Spicing Up The Food Industry By The Numbers:Akshay Kendurkar

Mr. Akshay Kendurkar is a man with a passion for food and data. He had always been fascinated with numbers and studied data science at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University. After graduating, he worked on various projects in the restaurant industry and became intrigued by the power of data in predicting trends and improving efficiency. One day, while working on a project, he came across Zomato, an online food delivery platform that was sitting on a gold mine of data. He realized that there was enormous potential in the food industry for leveraging data to improve operations and customer experience.

In 2019, Akshay founded his first company, Crescita, a consultancy firm that specialized in data science, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. With a team of 15 people, including his data science professor, Akshay worked with clients worldwide to help them leverage data in their businesses. They developed recommendation systems and other tools to improve the user experience and increase efficiency. While working on Crescita, Akshay also pursued his passion for cooking. He loved experimenting with different recipes and cuisines and often cooked for his mother on Sundays. Her smile was his reward for his culinary creations, and it fueled his love for food even more.

As he continued to work on projects in the food industry, Akshay realized that there was a significant gap in the market. Starting a restaurant was a risky and expensive endeavor, with high failure rates. He knew there had to be a better way to help food business owners succeed. In collaboration with an advisor from Silicon Valley, Akshay developed the concept for kAItchens. This co-working cloud kitchen would provide a boost to restaurant owners and food business owners. A cloud kitchen is a facility where food is prepared only for delivery purposes. No dining facility is available, and all orders are delivered via online platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, or other third-party aggregators.

Akshay's vision for kAItchens was to provide a space where multiple food brands could work together under one roof. The facility would have around 5000 square feet of space, and each brand would have access to customized kitchen equipment, marketing support, and menu design. kAItchens would help food business owners scale their brands from one place to another with a minimal upfront investment, reducing the risk of failure. The emotional attachment Akshay had to kAItchens was twofold. Firstly, he was fascinated by the power of data and its potential to revolutionize the food industry. Secondly, he was a passionate cook who understood the challenges of starting a restaurant firsthand. With kAItchens, he wanted to provide a solution that would help other food business owners succeed.

Photo: Mr Akshay Kendurkar

With a clear vision for kAItchens, Akshay set out to build his team. He was a people person and loved working with his team, which initially consisted of interns who were students younger than him. He had a personal touch and managed his team professionally yet supportedly. He wanted to build kAItchens as a family where everyone felt supported and valued.

Today, kAItchens is a thriving co-working cloud kitchen facility that has helped numerous food brands scale their businesses. Akshay's leadership skills have played a crucial role in its success. He has built a cross-functional team of people from diverse backgrounds and ages, creating a culture of support and collaboration. His friends and family have also played an important role in his journey. They have supported him every step of the way, providing encouragement and advice. Akshay knows that he couldn't have achieved his success without their support. Akshay Kendurkar's passion for food and data led him to create.