Inder’s journey was further inspired by the absence of familiar tastes in a new land. This motivated the team to introduce these cherished flavors to their new home, creating an unforgettable fusion of culinary traditions.
The journey began with countless hours spent in the small kitchen, experimenting with Momo fillings and crafting unique Indian-inspired ice cream recipes. There were challenges from sourcing authentic Indian spices to perfecting the art of Momo making to nailing the texture and taste of ice creams, but the team's determination never wavered.
After months of trial and error, they finally achieved the perfect combination of Indian spices and local produce for their vegetarian momo. Their momo are filled with a variety of delicious vegetarian options, from their signature Original Momo & Masala Paneer to fusion fillings like Spinach, Schezwan & Beetroot momo with Indian spices.
Drawing inspiration from the vibrant flavours of India, they started experimenting with unique ice cream blends. Pink Guava with Salt and Chilli, Roasted Almonds with Saffron, Custard Apple, Alphonso Mango, Pineapple Chaat (Chaat is an Indian powder spice mix) and Chikoo (Sapota) soon found their way into their ice cream machines. They named their venture "Icy Spicy," - Indian Dessert & Momo Bar. Their food soon became a hit among locals and expatriates alike.
Both momo & ice cream at Icy Spicy became local sensations. Their customers couldn't get enough of the delectable momo and the rich, creamy ice creams infused with the essence of India. Their restaurant provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere, where patrons could experience a slice of India in every bite.
Expansion & Franchising:
The co-founders of Icy Spicy had big dreams and aspired to take the brand to new heights. They were determined to establish a food production unit that would help scale the restaurant from a single location to many more. Their opportunity for expansion came when they crossed paths with two investors.
Palash, a serious banker & investor known for his operational expertise & for the knack of turning small names into big brands. Palash is also an hospitality graduate with culinary skills from Taj group of Hotels, India. Manoj has built a remarkable career transforming small retail businesses into successful enterprises. His expertise ranged from store management and supply chain logistics to strategies on business sustainability. When Palash & Manoj dined at Icy Spicy, they were captivated by the culinary talent and their commitment to serving unique Indian cuisine outside of India. They saw the potential to transform Icy Spicy restaurant into something truly special. They soon struck up a conversation that would change the course of the brand.
Both Palash & Manoj along with the founders founded Icy Spicy Foods - a production unit of Icy Spicy. They recognised that many restaurants struggle to maintain a consistent standard of food & quality due to variation in cooking styles, suppliers, vendor reliability. Icy Spicy Foods offers quality, consistent, sustainable and innovative momo & ice cream production unit of Icy Spicy. Over the years, Icy Spicy expanded their small enterprise, opening more Icy Spicy locations in Australia. They have introduced their franchise model and are expanding their chain of brand across Australia with currently 5 shops in NSW, 3 in QLD, 2 in VIC with few more in the pipeline coming to different cities in 2024. Their venture allowed them to introduce the multicultural aspects of Indian cuisine, showcasing the incredible diversity of flavours from various regions.
The story of Icy Spicy serves as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Their journey to bring Indian style vegetarian Momo and Indian flavoured ice creams to a foreign land not only satisfied their own cravings but also enriched the local food scene with the tantalising tastes of India. Today, Icy Spicy has became a go-to-place, celebrated for its exceptional dishes. They inspire others to embrace their cultural roots and share the joy of diverse flavours with the world.