"Savoring the Flavor of the Season: Barbeque Nation's Mango Tango Menu"

Some Insights from ND Sharma, Culinary Head, Barbeque Nation on Mango Tango Menu.

• What inspired Barbeque Nation to create the Mango Tango menu?

-       The Mango Tango menu was inspired by mango's status as the 'King of Fruits' and its seasonal popularity. We wanted to celebrate this beloved fruit in innovative ways across our menu.  

• Can you describe the key elements and dishes of the Mango Tango menu?

-       While we avoided using mango in starters and main courses due to its sweet-sour nature, we incorporated it creatively in other areas. We introduced mango-based dips like Aam ki Chutney, Mango Salsa, and Mango Chili dip. We also featured Aam Panna Pani Puri. The desserts were our star attractions, with Mango Cheesecake and Mango Mousse being particularly popular, alongside Mango Phirni and mango-infused salads

• How has the public responded to the Mango Tango menu since its launch?

-       Guests have enthusiastically liked the unique combinations, experimenting with pairings like prawns and salsa, or chicken tikka with raw mango chutney. Vegetarians are enjoying the flavourful salsa with paneer, potatoes, and mushrooms. The Som Tum salad has been a pleasant surprise for many. Our mango desserts, especially the Phirni and Mousse, have received love. We've also engaged guests with an in-store tongue twister contest, evoking nostalgia and childlike excitement

• What challenges did Barbeque Nation face while developing and launching this menu?

-       Launching a nationwide menu presents challenges, but our 'Guest First' culture facilitated smooth team alignment. The main challenge was ensuring a consistent supply of quality mangoes, particularly in southern regions where the mango season was ending

• How does the Mango Tango menu differ from previous seasonal or special menus offered by Barbeque Nation?

-       Unlike our typical food festivals that focus on themes or combinations, Mango Tango is our first product-centric promotion. It's also unique in that it doesn't heavily feature our core offering of starters, allowing us to showcase mango's versatility in other menu areas

• What role did marketing and promotions play in the success of the Mango Tango menu?

-       Our marketing strategy centered on the theme 'Give your taste aam ka anokha twist'. We launched an innovative CGI video campaign featuring a mango-laden truck touring Bangalore, building anticipation through influencer engagement. We also implemented creative outdoor advertising in key markets and enhanced in-store experiences with our tongue twister contest

• How did Barbeque Nation source the mangoes for this menu, especially given the seasonal nature of the fruit?

-       We partnered with various brands for mango-based products like crushes, slushes, purees, and pastes. Fresh mangoes were sourced from local vendors, with contingency plans in place to address any quality issues 

• Are there any plans to incorporate elements of the Mango Tango menu into the regular menu?

-       We plan to incorporate some Mango Tango elements, particularly desserts like the cheesecake, mousse, and phirni, into our regular menu. However, we're mindful of quality and availability constraints for fresh mango-based items

• What lessons has Barbeque Nation learned from the Mango Tango menu's success that will influence future offerings?

-       The success of Mango Tango has shown us that even without incorporating a theme into our core starter offerings, we can create an engaging and popular promotion. This insight will influence our approach to future seasonal and special menus