A Perth entrepreneur has seen a rise in ready meal sales but other parts of his food empire have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
Praveen Kumar and his wife Swarna have targeted selling two million meals a year by the end of 2021 through frozen meal business Praveen Kumar Authentic Indian Cuisine, which they started two years ago.
While ready meal sales have increased during the pandemic the couple have had to cancel classes at their Indian Cook School and their Tabla restaurant in Perth is now delivery only.
Mr Kumar said: “Sales online have increased and we are happy to be delivering food to customers around the country who are self-isolating and unable to get deliveries from local services.
“We’ve adapted to the initial challenge of coronavirus and are managing to deliver enough food to those that need it.
“However, we are concerned about Government funding in the long term to pay our staff.”
The businessman, whose companies normally have total sales of around £800,000 a year, said it was impossible to predict how long it would take his ventures to bounce back after the worst of coronavirus is over.
He feels there is a huge opportunity in the UK for the supply of high-quality Indian ready meals.
The operation uses Perthshire fresh-food suppliers and farmers, while most of the herbs and vegetables are grown in their greenhouse.
By the start of this year, the ready meals were being stocked in around 50 retailers – mainly farm shops, delicatessens and garden centres.
Significant growth in employee numbers and annual turnover is anticipated in the next few years.
Mr Kumar added: “This business is growing at a rapid rate.
“By the end of 2021, we hope to cook and supply two million meals a year.
“Another avenue for the business is supplying hotels with our products.
“Having worked in the hotel industry for a number of years, I have built up enough knowledge and contacts to know how to best serve the demands of hotels.
“We can provide chefs with delicious foods and easy solutions.”
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