Crafting Luxury Weddings and Events: Banquet18’s Founder Tanya Quadros Shares Her Story

An interview with Tanya Quadros, Founder of Banquet18, India’s leading luxury food service providers that specialize in providing catering services for luxury weddings & premium social events.

In this exclusive interview with Tanya Quadros, the founder of Banquet18, India’s premier luxury food service provider, we explore her journey in revolutionizing the catering industry.

Specializing in luxury weddings, premium social events, and niche corporate gatherings, Tanya shares insights into how Banquet18 elevates culinary experiences and transforms events into unforgettable celebrations.

Can you share with us the story behind the founding of Banquet18 and what inspired you to specialize in luxury food services for events?

Tanya Quadros: The founding of Banquet18 was driven by two key inspirations. First, my profound love for food and understanding that food acts as a point of connection for all people.

Anyone can really relate to moments in life being celebrated around food, from gatherings with friends in college, family meals, or the joyful moments of a wedding. These moments become lasting memories that revolve around the dinner table.

Secondly, I discovered that the food needs to be plated & presented aesthetically. In events where guests see food before they taste them, it is important that the presentation and the plating encourages them to eat & take an extra bite.

This is when we recognized that there was a huge gap in the market for the luxury catering services where taste, presentation and visual appeal are paramount.

Customized menus are becoming an essential part of event experiences, especially for luxury weddings and high-end social gatherings. How do you approach creating personalized menus for clients, and what role do they play in redefining the overall event experience?

Tanya Quadros: When we plan a menu, we start by getting to know the couple and their story. We look at their background, family roots, where they’ve lived, and their connection to food. C

ouples who’ve dated often have special memories tied to certain dishes, and we use those moments to create a menu that feels personal and meaningful. This is how I approach menu curation, making it unique to each couple and their event.

Banquet18 is known for its innovation in luxury catering. What are some of the most creative or unique menu concepts you’ve implemented in recent events that truly redefined the guest experience?

Tanya Quadros: Uniqueness in food can be achieved in two ways: by using an ingredient differently or by presenting a dish in a creative way. Let me share an example of each.

Chaat is a common feature at most weddings, but we elevate it by creating a guacamole tokari chaat. This includes a crispy basket filled with guacamole infused with an Indian twist, giving it a fresh and unique flavor.

For presentation, take the classic dabeli, a popular chaat item in Bombay and Gujarat. Instead of serving it in the traditional pav, we transform it into a dabeli bruschetta, where the same mixture is served on bruschetta with traditional toppings. This simple change in presentation adds a modern touch and enhances the dining experience.

When it comes to luxury weddings, there’s often a strong emphasis on personalization. How do you handle requests for highly specialized or unique menu items that reflect the couple’s or host’s individual preferences?

Tanya Quadros: We focus on putting the customer first, and personalization is a big part of what we do. For us, it means three things: making sure everything looks beautiful, telling the unique story of the wedding, and ensuring everyone feels comfortable and enjoys the event. 

For example, if a bride loves Harry Potter, we can create a special bar menu for her sangeet inspired by it. Or, if the bride’s sister has a toddler who is gluten intolerant and only eats millet khichdi, we make sure that’s available too. We go the extra mile to customize every detail and make the event special for everyone.

Luxury clients often have very high expectations. How do you ensure consistency in delivering exceptional service, even under pressure, during large and complex events?

Tanya Quadros: Two key factors drive our success. First, we have a strong, consistent team that deeply understands our customer-focused culture and ensures every detail is accounted for. Second, we recognize that events, especially large ones, are dynamic and can face unexpected challenges.

To address this, we prioritize thorough preparation, which we believe is even more critical than execution. A well-prepared event lays the foundation for smooth operations. Additionally, we always have contingency plans in place to handle any issues that may arise, ensuring the event runs seamlessly.

What challenges have you faced as a female entrepreneur in a competitive and often male-dominated industry, and how have you overcome them?

Tanya Quadros: As a female entrepreneur, I’ve faced significant challenges in what is largely a male-dominated industry. Initially, many people doubted my ability to handle the work.

However, after nearly a decade in the business, clients now recognize my experience and the consistent results we’ve delivered, although we still encounter skepticism at times. 

Another challenge is working in an industry where most team members are male. Gaining their respect and ensuring they understand that a woman can lead effectively can be difficult.

However, when they see me on the ground, working shoulder to shoulder with them, putting in the same hours, and contributing equally or more, they come to respect my capabilities.

A significant part of Banquet18’s success lies in the aesthetics we create and the strong flavor profiles we offer qualities where women often excel, and these have been instrumental in establishing our reputation.

Tanya Quadros’ vision for Banquet18 continues to set new benchmarks in luxury catering. Her dedication to excellence ensures that every event is a masterpiece, blending exquisite cuisine with unparalleled service to create unforgettable moments for clients.

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