Canadian company buys UK’s most iconic Indian restaurants, including Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary

TOI correspondent from London: A Canadian company has snapped up some of Britain’s most iconic Indian restaurants, including Michelin-starred Veeraswamy, whose owners are currently in a legal battle to prevent being evicted.Certain affiliates of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax), a holding company based in Toronto, has acquired MW Eat Ltd, which owns fine dining eatery Chutney Mary, famed for its Green Chicken Curry from Goa, and baked venison samosas; Amaya; the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant Veeraswamy; and street dining eatery Masala Zone.MW Eat was founded by Namita Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani with the creation of Chutney Mary in 1990.

Camellia Panjabi, former main board member at Taj Hotels, joined them in 2001. The trio will continue working with Fairfax so there can be a seamless handover as MW Eat’s group of restaurants is expanded.“Fairfax plans to make significant investments in the group to pursue international expansion aligned with the successful brand values and explore new restaurant formats,” MW Eat said.The expansion plans will benefit from Fairfax’s deep understanding of India’s business landscape and commitment to India through several major investments across the Indian economy.

Panjabi, group director of MW Eat, said: “The three MW Eat directors look forward to supporting Fairfax to take our unique brands global.”Prem Watsa, chairman and CEO of Fairfax, said: “We are familiar with hospitality businesses through our operating subsidiary Recipe Restaurant Group and we remain optimistic about the potential for MW Eat over the long term.”The Crown Estate (property portfolio owned by King Charles), which owns Victory House, the building in which Veeraswamy is based, refused to renew Veeraswamy’s lease before it expired last June, saying it needed to completely refurbish the building.The restaurant has been in the same location in Regent Street since 1926 and its patrons have included Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Charlie Chaplin, and Indian maharajahs.MW Eat chairman Mathrani has now taken the Crown Estate to court. Veeraswamy is allowed to stay in the building pending the court hearing expected in 2026, when the restaurant will turn 100.Mathrani told TOI on Thursday: “I will be pursuing the campaign to save Veeraswamy in its current location with unchanged commitment and vigour after the change of ownership. Namita, Camellia and I will continue working with Fairfax and just as importantly, will continue to be responsible for all matters relating to the current dispute. Our position and authority is unchanged.”