KERA - The Secret to Authentic South Indian Frozen Food: Savio James
Today we sit with Mr. Savio James, Director of KERA Foods, a brand dedicated to bringing authentic South Indian cuisine to Europe. Specialising in frozen snacks and ready-to-eat meals, KERA offers a delicious range of traditional dishes sourced directly from Kerala. With a focus on quality and authenticity, KERA aims to make these rich flavours accessible to busy families and food lovers alike.
TFS: Welcome to The Founders Story, Mr. Savio James! We’re excited to learn more about KERA and your journey to bring authentic South Indian frozen snacks to Europe.
Mr. Savio James: Thank you for having me! I am thrilled to share our story and the passion behind KERA Foods, as well as our commitment to delivering authentic South Indian cuisine to a wider audience.
TFS: Let us talk about the beginnings of KERA. What inspired you to start the brand and focus specifically on South Indian frozen snacks?
Mr. Savio James: We found a gap in the availability of convenient yet authentic South Indian cuisine in Europe, particularly the rich, diverse snacks from Kerala. We sought to make these traditional, high-quality snacks accessible to those with a love for South Indian food, especially for busy families and food lovers looking for authentic, ready-to-eat options.
TFS: Sourcing and producing frozen foods can be quite challenging. How do you ensure that your products remain authentic and of high quality throughout that process?
Mr. Savio James: You are right; sourcing and maintaining quality can be quite a challenge in the frozen food industry. At KERA Foods, we take several key approaches to ensure our products stay authentic.
First, we source our ingredients directly from Kerala, the heart of South Indian cuisine. This guarantees that the raw materials and key ingredients retain their genuine flavours. We also stick to traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations, which allows us to preserve the exact flavour profiles typical of South Indian cuisine. For instance, our Unnakaya is a Malabar snack renowned for its rich taste, and we collaborate with experienced chefs to create signature dishes like ready-to-eat Kerala curries and side dishes. A good example of this is our KERA Signature Pazhayidom Onam Sadhya.
To address the preservation challenges, we employ modern freezing techniques that help retain the texture, flavour, and nutritional value of our snacks. This way, consumers can enjoy the same quality they would expect from freshly made South Indian dishes. Importantly, all our products are guaranteed to have 0% preservatives, ensuring that quality remains at the forefront of what we do.
TFS: Given your commitment to quality, I can see why your snacks are in demand! Now, could you take us through the journey of KERA from its beginnings to making its mark across Europe?
Mr. Savio James: Thank you, of course. KERA Foods started with a simple goal: to bring the authentic flavours of South India, especially from Kerala to a wider audience in Europe. We noticed there was a real lack of genuine South Indian frozen snacks here and wanted to create a brand that stayed true to traditional recipes while offering the convenience people look for in frozen foods.
In the beginning, we put all our effort into making snacks that were not only delicious but also true to their roots. This was key in building trust with customers who were craving a taste of home. Based in Ireland, our initial focus was on serving the local market. After a lot of research, we developed a brand that was visually appealing and matched the product quality beyond what customers expected.
Once we had our products perfected, we teamed up with wholesale distributors across Europe. This partnership approach allowed us to expand quickly. Now, KERA Foods is available in countries like Malta, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, offering a range of South Indian snacks and ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook options. Today, KERA Foods is a familiar name across Europe, known for bringing the authentic taste of South India to frozen food aisles.
TFS: That is great to hear! What are some of the most popular snacks in your range, and what sets them apart from the rest?
Mr. Savio James: Our customers really appreciate the quality and consistency of our snacks. The Kera Porotta, in particular, has become quite the star, gaining a loyal following as the go-to choice for anyone craving a taste of home. Then, of course, there is Kera Signature—our flagship line with exclusive seasonal treats like Kera Sadhya and Christmas Plum Cakes. These have become much-anticipated delights during the festive season. They add a special touch to celebrations and show our commitment to delivering authentic, memorable flavours.
TFS: How do you keep those traditional South Indian flavours alive in your frozen snacks? It cannot be easy to capture that authenticity in a frozen product, can it?
Mr. Savio James: You are right; it is not easy, but we have got it down to an art! We stick very closely to traditional recipes, ensuring that the flavours remain true to the original dishes. Once everything is cooked to perfection, we use flash-freezing techniques to lock in both the texture and flavour. This means that when people reheat our snacks, they are getting something as close as possible to the real deal. We may tweak a few things here and there, like adjusting moisture levels or refining cooking methods, to ensure the snacks taste just right even after freezing. It is a bit of a science, but trust me, it pays off in the end!
TFS: Every industry has its hurdles, especially in the frozen snack business. What are some of the biggest challenges you encounter, and how do you manage to overcome them?
Mr. Savio James: The frozen snack market is quite the jungle, and it can be tough to make a mark when so many brands offer similar options. That is why we put our energy into innovation, creating unique flavours and healthier twists on traditional snacks. Our branding and packaging are designed to catch the eye, while our targeted marketing strategies help us connect with the right customers. We are not just competing; we are setting benchmarks that others in the industry aspire to reach!
TFS: How do you see the future of South Indian cuisine in Europe, and what part do you believe KERA will play in that exciting journey?
Mr. Savio James: The future of South Indian cuisine in Europe is looking quite bright, especially with more people craving authentic, diverse, and healthier food options. At KERA, we aim to bring those traditional flavours straight to the freezers of both Indian expatriates and curious Europeans eager to explore the delights of South India. With our frozen snacks, we are making it easier for everyone to enjoy these delicious dishes at home. After all, who does not love a taste of Kerala without needing to travel halfway across the globe?
TFS: It sounds like KERA is on a mission to make every European kitchen a mini-Kerala! Now can you share some of the feedback you’ve received from customers and how it has influenced your product offerings?
Mr. Savio James: You are right; we surely do hope so! To answer your question, customer feedback is incredibly important to us. It helps us fine-tune our products and make them even better. For example, we have heard from some customers that our snack sizes are a touch too large for a solo snack, while others prefer family-sized packs for sharing. This inputs shapes what we offer at KERA. Whether it is creating new flavours, adding healthier options, or adjusting our packaging and reheating instructions, we take customer suggestions seriously. By listening to our customers, we can continue to grow and meet the needs of our diverse European audience.
TFS: What strategies do you use to build and maintain strong partnerships with wholesale distributors across Europe?
Mr. Savio James: Building and maintaining strong partnerships with wholesale distributors is key for KERA’s growth and keeping our supply chain running smoothly. We focus on regular and honest communication about product availability, pricing, promotions, and logistics, which really helps build trust. When we keep them informed about any potential hiccups ahead of time, they can plan better and keep their clients happy.
We also offer competitive pricing, bulk discounts, and flexible payment terms to make KERA a good partner for distributors. This approach helps boost their purchases and encourages them to stick with us for the long haul.
TFS: That sounds promising! What are your plans for the future of KERA? Are there any exciting new products or markets you are keen to explore?
Mr. Savio James: Yes, absolutely! KERA has a brilliant chance to promote South Indian cuisine across Europe by mixing authenticity with a dash of innovation. As more people embrace healthier eating habits, our brand is all set to showcase the rich flavours of South India to a wider audience. With European consumers getting more familiar with our cuisine, KERA’s convenient and high-quality frozen snacks can really help us shine in this market.
Let us talk about specific regions. The UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand have vibrant Indian communities and a growing appetite for ethnic and exotic foods. We are keen to tap into this demand by introducing our frozen snacks there, targeting both ethnic and mainstream supermarkets.
Looking at Germany and the EU mainland, our distribution setup in Germany is a great advantage. Its central location and strong logistics will allow us to expand into other European countries easily. We plan to focus on both Indian communities and the increasing number of European consumers who are interested in healthier, plant-based, and authentic ethnic foods.
We are also excited about introducing ready-to-eat meals alongside our snacks. Imagine frozen curries like sambhar and other Kerala specialities, perfect for those busy days when convenience is key. We even have plans for lentil and pulses products, as well as breakfast powders.
We want to keep things fresh and exciting, so we are thinking about rolling out some seasonal or limited-edition products inspired by South Indian festivals or unique ingredients. This is a fun way to mix things up and connect with our customers on a cultural level.
With all these plans, KERA is really on its way to making a mark in the global ethnic food’s scene, especially in frozen snacks. We are eager to serve Indian communities living abroad and those adventurous eaters who are keen to explore new flavours. Exciting times are definitely ahead!
TFS: Wow, Mr. Savio James, thank you for sharing your delicious journey with KERA! I can feel the excitement in your plans for the future. It seems we have discovered a new favourite in South Indian cuisine that we cannot wait to savour!
Mr. Savio James: Thank you! I am thrilled to hear that you are as excited about our journey as I am. At KERA, we are passionate about bringing the authentic flavours of South India to everyone. I was happy to share all this with TFS, and it is wonderful to know that people are eager to experience our offerings. We cannot wait for you to try our snacks and meals!