Brands
Naturals Now and Singapore Tourism Board partner for pandan-flavoured sundae
Mumbai: Singapore is home to a famously diverse dining culture and nightlife reflective of the city’s multicultural heritage and ceaseless innovation. Over the past year, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has been introducing Indian audiences to the island city’s food culture as part of a gastronomical series called ‘Taste Obsession.’ Adding another chapter to the series, STB has partnered with artisanal ice cream parlour, Naturals Now, to launch a limited-edition pandan-infused ice cream sundae from the soul of Singapore to the heart of Mumbai.
The inspiration for the sundae came about as a result of a culinary journey to Singapore undertaken earlier this year by Siddhant Kamath, director, Naturals Ice Cream. Multiple visits to the city’s many fresh produce markets and Singapore’s most prominent ice cream institutions, like Apiary and Birds of Paradise, inspired Siddhant to bring the taste of Singapore’s unique flavours and food-obsessed spirit to India.
Singapore’s culinary scene reflects the city’s culturally diverse roots. From Michelin-star restaurants to street eats, Singapore’s dining landscape offers something for every palate. Pandan is one of the unique and authentic Singaporean ingredients used in local cuisine. Known for its aromatic leaves, the iconic herb has a distinctively sweet fragrance that complements the dish it is infused with. The newly introduced sundae combines pandan with jaggery, a layer of coconut, and a sprinkling of thyme waffle crumbs. Additionally, a topping sauce infused with gula melaka, a particularly nutty, smoky Southeast Asian coconut palm jaggery, creates an iconic Singaporean taste experience for Mumbai foodies. This limited-edition ice cream sundae is available only at Naturals Now in Juhu from 7 November to 31 December 2023.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
