Brands
ITC Master Chef turns up the heat with new fries and kebab delights
MUMBAI: The freezer aisle just got a little hotter and a whole lot tastier. ITC Master Chef is turning up the flavour dial with two bold new entries to its frozen food spread: Piri Piri French Fries and Chicken Malai Seekh Kebab.
For those who like their snacking with a side of spice, the Piri Piri French Fries bring a fiery twist to a comfort classic. Made from quality potatoes and packed with two sachets of piri piri seasoning, they’re crisp, punchy, and addictive, perfect for air frying or deep frying when that craving hits.
Balancing the heat with something mellow, the Chicken Malai Seekh Kebab steps in with creamy indulgence. Rich in protein and curated with subtle spices and dairy notes, it promises a melt-in-mouth, restaurant-style experience that can be ready in minutes whether on the tawa, in the oven, or microwave.
“With consumers seeking both taste and convenience in their everyday snacking, we are delighted to launch two new products,” said ITC Limited vice president and business head for frozen and fresh foods Ashu Phakey. “The Chicken Malai Seekh Kebab is a treat for kebab lovers, while the Piri Piri Fries bring home the bold, zesty flavours consumers love.”
True to ITC Master Chef’s culinary promise, both products are freshly frozen, crafted with hygiene and care, and backed by the brand’s hallmark of quality. They join recent launches like Sabudana Tikki, Hara Bhara Kebab, and Punjabi Samosa, strengthening the brand’s hold over India’s frozen snacking market.
Now sizzling their way to leading retail and e-commerce shelves, ITC Master Chef’s new duo proves one thing whether you like it hot or mild, this brand has your cravings covered.
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
