Navi Mumbai-based FMCG company Melting Pot Food Products has partnered with celebrity chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, appointing him as investor and brand ambassador for its Indo-Chinese food brand Inchi, with a target to scale operations to over ₹500 crore in the next five years.
Founded in 2017 by Nikhil Bharti, R P Chatterjee and Manish Pardiwala, Inchi has built a portfolio of more than 100 products in India’s fast-growing Indo-Chinese packaged food segment. The announcement, made on September 19, 2026, positions Chef Harpal not just as a brand face but as an active culinary partner contributing to product innovation and recipe development.
Why Did Melting Pot Food Products Choose Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi?
Nikhil Bharti, Director at Melting Pot Food Products, said the company was looking for a brand face “as universally loved as our products” who also believes deeply in the Indo-Chinese category, calling Chef Harpal “the absolute perfect fit.” The partnership goes beyond a traditional celebrity endorsement deal, with Chef Harpal taking an equity stake as an investor alongside his ambassadorial role, a structure that aligns his incentives directly with Inchi’s growth trajectory.
What Does This Mean for India’s Indo-Chinese Packaged Food Segment?
India’s branded Indo-Chinese food category has expanded rapidly alongside broader growth in the country’s food processing industry, which is targeting a rise from 16-17 per cent processing levels today toward 25-30 per cent by 2030. Inchi’s ₹500 crore target within five years reflects the segment’s headroom, as consumers shift from loose, unbranded sauces and ready-mixes toward packaged, quality-assured alternatives available through both retail and e-commerce channels. The deal also underscores how celebrity chefs are increasingly taking equity positions rather than one-off endorsement fees.
Market Reaction and Industry Response
As a privately held company, Melting Pot Food Products has not disclosed current revenue figures alongside its ₹500 crore target, but the celebrity-led investment model mirrors similar bets made by other founder-led FMCG brands seeking rapid distribution scale-up. Industry watchers note that culinary-expert-led product innovation, rather than pure marketing endorsement, has become an increasingly common strategy for regional food brands trying to compete against larger packaged food players.
What Happens Next?
Chef Harpal is expected to contribute directly to Inchi’s recipe development and product innovation pipeline in the coming months, with the company likely to expand its retail and quick-commerce distribution footprint to support the five-year growth target. Watch for new product launches under the Inchi brand and expanded regional distribution announcements over the next two to three quarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Melting Pot Food Products’ Inchi brand?
Inchi is an Indo-Chinese packaged food brand established in 2017 by Melting Pot Food Products, offering over 100 products across sauces, condiments and ready-to-cook items.
What role will Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi play at the company?
Chef Harpal has joined as both an investor and brand ambassador, and will also act as a culinary partner contributing to recipe development and product innovation for the Inchi range.
What is the company’s growth target?
Melting Pot Food Products aims to scale its operations to over ₹500 crore within the next five years, driven by the new partnership and expanded product innovation.
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