ABOUT CHEF COLLIN PEREIRA

Namaste! 

Chef Collin Pereira: The Alchemist Top Hat Fun Chef. A no-nonsense; non-celebrity chef! Because it's never about the Chef but the ingredients, the cooking, and the eater (you). I am not the good news but only the bearer. The good news;  secret concoctions and magical mixes. 

A culinary enthusiast, a restaurateur, a retailer, a visionary, a philanthropist, a movie extra, and the alchemist Top Hat Fun Chef of India in a Jar and 'DIY Do Indian Yourself' with a Dash of Devon. With a sound schooling background from Infant Jesus Anglo-Indians Boys High School, Thangasseri, Kollam, Kerala State, a Degree in Hotel Management, and an MBA in marketing and human resources he worked with some of the top 5 Star hotel chains in India ( ITC Welcome Group - Sheraton - Madras, Sheraton- Dubai, Taj - Malabar -Cochin,  ITDC Kovalam, Carlton - Kodaikanal ). He was also the Head of Department for the Department of Hotel Management at Kodaikanal Christian College and also worked as a Radio Announcer/ Radio Jockey for Kodaikanal FM Radio Station - All India Radio (AIR).

Chef Collin Pereira entered the UK food scene in 2000 with a dream. A long-term vision. He worked with some of the best establishments in the Hospitality sector in Scotland and England (Hilton - Glasgow, The Harlequin and Ashoka Restaurant Group - Glasgow, Poppadum’s and Saffron Indian Restaurant Group - Farnborough, Spice Bazaar - Dartmouth, Pizza Express, ASK, and Zizzi Group Nottingham and The Casamia Italian Restaurant Chain - Leeds). He was the brainchild behind the Cilantro restaurant in Paignton and the proprietor of the Lavani restaurant in Wellswood, Torquay, which was the first Indian restaurant to win the prestigious Gold Award by the 'Taste of the West' three years in a row for promoting local Devon produce with an Indo-Devon menu. He has been involved in hospitality from a very young age, working in all areas from kitchens, bars, restaurants, and conferencing. He has over 35 years of experience in the hospitality, finance, and training sectors. He has worked with major industry brands both in India and in the UK. 

With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, in 2016 he diversified into the food manufacturing sector with an online Indian food boutique featuring artisan Indian cuisine using secret spice concoctions and magical mixes with a dash of Devon. Embark upon the most versatile, innovative, and pioneering (VIP) Indian food products to hit the UK shores!  'India in a Jar' by Lavani in an effort to realize his childhood dream to literally present 'India in a Jar' with his unique family recipes. With over 61 different varieties these products are creating a culinary storm at various local food markets, produce markets, farmer’s markets, farm shops and have a very good following on social media. A no-nonsense; non-celebrity chef finally moving to the retail and manufacturing sector. 

Products include a wide variety of 100% plant-based vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free Indian curry pastes and masala mixes, 'DIY Do Indian Yourself' ready-to-cook instant Indian spice powder blends, Indian marinades and rubs, Indian pickles, Indian chutneys, Indian relishes, and accompaniments, Indian cooking ingredients, whole spices with SSS Secret Spice Society, and DIY (Do-Indian-Yourself) Indian recipes. He places a big emphasis on the full marketing mix; utilizing digital, PR campaigns and creative tactics to drive customers into the business to deliver results. Also the founder of ‘IN NEED INDEED’ charity. 

He has exhibited his culinary skills at various food festivals and on YouTube. In 2015 he appeared in an English movie (Bad Education-The Movie) alongside comedy legends Harry Enfield and Jack Whitehall.

A treat to the senses! Dig in! Be thrilled! Let the spirit of ‘India in a Jar' Indian food store enliven your taste buds! Let's celebrate the diversity of Great Britain. Om Santi!
 

THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE CHEF ENTERS THE FOOD AND INFLUENCES THE EATER!
A CURRY A DAY KEEPS WORRY AWAY!