“It’s heartening to see traditional Indian products and flavours, long celebrated in India, receive the recognition they deserve in countries like Australia,” Tanisha Sharma, CMO, Sharma’s Kitchen

Delicious and decadent dairy was in abundance at the 25th Australian Grand Dairy Awards held in Melbourne hosted by Dairy Australia and the Royal Agriculture Societies. The annual Awards acknowledged excellence, quality and innovation across 18 dairy product classes, attracting entrants from each Australian state.

Indus Age spoke to 2024 Champion Flavoured Dairy Drink winner, Sharma’s Kitchen, CMO, Tanisha Sharma. Read on.

By Nidhi Kumari
Congratulations on winning the 2024 Champion Flavoured Dairy award. Tell us how it feels to be recognized and win an accolade for your efforts once again (since Sharma’s Kitchen’s product Mango Lassi had previously won as well).

Being acknowledged for our dedication to Natural Dairy Goodness is truly a privilege; it affirms that we’re on the right path. Winning awards for various products over the years has been rewarding, but clinching a grand champion title again this time in Milk badam, especially against gold medalists from the mainstream market, underscores our excellence, setting us apart as leaders in our field. It’s been an extraordinary honor to receive the grand champion award for our Milk Badam at both the Australian Grand Dairy Awards and the Sydney Royal Agricultural Society.

Sharma’s kitchen was started in the late 90s.Take us through how it was started to becoming a household name that it is today.

Founded in 1998 by Bipen Sharma, Sharma’s Kitchen started with a simple observation in a bustling restaurant setting. As a restaurateur dealing with the daily demands of making Paneer and Yoghurt, Bipen identified a market need for these staples, sparking the idea that would grow into the business we know today. His dedication to delivering top-quality products has earned the brand its trusted reputation, making it a staple in homes across the region. This commitment to excellence, without compromising on quality, remains our guiding principle.

What according to you has been your USP that has resonated with the people?

Every product from Sharma’s Kitchen is crafted with all-natural ingredients, free from preservatives and colours, ensuring only the good stuff makes it to your table. Our mission is to deliver premium quality offerings that authentically capture the essence of Indian flavors, achieved through the use of traditional recipes and the freshest ingredients. We firmly resist compromising on taste or quality to cut costs, which may be reflected in our premium pricing.

While your product Milk Badam has won an Australian Grand Dairy Award in the Flavored Dairy Drink category, tell us about the other popular drinks at Sharma’s kitchen.

We offer a delightful range of three milk flavors, alongside our award-winning Mango Lassi, which has triumphed with three championship titles. Our Milk Badam leads with four wins. Additionally, our Kesar Milk, a saffron-infused delight, has secured a silver award, while our Khajoor Milk blended with dates and cinnamon has captured gold. The Khajoor Milk, my personal favorite, offers a taste reminiscent of a cold chai latte.

If we had to ask, which is your favorite product that you would like to recommend us?

My top choice is our Probiotic Yoghurt. Being health-conscious, I appreciate the boost of probiotics it provides daily. Its rich, creamy texture is another highlight for me, perfect for enjoying alone as a breakfast treat or paired with a sabzi or paratha.

While your products are mainly quite popular among the desi food lovers, do you also have takers from among the Australian food lovers?

As Australia welcomes an increasing number of migrants and access to information expands, Australians are becoming more adventurous with their culinary choices. Although our yoghurt and mango lassi have long been a staple among ‘Australian Food Lovers,’ we’re now seeing a growing interest in exploring Paneer. Additionally, as awareness of Ghee’s health benefits rises, more Australian consumers are incorporating it into their diets.

With changing times, one has to keep evolving, tell us how you intend to experiment and reinvent with so much of competition and market players?

As the market leader, we embrace our role and privilege to pioneer innovation within the industry. Our company is continuously advancing, committed to researching and developing new ideas. While capacity constraints have limited our ability to meet demand in the past, our new facility has enabled us to explore and introduce unique products more effectively.

Final comments:

I want to express how rewarding it is to see members of our community enjoy our products, and serving them is a true pleasure. It’s heartening to see traditional Indian products and flavours, long celebrated in India, receive the recognition they deserve in countries like Australia.

The Australian Grand Dairy Awards recognize and reward excellence and quality in Australian dairy produce, paying tribute to the achievements of the highly skilled specialists who develop and make these products. Created in 1999, the Australian Grand Dairy Awards are Australia’s most prestigious national dairy awards and the highest accolade for Australian dairy producers.