Reviving Rajkot’s Street Food with Fusion

🚚✨ Taste of Rajkot – Revolutionising Rajkot’s Street Food Scene!
I’m thrilled to share my latest project — Taste of Rajkot, a mobile food truck initiative bringing a fresh twist to Rajkot’s beloved street food.
By blending traditional Gujarati flavours with global influences, we aim to create affordable, innovative fusion dishes like khaman pizza, masala tacos, and thepla wraps — all sourced locally and served through two food trucks and cultural pop-up events.

Our goal is simple: to celebrate Rajkot’s food heritage while engaging the community through creativity, sustainability, and great taste! 🌿🍴

1. Taste of Rajkot Revolutionising Rajkot's Street Food Scene A mobile food truck initiative blending traditional Gujarati flavours with global culinary influences. Bringing affordable, innovative fusion cuisine to Rajkot's vibrant communities through two food trucks and four cultural pop-up events.

2. The Opportunity: Bridging Tradition and Innovation Rajkot's food culture is renowned, yet there's a significant gap in innovative, accessible dining options for the city's dynamic, youthful population. Most street food vendors offer conventional Gujarati snacks, leaving limited room for fusion or international flavours that appeal to younger, cosmopolitan audiences. Busy professionals and students lack quick, affordable dining options in high-traffic areas. There are few mobile food platforms combining dining with community-building activities, and many vendors miss opportunities to promote local, sustainable sourcing.

3. Our Vision: Fusion Meets Heritage Taste of Rajkot addresses these gaps by offering a mobile, fusion-focused dining experience that celebrates Rajkot's culinary heritage whilst introducing global influences. Our mission is to provide affordable, high-quality meals that appeal to diverse audiences. Innovative Menu Khaman pizza, masala tacos, dhokla sliders, fafda flatbreads, and thepla wraps with global sauces Community Engagement Pop-up events featuring live music, food tastings, and cultural activities Local Sourcing Partnerships with local farms and spice vendors for fresh, authentic ingredients Accessible Pricing Menu items priced between ₹50–150 to ensure affordability for all

4. Our Hypothesis: Validating Market Demand We hypothesise that by launching two food trucks and hosting four pop-up events over 12 weeks, Taste of Rajkot will successfully validate market demand and establish a scalable business model. 600+ Customer Reach Minimum customers across 8 weeks, with 50+ daily per truck and 150+ per event 80% Positive Feedback Target satisfaction rate on food quality, menu creativity, and overall experience 3+ Local Partnerships Collaborations with organic farms, spice suppliers, and event organisers 70% Cost Recovery Operational costs covered through revenue, demonstrating financial viability

5. Dual Operational Model The pilot will test two complementary models to assess market fit and operational efficiency, maximising reach across different customer segments and occasions. 1 Stationary Food Truck Operations Two rented food trucks operating five days weekly at fixed locations near VR Mall and SVNIT campus. Compact menu of five fusion items, daily hours 11 AM to 9 PM capturing lunch, evening, and dinner crowds. Operations run for 8 weeks. 2 Pop-Up Food Events Four weekend events hosted at public spaces like Gaurav Path, Lake View Garden, and Dumas Beach. Features food tastings, live music by local artists, and interactive activities. Each event targets 150–200 attendees, focusing on families and young adults.

6. Strategic Approach: From Research to Execution 1 Market Research (Weeks 1–2) Online polls via Instagram and WhatsApp targeting students and professionals. In-person surveys near malls, colleges, and offices. Competitor analysis to identify gaps in offerings. 2 Menu Development Curate five fusion items partnering with local farms for fresh produce and spice vendors. Test recipes in rented commercial kitchen ensuring consistency and cost-efficiency. 3 Event Planning Secure permits for four pop-up events at public venues. Collaborate with local musicians and college clubs. Design event layouts with themed décor creating festive atmosphere. 4 Marketing & Branding Launch social media campaigns with high-quality food photos. Distribute 1,000 flyers offering 10% discount. Partner with local food bloggers for promotion. 5 Pilot Execution (Weeks 4–10) Operate two food trucks for 8 weeks rotating between locations. Host four pop-up events with live performances. Train staff for quick service and high satisfaction. 6 Post-Pilot Review (Weeks 11–12) Analyse sales data, customer feedback, and operational costs. Conduct follow-up surveys. Prepare detailed report outlining findings and recommendations.

7. Evidence-Based Strategy Our approach is informed by comprehensive research demonstrating strong market potential for fusion food trucks in urban India. FICCI Food Report (2024) Highlights 15% annual growth in demand for fusion cuisine in urban India, driven by younger demographics seeking novel dining experiences. Food Truck Success Stories Case studies of The Bombay Food Truck and Bangalore's Waffle Wagon show mobile food businesses thrive by offering unique menus and targeting high-traffic areas. Rajkot Food Culture (2023) Local surveys indicate 70% of Rajkot's youth are interested in affordable, innovative street food options near educational and commercial hubs. Sustainable Food Systems Research from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (2023) emphasizes benefits of sourcing ingredients locally to reduce costs and support farmers.

8. Comprehensive Evaluation Framework The pilot's success will be measured through multiple metrics, ensuring data-driven decision-making for future scaling. Customer Footfall Track daily sales and event attendance via POS system and manual counters to measure reach and engagement. Customer Feedback Collect ratings on food quality, service, and experience using Google Forms (QR codes) and in-person surveys. Financial Performance Compare operational costs (fuel, ingredients, staff) against revenue to assess profitability and sustainability. Community Engagement Monitor social media metrics (2,000+ followers, 500+ shares) and event participation rates for brand growth. Partnership Success Document number and quality of collaborations with vendors, artists, and event organisers for future opportunities.

9. Investment Breakdown: ₹5,50,000 Comprehensive budget allocation ensuring efficient resource utilisation across all operational aspects of the 12-week pilot project. Budget Notes: Truck rental includes maintenance and insurance. Ingredients prioritise local sourcing. Marketing includes social media ads, flyer printing, and influencer collaborations. Buffer accounts for unexpected costs such as equipment repairs or permit fees.

10. Expected Impact: Building Rajkot's Food Future Taste of Rajkot proposes an innovative pilot to test a fusion food truck concept celebrating Rajkot's culinary heritage whilst introducing global flavours. With ₹5,50,000 in funding, we will build a vibrant brand resonating with Rajkot's youth and families. Customer Reach Serve 600+ customers across 8 weeks, with 50+ daily customers per truck and 150+ attendees per event Brand Growth Gain 2,000+ social media followers and generate buzz through local media coverage Financial Viability Recover 70% of operational costs through sales, indicating a sustainable model Scalability Insights Identify most profitable locations, menu items, and event formats for future expansion By addressing the demand for accessible, creative dining, Taste of Rajkot aims to become a cornerstone of Rajkot's evolving food scene. The project will support local vendors, engage the community through cultural events, and provide actionable data for scaling into a full-fledged business. We are committed to transparency, with detailed financial tracking and regular updates to the Rajkot City Development Fund. "Your support will empower a young entrepreneur to drive economic and cultural growth in our city." — Prasham Doshi, Founder, Taste of Rajkot