Partner, Hunger Inc Hospitality Pvt Ltd

Yash Bhanage is the Co-founder and Partner at Bombay Sweet Shop, O Pedro and The Bombay Canteen. Having travelled and worked across the world, from Mumbai to Chicago to Singapore, Yash has had the opportunity to explore local cuisines; new restaurants and drinks along the way. These experiences played an integral role in shaping the concept behind Bombay Sweet Shop, O Pedro and The Bombay Canteen.

Yash graduated from Indian Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Goa, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration and followed it up with a Masters in Management of Hospitality from Cornell University, Ithaca, USA. He has trained and worked with some of the best restaurants and bars in the USA and South East Asia; and successfully helped open Antidote, a bar at the Fairmont & Swissotel in Singapore, that went on to be awarded the ‘Best Bar in Singapore’ in 2014.

A meeting with Sameer Seth- his now business partner at O Pedro and The Bombay Canteen, at Cornell- brought the realisation that they shared a similar philosophy about the Indian hospitality market. The outcome of their vision was to create India-centric brands, which brings together the experience of various communities through food and beverage. Moving back to Mumbai in April 2014, to make this vision a reality, Yash and Sameer set out to establish their first venture The Bombay Canteen and three years later – O Pedro. Yash is able to provide innovative solutions, drawing from his experience of international F&B concepts; he oversees the operations of The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro. In 2016, Yash was selected by Forbes magazine as part of their ‘30 under 30’ list of Young Achievers in India.

Having worked his way up in the hospitality industry, with his first job as a trainee in Pune, Yash learnt very early that hospitality has no boundaries. This also taught him the importance of building a culture that has its roots in being disciplined and respecting every team member. Yash strongly believes in mentoring not just the team at The Bombay Canteen, but also regularly engages with hospitality schools to teach and nurture young students. With this in mind, he has conceptualised and brought to life ‘The Canteen Class’, a platform that brings together hospitality students from across the city to interact and learn directly from industry professionals.

While not at The Bombay Canteen or Bombay Sweet Shop, Yash is a passionate Manchester United fan, avid reader, enjoys creative bartending and closely follows the confluence of hospitality and technology.

Hunger Inc. Hospitality Pvt. Ltd owns and runs two restaurants in Mumbai- The Bombay Canteen (2015) and O Pedro (2017) and a reimagined Indian sweet shop – Bombay Sweet Shop (2020).