Kishore Bajaj was an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of the Badasaab Group of Companies. He is known for his contributions to the hospitality industry in India, having co-founded the famous Indigo Restaurant in Mumbai in 1999. Indigo quickly became one of the most popular fine dining restaurants in the city, known for its sophisticated cuisine and elegant ambiance.
Bajaj expanded his business ventures to include several other successful restaurants, such as Neel at Tote on the Turf, Nara Thai, and Qualia. He is also the founder and chairman of KA Hospitality, which manages a portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in India and abroad, including the iconic Crawford Market in Mumbai.
As the founder and CEO of KA Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Bajaj owns and operates several high-end restaurants in India, including Yauatcha and Hakkasan.
Apart from his business ventures, Bajaj was actively involved in philanthropy and social causes.He is a trustee of the Kishore & Kailash Bajaj Charitable Trust, which provides funding for various causes, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
Bajaj has supported various initiatives in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious “Entrepreneur of the Year” award by the Economic Times.
Kishore Bajaj passed away on March 17, 2023 due to undisclosed reasons.
About KA Hospitality
KA Hospitality Pvt Ltd, a hospitality company owns and operates several high-end restaurants in India, including Yauatcha and Hakkasan.
Yauatcha is a Michelin-starred dim sum teahouse and patisserie that was first established in London in 2004. Kishore Bajaj brought the concept to India in 2011, opening the first Yauatcha in Mumbai. Since then, Yauatcha has expanded to other cities in India, including Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Hakkasan is a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant that was first established in London in 2001. Kishore Bajaj brought the concept to India in 2011, opening the first Hakkasan in Mumbai. The restaurant offers contemporary Cantonese cuisine and has since expanded to other cities in India, including Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Kishore Bajaj’s company, KA Hospitality, also owns and operates several other restaurants in India, including Nara Thai, Qualia, and Blanco.
Kishore Bajaj’s Career Growth
. Born in Mumbai in 1959, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Mumbai before embarking on his career.
In 1983, Kishor Bajaj founded the Badasaab Group, which later became the Bajaj Group, marking the beginning of his journey in the hospitality industry. Under his leadership, the Bajaj Group emerged as one of India’s leading hospitality and real estate companies, with a portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts, and residential properties. Kishor Bajaj’s contributions to the fine dining industry and his efforts in establishing Mumbai as a gastronomic hub were widely recognized.
Aside from the hospitality and real estate sectors, Kishor Bajaj was an active investor in the healthcare industry. He established several hospitals and clinics across India, providing quality healthcare services to underprivileged communities.
Kishore Bajaj’s Indigo Restaurant
Kishore Bajaj is widely known for his contributions to the hospitality industry in India, and his most notable establishment is Indigo, a fine dining restaurant located in Mumbai. Bajaj co-founded the restaurant in 1999, and it quickly became one of the most popular dining destinations in the city.
Indigo is known for its sophisticated cuisine and elegant ambiance. The restaurant’s menu features a mix of European and Asian dishes, and its wine list boasts an extensive selection of international and Indian wines. Indigo has won numerous awards, including the “Best Restaurant in India” award by Time Out magazine in 2014 and 2015.
Bajaj’s vision for Indigo was to create a dining experience that combines excellent food with impeccable service, in a warm and welcoming environment. The restaurant’s success led Bajaj to expand his business ventures to include several other successful restaurants, such as Neel at Tote on the Turf, Nara Thai, and Qualia.
As the founder and chairman of KA Hospitality, Bajaj manages a portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in India and abroad, including the iconic Crawford Market in Mumbai. He owns and operates several high-end restaurants in India, including Yauatcha and Hakkasan.
Kishore Bajaj’s contributions to the fine dining industry and his efforts in establishing Mumbai as a gastronomic hub were widely recognized. He was awarded the prestigious “Entrepreneur of the Year” award by the Economic Times in 2018.
How Kishore Bajaj renovated Crawford Market in Mumbai
Kishore Bajaj’s involvement with Crawford Market in Mumbai dates back to 2008 when he acquired a 30-year lease on the historic building. The Crawford Market, also known as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, is a landmark structure in Mumbai, and one of the oldest and busiest markets in the city. It was built in 1869 and designed by British architect William Emerson.
After acquiring the lease, Kishore Bajaj invested in the renovation and restoration of the building, which had fallen into disrepair over the years. The renovation project aimed to restore the building’s original grandeur and make it a modern retail and hospitality destination.
Today, Crawford Market is a bustling hub of retail activity, with over 500 shops selling everything from fresh produce to clothing, jewelry, and household items. Kishore Bajaj’s KA Hospitality manages the food and beverage outlets within the market, which includes several popular restaurants and cafes such as The Clearing House and The Bohri Kitchen.
Kishore Bajaj’s vision for the Crawford Market was to create a unique experience for visitors that blends the old-world charm of the building with modern amenities and world-class hospitality. His efforts have helped revitalize the market and put it back on the map as a must-visit destination in Mumbai.
Kintu Bajaj – Kishore Bajaj’s wife
Kintu Bajaj is the wife of Kishor Bajaj, and she serves as the director of the restaurant business of KA Hospitality, just like her husband. Kintu has been actively involved in various sectors and often accompanies Kishor to important events and functions. She is also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment initiatives and has been associated with companies that serve this cause.
Kintu Bajaj was known for supporting her husband and was often present alongside him during events and functions. Additionally, she supported women’s empowerment initiatives and was associated with companies serving this cause.
Kishore Bajaj – Net Worth
Kishore Bajaj was a prominent figure in the hospitality and real estate industry in India, and his net worth reflected his success in these fields. According to various sources, Kishore Bajaj’s net worth at the time of his death was around $60 million.
Bajaj started his journey in the hospitality industry with the establishment of the Badasaab Group, which later became the Bajaj Group. Under his leadership, the group diversified its portfolio, including luxury hotels, resorts, and residential properties, establishing the Bajaj brand as one of the leading players in the industry.
Aside from his success in the hospitality industry, Bajaj was also an active investor in the healthcare sector, with several hospitals and clinics across India. He also established the Kishore & Kailash Bajaj Charitable Trust, which provided funding for various causes, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
Bajaj’s net worth was a reflection of his business acumen and his passion for creating world-class hospitality and real estate ventures. His contributions to the fine dining industry, as well as his efforts in establishing Mumbai as a gastronomic hub, were widely recognized and appreciated.