Pankaj Gupta grew up in Mumbai after his father migrated from a town called Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and started a small business selling grains. He joined his father’s business at a young age and helped him grow it while simultaneously pursuing his education. Watching his mother cook at a young age is what inspired him and he decided that he would open his own chain of restaurants someday.

After attaining his master’s degree he left his family business and embarked on a food trail across Punjab after which he made his first mark in the F&B industry with Oye Kakewhich specializes in vegetarian Amritsari food and instantly became a hit amongst the foodies of the city. This success led to the birth of Taftoon, delving deeper into North Indian regional food, followed by CIRQA 1960—to our latest addition, Kerala Quarters, each of our brands tells a unique story. Having been in the hospitality industry for more than over a decade, his dream is to constantly provide high quality, value-based products, and memorable dining experiences.