Hyderabad Eateries Struggle with LPG Cylinder Shortage
In Hyderabad, a severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders is causing significant disruptions for restaurants across the city. Many establishments are now reworking their kitchen operations to conserve fuel while striving to keep their most popular dishes available to customers.
Impact of West Asia Conflict on Fuel Supply
Industry players attribute the shortage to disruptions in fuel supply linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. This situation has forced restaurants to ration cylinders, with several operators prioritizing only core menu items and limiting dishes that consume more gas.
Innovative Cooking Methods Adopted
Restaurateurs are experimenting with alternative cooking methods to cope with the crisis. Mohammed Ali of the Shah Ghouse chain of restaurants highlighted their shift to traditional techniques. "We use 300 cylinders across our outlets, but we are not getting even half of that now. We have started cooking biryani on wood fire, and haleem is anyway prepared on wood fire. Only the starters are made using gas, and even that we are doing conservatively," he explained.
Menu Adjustments and Operational Changes
Some restaurant chains are exploring alternative fuel sources to maintain their flagship dishes. Abhik Mitra, managing director and CEO of Paradise Food Court, stated, "We are exploring alternative cooking mechanisms including electricity and PNG to ensure our core dishes remain available. For now, we are operating with a limited menu consisting of biryani, kebabs, and haleem."
Streamlining Kitchen Workflows
Others are rethinking kitchen workflows to reduce LPG consumption. N Bharan Chilamakuri from Panchakattu Dosa shared their approach: "Earlier we used three dosa pattis, but now we are using only two. We are optimising how we cook and using wood fire for items like aloo masala and tomato chutney."
This adaptive response underscores the resilience of Hyderabad's food industry as it navigates challenges posed by external geopolitical factors.
