A Woman-led Space Where Food, Creativity & Kindness Converge

By: Pallavii Gupta, Founder, The Kind Roastery and Brew Room

Pallavi, a visionary entrepreneur who moved from the fashion industry into food and is passionate about bringing design, seasonality, and conscious dining. With a passion for warm, inclusive spaces and ingredient-forward menus, she champions community impact, mindful gastronomy, and innovation in modern café culture.

In an interaction with Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Pallavii shares her story of moving from fashion to food, along with the philosophy that has been the grounding force of The Kind - a space designed through creativity, intention, and conscious dining.

She reflects on what reimagining vegetarian cookery entails, her thoughts on the development of café culture in India, and how kindness, consistency and purpose remain central to her leadership.
To learn more about Pallavii’s entrepreneurial journey and her vision behind The Kind, read the full article below.

You started in fashion and then found your way to food. What made you take that leap and build something so different like The Kind?

My journey from fashion to food may seem like a shift in industries, but to me, it was a natural evolution of design and purpose. Fashion taught me sensory storytelling, detail, and creating experiences people feel connected to. 

Over time, I realized food held that same power perhaps even more as it engages all your senses. The Kind was born out of that desire to combine creativity with intention and purpose, where every plate, every corner, and every interaction reflects kindness, inclusivity, and warmth.  Food brings people together in a way few art forms can. When I stepped into this industry, I knew I didn’t want to build just another café. I wanted to create a space that respects produce and celebrates vegetarian dining.  

When you look back at your first restaurant journey, what are some of the moments that defined how you connect food and people today?

I remember guests walking in stressed from their day, and leaving lighter after a simple meal or a warm interaction. Those moments taught me the power of comfort on a plate. I also learned how inclusivity builds trust. People came not only to eat but to share milestones, work quietly, or simply breathe. I’ve seen brithdays, kitties, proposals, pitch meetings, anniversaries, baby showers and so much celebration around food. I watched strangers become regulars, and regulars become friends. It taught me that a restaurant should hold space for life to unfold. What also shaped me was working closely with my team and seeing how they carried kindness into every interaction. That inspired me to build The Kind as a place where food invites curiosity, coffee sparks connection, and the community feels part of our story every day. Those experiences shaped The Kind’s identity: ingredient-forward food, thoughtful service, and spaces that nurture. Ultimately, that journey taught me that kindness must guide every part of the dining experience.

The Kind blends design, comfort, and conscious dining. How did your creative background influence the way you imagined its space, mood, and storytelling?

My background in fashion taught me that design must always evoke emotion. When I imagined The Kind, I wanted the space to feel like an exhale of sunlight, earthy tones, greenery, and soft textures working together to create instant calm. We used the outside-in philosophy of design. The food continues that storytelling colour, balance, freshness, and detail on every plate.

I see creativity as a bridge between aesthetics and purpose, so our spaces are minimal yet warm, contemporary yet rooted in nature. Every space is curated to feel kind, personal, and inspiring. My creative background continues to guide how The Kind evolves with its customers. 

The cafe culture in Bangalore has grown tremendously within the past few years. How do you think urban India’s relationship with cafes and food is changing?

I do believe India is shifting from viewing cafés as just places to eat, to embracing them as social and creative hubs. Cafés are no longer about quick service; they are about meaningful experiences, good conversations, and quality craftsmanship. Food is becoming a medium of expression, and customers are deeply engaged in understanding what they consume and where it comes from.

Guests seek transparency in sourcing, design that inspires them, and menus that align with global tastes and local values. There is a noticeable rise in storytelling around food, where ingredients, origins, and techniques matter just as much as the final plate. This cultural shift inspires us to innovate continuously and celebrate dining as a shared emotional experience.

You have modernized vegetarian dining and made it exciting. What goes into reimagining traditional ingredients for today’s curious, conscious diners?

Reimagining vegetarian dining begins with a deep respect for traditional ingredients and the stories they carry. We focus on technique, presentation, and modern pairing styles that give familiar produce a refreshing and global personality.

Our Jackfruit Latte is testament to just that. Our culinary philosophy revolves around creating balance: comfort and creativity, local roots and global outlook, resonance, exploration and delight. By celebrating vegetables as the heroes of the plate, we show that vegetarian cuisine is not a compromise but a confident and exciting choice for the modern guest.

Each of The Kind outlets expresses a unique personality yet feels connected. How do you bring consistency while letting each space evolve in its own way?

The common thread remains in our service culture, the food, our attention to craft, and the warmth we extend to every guest. Our brand language is cohesive, but never rigid, because we believe a café must feel alive and adaptable. Our goal is for guests to feel the same comfort and connection regardless of which location they visit, while still discovering something new in every space. Our team culture ensures guests feel familiar comfort across locations. 

LAST WORD: Message for Women Dreaming of Creating Something of Their Own

Women are born as nurturers. Creativity flows when you allow yourself to explore without fear of judgment. Just have conviction and clarity to begin with and follow that with consistency. 

Consistency is what turns dreams into reality; progress doesn’t always look grand, but small steps taken daily create powerful change. Surround yourself with people who believe in your strength, and don’t shy away from celebrating your achievements. The journey of building something of your own is brave, beautiful, and demanding, but incredibly rewarding when you lead you team with passion and purpose. The world needs more women leading, creating, and shaping industries with empathy.