with long-forgotten ingredients and putting a twist on modern items. Whether it’s a thepla taco or a butter chicken pizza, we can do it all.
We also specialise in customising menus to suit our clients’ tastes. For example, after a client mentioned a dish of gelato served in a croissant cone during his travels, we took on the challenge and served him something very close to it at his next party.
Interactive Food Stations
Interactive food stations provide a more engaging catering option, allowing guests to customise their own dishes, such as build-your-own tacos and DIY pasta bars. This style of catering offers a less formal dining experience, encourages conversations, and accommodates dietary preferences. Stations typically offer a variety of options, including ethnic cuisines and desserts. Proper staffing and accessibility are crucial, as some stations may require attendants and can be challenging for guests to navigate.
At Paprika, we love serving people in style and feeding them wholeheartedly. We offer a variety of live and interactive stations at parties and events, whether it’s a live dosa station or serving delicious chaat.
For kids’ birthdays, we can organise chocolate fountain stations, pancake bars, and candy floss stations, keeping both kids and families engaged.
Inclusive Menus
Many caterers are now focusing on inclusivity by offering menus that cater to dietary restrictions and preferences, such as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.
Key points:
- Understanding diverse dietary needs (allergies, intolerances, and specific diets)
- Allowing customisation or substitutions
- Being respectful and authentic with cultural dishes
- Offer clearly labelled dishes and alternatives
- Train staff on menu items and dietary accommodations
- Updating the menu based on feedback and sustainability
Health-Conscious Options
Health-conscious catering menus in 2024 will focus on fresh, nutritious ingredients, low-fat and low-sugar options, portion control, and dietary variety. Caterers use healthier cooking techniques, ensuring ingredient transparency and freshness, and promoting well-being through mindful choices. These menus aim to deliver delicious flavours while supporting healthy eating habits and meeting diverse dietary needs.
At Paprika, we increasingly understand our clients’ needs for healthier options. We offer gluten-free pasta and pizza bases, as well as healthier main course options. For example, we use cottage cheese instead of regular pasta sheets in our lasagna, and our desserts are vegan and gluten-free, which is attracting many customers.
Global Influences
In 2024, global influences will play a significant role in menu creation, featuring dishes inspired by international cuisines like Indian curries, Japanese sushi, and Mexican street tacos. This style involves blending flavours and techniques from around the world, balancing authenticity, and offering themed menus that reflect diverse cultural influences.
Dubai is a place where there is something for everyone. At Paprika, we consider all nationalities and curate menus to match their preferences. Whether it’s Indian, Lebanese, or Asian cuisine, our flair and expertise shine through, and we are always ready to innovate and create more exciting dishes.
