StartUps

Grazing Tables: The Party’s New Centrepiece

Move over traditional buffets; grazing tables are taking centre stage at celebrations. Budda Swecha explores the rise of this entertaining trend and speaks to grazing-table experts about how they create these edible works of art and why they’re becoming a must-have at parties.

Casere: Tanya Tarang Agarwal | Hyderabad

For Tanya Tarang Agarwal, founder of Hyderabad-based premium food and gifting brand Casero, grazing tables are about much more than food; they are about creating an experience. With a love for food, aesthetics and entertaining, Tanya brings together thoughtful curation and beautiful presentation to create celebrations that feel effortless, personal and memorable.

“Casero has always been about creating an experience around food,” she says. “I love how a beautifully curated grazing table allows conversations to flow freely, accompanied by good food.” Relaxed and social, the format allows guests to eat, talk and enjoy themselves without the formality of a sit-down meal.

Tanya believes this ease is what has made grazing tables a favourite at celebrations. “You can simply walk up, pick a bite or two, move around, continue your conversations and come back to the table whenever you want.” With no waiting to be served, the grazing format keeps the party moving naturally. For the perfect visual impact, Tanya swears by height and elevation. “A grazing table should never feel flat,” she says. Different levels, beautiful serving pieces and layers create dimension, abundance and an instant wow factor.

FESTIVE FAVOURITES

CHIP + DIP

A great pairing to start the spread.

WOW ELEMENT

Something that gets everyone talking.

DESSERT

A delicious sweet finish.

FESTIVE TOUCH

An Indian chaat-inspired bite, a flavourful cheese ball with crisps and a refreshing drink to cleanse the palate.

Crumble Royale: Saakshi Sabharwal | Delhi

For Saakshi Sabharwal, Founder and Head Chef of New Delhi-based Crumble Royale, grazing tables are a natural extension of her love for cooking, hosting and feeding people. With professional experience at The Oberoi and The Westin, Saakshi brings a chef’s eye for flavour, freshness and presentation to every spread. Crumble Royale entered the grazing-table space nearly two years ago, inspired by a simple home gathering. “I created a large spread where everyone could simply walk up, pick something they liked and continue chatting,” she recalls. Seeing people interact around the food made her realise that grazing tables could bring together everything she loved about entertaining.

Today, every table is handmade, freshly prepared and customised to the occasion, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian spreads, modern Indian flavours and playful fusions. For Saakshi, ease of eating is key. “You shouldn’t need a manual to eat a grazing table!” she says. The result is a spread that feels abundant, colourful and tempting enough for guests to keep coming back. She also sees grazing tables as the perfect blend of food, décor and interaction. “A beautifully styled table can become the centrepiece of a room, and you eat with your eyes first.” Beyond the visual appeal, they allow guests to eat at their own pace while hosts can actually enjoy their celebrations. And while they may be highly Instagrammable, Saakshi’s favourite reaction is when guests stop taking pictures and start asking, “What is that?”

For the finishing touch, she believes presentation is paramount. Colours, textures, platters, florals and styling create the first hook, backed, of course, by fresh ingredients and balanced flavours.

FESTIVE FAVOURITES

SUBSTANTIAL BITES

Sliders, tarts, breads, lavash and crackers for a satisfying spread.

DIPS + CRUNCH

Fresh dips with chips, lavash and baked nachos for easy mix-and-match grazing.

SWEET SURPRISES

Fusion desserts and little festive treats to add another delicious dimension.

THE GOLDEN RULE

Everything should work together in terms of flavour, colour and texture.

The Graze Art: Riya Arora | Ludhiana

For Riya Arora, Founder of The Cake Art, The Graze Art and OLRYT in Ludhiana, food has always been about creating experiences. With an MSc in Psychological Counselling, Riya took an unconventional route into hospitality, starting The Cake Art in 2014 before launching The Graze Art in 2021. The Graze Art grew naturally from her love for baking and styling. “When we started doing grazing tables, I realised it was the perfect combination of both things I enjoy: food and styling.” Today, the 100% vegetarian and eggless brand creates customised setups for celebrations, events and brands, including Jain-friendly options, and has worked with 50+ names including New Balance, Shoppers Stop, Tanishq and Jack & Jones.

For Riya, every table is a blank canvas. “We can play around with the menu, colours, flowers, crockery and the overall theme depending on the occasion.” It is this blend of food and décor that makes grazing tables such a celebration favourite. “People love to eat, but they also love an experience. A grazing table gives you both.” When it comes to elevating the spread, Riya keeps it simple: styling. “The food obviously has to be good, but the way you put everything together makes a huge difference.” Flowers, fresh fruit, interesting serving pieces, varied heights and textures bring the table to life without making it feel cluttered.

FESTIVE FAVOURITES

CHEESE

A festive essential that instantly adds richness and indulgence.

FRESHLY BAKED

Good bread and bakes are an essential for Riya, who is a baker at heart.

DESSERT

Because every festive spread deserves a little indulgence.

The NS Table: Swati Kulkarni and Naina Rupchandani I Bangalore

Born from a 12-year friendship and a shared obsession with food and hosting, The NS Table is the creation of college friends Swati Kulkarni and Naina Rupchandani. Reconnected in Bengaluru, the duo turned a spontaneous pub conversation into a business built around one simple belief: hosting at home should feel special, not stressful. “We wanted to create an experience that gives people the warmth and intimacy of a house party, but with the food, presentation and attention to detail you’d expect from a five-star experience,” they say. The NS Table brings together food, styling and hosting, taking the pressure off the host while creating a table guests remember.

Their signature approach is distinctly personal. “We don’t approach an event like caterers; we approach it like hosts.” Every table is curated around the occasion, the guest list and, wherever possible, the host’s favourite foods. From menus and food pairings to crockery, colours and presentation, every detail is thoughtfully considered. For home hosts, their advice is simple: don’t overcrowd the table. Start with a few larger elements, build around boards, bowls and platters, then fill the gaps with smaller bites, fruits and crackers. Mixing textures, colours and heights adds character. “The goal is for it to look abundant and inviting, not perfectly symmetrical.”

FESTIVE FAVOURITES

THE FESTIVE GRAZING TABLE

A desi twist on the classic, pairing familiar festive flavours with elegant bite-sized appetisers, signature grazing elements and festive desserts.

THE FESTIVE DESSERT SPREAD

Indulgent chocolates, seasonal cakes and tarts for hosts looking to add a beautiful sweet element.

BESPOKE FESTIVE TABLES

Fully customised menus and styling, curated around the host, occasion and guest list.

Tidbit Bakehouse: Pooja Tayal I Bangalore

Founded by Pooja Tayal a decade ago, Tidbit Bakehouse began with a passion for creating beautiful, delicious cakes. Five years ago, her sister Bhavna Tayal joined the journey, bringing fresh ideas and a shared love for food and creativity. While cakes remain at the heart of the brand, the sisters ventured into grazing tables a year ago, creating curated spreads that make food a memorable part of every celebration. “Our brand is all about bringing people together through beautiful food experiences,” they say. For Pooja and Bhavna, grazing tables offer the perfect opportunity to turn food into a visual experience. “We wanted to move beyond simply serving food and create something that becomes a part of the celebration itself.”

They believe grazing tables have become a celebration favourite because they are “more than just food; they become an experience.” From exploring different flavours to picking favourite bites, guests can enjoy the spread at their own pace while the table becomes a natural conversation starter and focal point. The sisters’ secret to elevating a table is thoughtful styling and layering. “The right mix of colours, textures, heights, and details can transform a simple spread into something truly stunning.”

FESTIVE FAVOURITES

COLOUR + TEXTURE

A vibrant mix that looks as exciting as it tastes.

FAMILIAR + UNEXPECTED

Crowd favourites paired with a few unique bites to surprise guests.

FESTIVE DETAILS

Seasonal elements, special desserts and themed styling that bring the entire celebration together.

September 1, 2026

Yuvraj & Yashraj Bhardwaj | Powering India’s Circular Economy

Twin brothers Yuvraj Bhardwaj and Yashraj Bhardwaj are the co-founders of Plannex Recycling, a Gurugram-based circular economy company transforming waste management through technology and innovation. Both entrepreneurs began innovating at the age of 14, filing patents and undertaking research projects long before launching their ventures. Today, while Yuvraj, Co-Founder & CEO, leads operations, technology, and execution, Yashraj drives strategy, policy, partnerships, and global expansion. Together, the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honourees have built one of South Asia’s leading recycling platforms, processing over 500,000 metric tonnes of waste annually across 18 facilities in seven countries, proving that sustainability and scale can go hand in hand. 1. Tell us about your venture and how the idea first came to life. What made you decide to build it together as siblings? Yashraj: We’ve been building things together since we were 14, so becoming co-founders wasn’t really a decision; it was the natural next step. We saw India’s waste sector as a fragmented industry with enormous potential but very little technological intervention. While most people saw waste, we saw an opportunity to build infrastructure for the future. Yuvraj: Today, Plannex processes over 500,000 metric tonnes of waste annually across categories such as e-waste, PET plastics, batteries, tyres, and industrial waste, while creating employment for more than 2,000 people. Being twins gave us something every founder hopes to build: complete trust. We couldn’t imagine creating this business any other way. 2. How do your personalities and strengths complement each other? Yuvraj: Although we’re twins, we think very differently, and that’s our biggest advantage. I focus on operations, technology, and execution, making sure every facility runs efficiently and every process delivers on its promise. Yashraj: I spend more time on strategy, partnerships, policy, and investor relationships, helping Plannex expand globally. One of us imagines what’s

StartUps

Pinq Polka: The Story of Manveen S Sharma & Mandeep Singh

Manveen S Sharma, CEO of Pinq Polka, brings over nine years of leadership experience across the automotive, mobility, and business sectors, with expertise in business strategy, operations, and customer-centric innovation. Alongside her is her brother, Mandeep Singh, Co-Founder, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in business development, sales, operations, and scaling businesses within the automotive and electric mobility ecosystem. Together, the sibling duo has transformed a simple consumer insight into one of India’s emerging women-first intimate wear and shapewear brands, combining strategic leadership with a shared commitment to creating products that prioritise comfort, confidence, and functionality. 1. Tell us about your venture and how the idea came to life. What made you decide to build it together as siblings? Manveen: Pinq Polka was born out of a personal experience. I often found myself buying women’s personal care products from abroad, because I couldn’t find the same quality in India. During a conversation with my brother, we realised there was a genuine gap in the market. Before launching, we spent months researching, speaking to women, testing products, and gathering honest feedback. That process confirmed we were solving a real problem. Building the brand together happened naturally; we trusted each other’s strengths and shared the same vision of creating products that genuinely improve women’s everyday lives. 2. How do your personalities and strengths complement each other? Manveen: I stay closely connected to our customers, spending time understanding their needs and translating those insights into better products. Many of our innovations have come directly from conversations with women who use our products every day. Mandeep: I focus on business strategy, partnerships, and sustainable growth. While Manveen leads product innovation and customer experience, I ensure we build a business that’s scalable and future-ready. We may approach challenges differently, but we’re united by one principle: never

StartUps

Brick Brown Home Innovations: Meet Kirti & Yash Verma of Gurgaon

Sibling duo Kirti Verma and Yash Verma, founders of Brick Brown Home Innovations, are redefining modern living through thoughtfully designed home décor that blends traditional Indian craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Based in Gurgaon, the brand creates handcrafted solid wood storage solutions, organisers, and home essentials that celebrate functionality, sustainability, and timeless design. Yash Verma leads product innovation, artisan collaborations, and technology-driven operations, while Kirti Verma shapes the brand’s creative vision, design language, and business strategy. Together, they have built Brick Brown into a contemporary homegrown brand that seamlessly blends heritage craftsmanship with modern design. 1. Tell us about your venture and how the idea first came to life. Why did you decide to build it together as siblings? Brick Brown began with a simple belief that homes should feel warm, personal, and lived in. We wanted to create handcrafted wooden pieces that people would cherish for years instead of following short-lived trends. Building the business together wasn’t a planned decision; it happened naturally. Having grown up with similar values and design sensibilities, we instinctively understood each other’s way of thinking, making us natural partners. 2. How do your personalities and strengths complement each other? We bring very different strengths to the table, and that’s what makes the partnership work. I (Yash) focus on product design, manufacturing, and working closely with artisans to perfect every detail. Kirti leads branding, creative direction, storytelling, and business growth. One of us builds products worth talking about, while the other ensures their story reaches the right audience. 3. Has your sibling bond made entrepreneurship easier or more challenging? It has definitely made the journey easier because trust was never something we had to build; it already existed. One moment we’ll always remember is opening our own studio in Gurgaon. Standing in that space, we realised

StartUps

Getting Sassiest: The Brand Making Sexual Wellness More Inclusive In India

In a country where conversations about sex are still low-key at dinner tables and turn school classrooms awkwardly silent, brands like Sassiest are changing the script, one meme, conversation, and pleasure-positive post at a time. From cheeky Instagram content and relatable humour to refreshingly honest takes on intimacy, confidence, and self-exploration, the brand is helping young Indians approach sexual wellness with far less awkwardness and a lot more openness. Mehak Walia gets sassy with Aishwarya Dua and Karishma Chavan, the co-founders of Sassiest. And honestly, that shift feels long overdue. For years, discussions around pleasure and desire in India have either been buried under shame or treated like something too scandalous to say out loud, especially when women are leading the conversation. Founded by Aishwarya Dua and Karishma Chavan, Sassiest is pushing back against that discomfort with a voice that feels warm, inclusive, funny, and unapologetically real. Instead of sounding clinical or preachy, the brand creates space for conversations around boundaries, body confidence, emotional well-being, and modern relationships in a way that actually feels relatable to today’s generation. For Karishma, the inspiration behind the brand came from noticing just how disconnected many women grow up feeling from their own bodies. “Most conversations around intimacy here are either hidden, judged, or purely medical,” she says. “Nobody was really talking about pleasure, confidence, self-exploration, or emotional wellness in a way that felt normal, safe, and relatable.” That silence, she explains, extends far beyond intimacy itself. Shame and conditioning often shape confidence, relationships, and even the way women exist in the world. “I wanted Sassiest to feel less clinical and more like a movement,” Chavan shares. “A space where women and queer people could feel seen without embarrassment.” Of course, building a sexual wellness brand in India came with its fair share of