Premium tastes gaining currency
With eating out having reached pre-pandemic levels, many people are today spending like never before, says Manoj Jangid, Director of Food & Beverage – JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar.
When you have something trending going on in the city everyone wants to be a part of it. “Following this line, I would like to say that our guests have moved to the premium & super premium alcobev brands,” says Manoj Jangid.
He goes on to add that in the post-pandemic period, the demand for single malt and gin has really registered a great leap in the beverage list in India alcobev industry, whether it be the Sunday brunch or any meeting or family dining out. “If you ask me the reason I feel single malt is now a trend or trade mark of a sophisticated whisky drinker and when they are drinking it, they are aware that they are being a part of the legacy,” he asserts.
Manoj also thinks that the gin industry on its part has dusted off its image from a feminine drink to a spirit that is gender neutral and has the capacity to hold a big chunk of the beverage list, whether in G n T or Martini.
“We as a beverage team have really worked hard on the way we present ourgin. We have also readjusted our stock of gin, wine, and whisky. We are getting them aligned with tonic, which are sugar free to aerated flavoured beverages,” he explains.
Big Spending
“People who during the pandemic had taken a ‘short hand’ on money are now coming in the sun and spending their hearts out. Take the wines they order in Romano’s or the malt they choose at Autm – JW Lounge; the trend looks like it is here to stay.
The trend is also evident on our Sunday brunches, where on an average we do 150 covers. Of this, 30 percent of the guests have an alcohol package,” observes Manoj.
As for eating out, their outlets have reached pre-Covid footfalls.“We always
keep ourselves more ahead than what we expected. Guests like coming to us for dining because it is more about the experience and ambience and the service they like, which was missing during the Covid period. This trend is going to stay and we would be having this legacy going,” he affirms.
