United Kingdom x India x Bengaluru: Joining Forces for a Cause
Indian-origin Youth MP Aryaveer Baljee Collaborates with MW Eat to Establish Sustainable Food Bank Network
A collaborative endeavor is underway! Aryaveer Baljee, Youth MP of Hampshire and a prominent figure in the culinary scene, has teamed up with MW Eat for an innovative dining-based fundraiser. Let's fuel our bellies and our communities with this noble initiative, called Innova@ve Dining, aimed at supporting food banks across regions.
Aryaveer's impact extends not only to his homeland but also to India, where he plans to implement a similar model, tentatively named #Paisas4Plates.
MW Eat, the culinary powerhouse behind Amaya, Veeraswamy, Chutney Mary, and Masala Zone, has entered into this charitable alliance with Aryaveer Baljee. This partnership is pioneering a steady stream of funding for food banks via a novel initiative aptly named Pounds 4 Plates.
Aryaveer Baljee with Ranjit Mathrani, co-founder of MW Eat Ltd
Aryaveer, being the grandson of Royal Orchid Hotels' Chairman & Managing Director Chander K Baljee and the son of Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels, is no stranger to the hospitality industry. Inspired by the success of the project's initial run, Aryaveer is now focusing on launching the movement in India.
Between the 14th of April and the 28th of April 2025, a voluntary 0.25% service charge will be added to diners' bills across MW Eat's restaurants. The funds generated will be donated directly to The Winchester Beacon, a charity addressing homelessness and food insecurity.
This collaboration serves as a test run for what Aryaveer Baljee envisions as a nationwide hospitality-led philanthropic model.
"I strongly believe that hospitality transcends service; it acts as a bridge that unites individuals, bolsters communities, and fosters understanding between cultures. In a time of division, offering a simple welcome can prove a powerful catalyst for social change. In this effort, the hospitality sector is connecting with a greater purpose - alleviating homelessness, a cause I pledged to uplift as part of my election manifesto in 2024."*
This initiative serves as an inspiring example of how the hospitality sector can creatively contribute to social welfare without disrupting the overall dining experience.
Sources
[1] Pounds 4 Plates raises £3000 to combat food insecurity and homelessness (2023, January 20)
[2] MW Eat forms strategic alliance with Hampshire Youth MP Aryaveer Baljee for sustainable food bank funding (2025, March 15)
[3] Aryaveer Baljee sets sights on India for expansion of Pounds 4 Plates (2024, January 25)
- Aryaveer Baljee, with his experience in the hospitality industry and a passion for bridging cultures, aims to expand the Pounds 4 Plates movement to India, promoting a unifying culture by combining food-and-drink experiences with philanthropy.
- The forthcoming collaboration between Aryaveer Baljee and Bengaluru, India, will not only involve dining events but will also bring about positive change in the local lifestyle by supporting home-and-garden initiatives, addressing food security and homelessness issues.
- In addition to the United Kingdom's successful Pounds 4 Plates initiative, featuring events at MW Eat's renowned restaurants like Amaya and Veeraswamy, this unique fusion of food-and-drink, dining, and social welfare is set to redefine the charity landscape in both countries, emulating a compelling model of cultural unity and community development.
