Kishore Bajaj, a renowned Indian entrepreneur and founder of the Badasaab Group of Companies, made a significant contribution to India’s hospitality industry. He co-founded the famous Indigo Restaurant in Mumbai in 1999, which swiftly gained popularity as one of the city’s finest dining establishments, with its refined cuisine and elegant ambiance.
Bajaj was not content with just one successful venture and went on to expand his business with other popular restaurants such as Neel at Tote on the Turf, Nara Thai, and Qualia. He founded and chaired KA Hospitality, which oversees a diverse portfolio of luxurious hotels and resorts in India and abroad, including the iconic Crawford Market in Mumbai. As the founder and CEO of KA Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Bajaj owned and managed a range of high-end restaurants, such as Yauatcha and Hakkasan.
Aside from his business interests, Bajaj was deeply involved in philanthropic and social causes. He was a trustee of the Kishore & Kailash Bajaj Charitable Trust, which supports various causes, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
Bajaj was recognized for his accomplishments with the prestigious “Entrepreneur of the Year” award by the Economic Times in 2018. On March 17, 2023, he passed away due to undisclosed reasons, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and success in the hospitality industry.
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How Kishore Bajaj founded Indigo
Kishore Bajaj is known for co-founding the famous Indigo Restaurant in Mumbai, which quickly became one of the most popular fine dining restaurants in the city. Established in 1999, Indigo is known for its sophisticated cuisine and elegant ambiance, and it has won several awards over the years, including the “Best European Restaurant” award from Times Food and Nightlife Awards. Kishore Bajaj’s success with Indigo led him to expand his business ventures to include several other successful restaurants, such as Neel at Tote on the Turf, Nara Thai, and Qualia.
KA Hospitality founded by Kishore Bajaj
KA Hospitality Pvt Ltd, founded by Kishore Bajaj, is a renowned hospitality company that manages a portfolio of luxury hotels and restaurants in India and abroad. The company is well-known for its high-end restaurants, including Yauatcha and Hakkasan, which are both Michelin-starred establishments.
Yauatcha is a contemporary dim sum teahouse and patisserie that was established in London in 2004. Kishore Bajaj introduced this concept to India in 2011 when he opened the first Yauatcha in Mumbai. The restaurant is known for its sophisticated ambiance and exceptional menu, which includes a wide range of dim sum and desserts. Yauatcha has since expanded to other Indian cities, including Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Similarly, Hakkasan is a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant that was first opened in London in 2001. Kishore Bajaj brought the Hakkasan concept to India in 2011 when he opened the first Hakkasan in Mumbai. The restaurant offers contemporary Cantonese cuisine, and its menu features dishes that are prepared using traditional techniques with a modern twist. Hakkasan has since expanded to other Indian cities, including Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Apart from Yauatcha and Hakkasan, KA Hospitality also owns and operates several other successful restaurants in India. Nara Thai, which serves authentic Thai cuisine, is another popular restaurant chain owned by KA Hospitality. Additionally, Qualia, a modern European restaurant, and Blanco, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, are also part of the KA Hospitality portfolio.
Kishore Bajaj’s vision and passion for the hospitality industry have helped KA Hospitality become one of the most respected hospitality companies in India, with a reputation for providing exceptional dining experiences to its customers.
Kishore Bajaj and Crawford Market
Kishore Bajaj is the founder and chairman of KA Hospitality, which manages a portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in India and abroad. One of the most iconic properties under KA Hospitality is the Crawford Market in Mumbai, which was renovated and converted into a luxury retail space in 2019. The project was a joint venture between KA Hospitality and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, with Kishore Bajaj overseeing the development and design of the property. The Crawford Market project is just one example of Kishore Bajaj’s contributions to the revitalization and modernization of Mumbai’s infrastructure.
How did Kishore Bajaj create his restaurant business?
Kishore Bajaj, who was born in Mumbai in 1959, had a keen interest in the hospitality industry from a young age. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Mumbai, he decided to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship and established the Badasaab Group in 1983. Over the years, the company grew to become the Bajaj Group and established itself as one of India’s leading hospitality and real estate companies.
Under Kishore Bajaj’s visionary leadership, the Bajaj Group expanded its portfolio to include a range of luxury hotels, resorts, and residential properties across India and abroad. He is widely credited with contributing to the growth of the fine dining industry in India, having co-founded the famous Indigo Restaurant in Mumbai in 1999, which quickly became one of the most popular fine dining establishments in the city. In addition to Indigo, Kishore Bajaj’s company KA Hospitality owned and operated several other high-end restaurants, such as Yauatcha, Hakkasan, Nara Thai, Qualia, and Blanco, among others.
Aside from his business ventures, Kishore Bajaj was also an active investor in the healthcare industry, establishing several hospitals and clinics across India. He was committed to providing quality healthcare services to underprivileged communities, and his efforts in this regard were widely recognized.
Despite his many achievements, Kishore Bajaj remained humble and dedicated to giving back to society. He was actively involved in philanthropic causes and served as a trustee of the Kishore & Kailash Bajaj Charitable Trust, which provides funding for education, healthcare, and disaster relief initiatives.
Kintu Bajaj – Kishore Bajaj’s wife
Kintu Bajaj, the wife of Kishor Bajaj, is actively involved in KA Hospitality, where she serves as a director of the restaurant business, just like her husband. She is known for her strong advocacy for women’s empowerment and has been associated with various initiatives supporting this cause. Kintu was often seen accompanying Kishor at important events and functions and has been a strong supporter of her husband’s business ventures.
Kishore Bajaj – Net Worth
