Emergence of cloud kitchens has reshaped the food industry, catering to people’s busy lives and offering a perfect blend of convenience and tradition. What began as a survival strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic, has now become a permanent shift in the industry.
“During the lockdown, our hotel in Angul was shut down, and business came to a standstill. A friend in Pune suggested starting a cloud kitchen, which was gaining popularity in Odisha at the time. As a result, we set up the cloud kitchen in 2020,” said Padmacharan Mishra, owner of a cloud kitchen in Bhubaneswar.
“When Covid-19 struck, demand for home-made and healthy food increased and our cloud kitchen gained popularity among the people,” Mishra added.
“We first started with a chain of carts selling sandwiches. After discussing the idea with my brother, we decided to open a cloud kitchen. Initially, we considered selling sushi, but quickly realised it wouldn’t have much demand. So, we shifted focus and began offering homely food instead,” said Swati Malik, a Bhubaneswar-based cloud kitchen owner.
“During the third wave of Covid-19, our business thrived as people craved home-made food. Demand for comforting meals grew and our cloud kitchen became a trusted source for many people,” she added.
“These kitchens are also preserving the charm of grandma’s recipes. Thanks to technology, age-old culinary treasures are being documented and shared online. This initiative ensures that heritage dishes are passed down to future generations, blending tradition with technology to keep Odia culture alive,” said Anita Sabat, a cultural researcher.
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