| 18 In a world where food is often just fuel, Avni and Ashni Biyani have turned it into an experience, a story, and a journey. From wandering through global markets and exploring kitchens across continents to understanding what makes a meal memorable, the sisters have always been fascinated by the intersection of culture, taste, and design. That curiosity became the seed for Foodstories, their gourmet food platform, where every store, product, and online experience is crafted to delight and inspire. Today, Foodstories operates in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, with plans to expand to two more cities and open six additional stores in the next two years. Avni shapes product innovation and experiential retail, introducing new trends and redefining how discerning consumers engage with food. She also leads Think9 Consumer Technologies, mentoring digital-first brands such as Sorrentina and Beauty By BiE. Ashni focuses on operational excellence, organisational culture, and building profitable, future-ready businesses, having previously steered Future Consumer Limited and founded Future Ideas, a consumer insights and design firm. With deep roots in liberal arts, design, and global culture, Avni and Ashni’s blend of strategic vision with a flair for storytelling is shaping India’s future of luxury and lifestyle. “We believe true luxury lies in awareness–in knowing what we’re eating, where it comes from, and how it nourishes our body.” Beate Mauder Kakkar has built a career that bridges continents and luxury brands. Since 1995, she has worked with hospitality brands in India—first from Hong Kong with Rafael Hotels and Aman Resorts — driving sales, PR and communications in the booming outbound travel market, until she moved to Mumbai in 2002. From celebrity visits and film shoots to strategic alliances, she shaped how global hospitality brands connected with Indian audiences. After leading marketing at Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces as Vice President, she went on to establish INDIVA Marketing, drawing on her global experience with Le Meridien, The Oriental Bangkok, and Leading Hotels of the World. On business, she is clear-eyed: success comes from “structure, clarity, hard work with passion and a strong sense of loyalty.” Entrepreneurs, she says, succeed by “setting great goals, starting humble, and relying on themselves.” The trend she sees lasting? “A new work-life balance—today’s true luxury.” For Mauder, luxury is “grace, space, and time.” Her most treasured possessions are her grandparents’ silver cutlery and Meissen crockery. Travel memories linger from La Mamounia in Marrakech and La Sologne in France. Evenings are best spent “at the piano, in the gym, or cycling in nature with family and friends.” Her go-to drink? A refined Chevalier Montrachet or, unmistakably, champagne. “LuxeBook is a great source of information across multiple sectors.” Avni and Ashni Biyani Co-founders, Foodstories | 19 Beate Mauder Kakkar Founder & Managing Director, Indiva Marketing
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