Kolkata Wedding Caterers Face LPG Crisis, Forced to Slash Menus and Reject Orders
In a significant blow to wedding celebrations in Kolkata, leading caterers across the city are either drastically truncating their menus or completely refusing to accept new orders for the next 30 to 45 days. This unprecedented move is a direct response to a severe shortage of LPG cylinders, which has left the industry scrambling to fulfill existing commitments while avoiding culinary staples like mutton biryani, chicken biryani, mutton kosha, and tandoori items.
Caterers Halt New Bookings and Adapt with Induction Cookers
Anjan Chatterjee, owner of Speciality Catering Services under the Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta group, confirmed that his company will not take any fresh orders for the next 45 days. "We are purchasing large industrial induction cookers to manage existing orders and will use a hybrid approach of LPG and induction at events where we supply food," he explained. This shift highlights the industry's urgent pivot to alternative cooking methods to sustain operations.
Sushanta Sengupta, director of 6 Ballygunge Place, has similarly stopped accepting new orders for the next 30 days, focusing solely on serving existing clients. Even for these commitments, Sengupta noted that they are proposing shorter menus that require minimal LPG usage. "Our signature is Bengali dishes, but we may have to restrict them due to the gas crisis," he added, underscoring the tough choices caterers are making.
Signature Dishes Dropped as Cylinder Stocks Dwindle
Aniruddha Barik, owner of Bijoli Grill, revealed that his establishment is prioritizing existing commitments while avoiding new orders. "We are specifically steering clear of biryani and tandoori items, which are traditionally gas-intensive," Barik stated. This sentiment is echoed by Rana Chatterjee of Bhoj Caterers, who has decided not to accept any new clients until at least mid-April, except for regular patrons.
Chatterjee provided a stark insight into the logistical challenges: "We barely have 20 cylinders left. Based on rough estimates, we typically use four cylinders to serve 300 people at a standard Bengali wedding. To cope, we have invested in big induction cookers—using six per wedding—and are requesting clients to omit naan and tandoor items, with only rice and meat being cooked using gas."
Last-Minute Scrambles and Creative Solutions
The crisis has forced caterers to innovate under pressure. Anik Ghosh of Maharaja Caterers described a frantic situation 48 hours prior, when they needed to serve around 2,000 guests across three venues. "We checked our district units, found stocked gas cylinders, and booked a truck to transport them all to the city," Ghosh recounted, highlighting the desperate measures taken to avoid cancellations.
On the client side, couples and families are facing unexpected adjustments. Abhishek Dasgupta, a groom and bank employee from Jadavpur, had to replace naan at the last minute. Ratan Chakraborty from Barasat, whose media professional son had a wedding reception on Wednesday, shared that his caterer warned snacks might not be served hot. "They said they would use hotpots to store the starters instead," Chakraborty added, illustrating the compromises being made to ensure events proceed.
Impact on Upcoming Wedding Seasons
With only two wedding dates in March still manageable through menu reductions, the industry is bracing for a challenging period through mid-April. The collective move by caterers to limit or eliminate beloved dishes reflects a broader operational crisis, driven by LPG shortages that threaten to dampen the festive spirit of Kolkata's wedding season. As families and caterers navigate these constraints, the focus has shifted to practicality over tradition, with induction cookers and shortened menus becoming the new norm.
