With the aim of making biryani as friendly and hassle-free as pizza, three friends — Shantanu Sikdar, Priyabrata Sikdar and Tariq Hussain — came together in October to start Kabuliwala, a biryani start-up that delivers from noon to midnight in Rajarhat, New Town and Salt Lake. Their tagline? Sinful Biryani!
First steps: It was a Friday night, in the month of March, when Shantanu was craving for biryani after 10pm but no one was willing to deliver. That’s when the idea of opening Kabuliwala dawned on him.
He shared the idea with friends Priyabrata and Tariq and the trio got down to research. Today, Tariq looks after the operations and delivery, Priyabrata takes care of the preparation of biryani and the finances, while Shantanu, the brain behind the start-up, is into planning.
USP: The packaging is what makes Kabuliwala stand out. “Eating biryani is usually messy, which is why people avoid ordering it at office. So, we provide plates and tissues,” added Shantanu. A complimentary Burhani (spiced yogurt drink) comes with the biryani. The biryani container and the plates are microwave-compatible.
Biz model: “Our friends and family members were there when we needed financial support,” said Tariq, a 37-year-old resident of Central Avenue. A team of 26 work with the trio. Kabuliwala, which remains open from noon to midnight, delivers to Rajarhat, New Town and Salt Lake.
Bulk orders — minimum 30 plates and each plate with two pieces of meat, one egg and one potato; mutton @ Rs 200 and chicken @ Rs 150 — are delivered all over Calcutta.
They source their ghee from ONganic, an organic agri-social enterprise, plates from NGO Dhriiti — The Courage Within, zafran from Kashmir and the other ingredients from the local market.
The Kabuliwalas: (L-R) Shantanu Sikdar, Tariq Hussain and Priyabrata Sikdar
Rozana Biryani: 1.2kg biryani with four pieces of meat, two eggs and two potatoes. Mutton @ Rs 500 and
chicken @ Rs 400. Vegetarian option available with paneer, potatoes, dry fruits and other vegetables @ Rs 450
Firni @ Rs 50
Kabuliwala biryani
Timings: Noon to midnight.Mondays closed.
To order: Call 033-65000065, 9831150064, 9831320065
Bhuna Murg Masala @ Rs 200
Shahi Biryani: 2kg biryani with six pieces of meat, three eggs and three potatoes. Mutton @ Rs 750; chicken @ Rs 600.
Vegetarian option available @ Rs 650
Malancha Dasgupta
Pictures: Kaushik Saha
