A Taste of Passion: Silk, Nepal's Premier Ice Cream Brand
A Culinary Journey from Europe to Nepal
Rishav Agrawal, the founder of Silk, is not your typical businessman. Born into a
traditional Marwadi family in Nepal, Rishav pursued business studies but always
harboured a deep-seated passion for the culinary arts. This passion led him to Europe where he underwent culinary training followed by an apprenticeship under honed chefs. It was during his time in a European gelateria that Rishav truly honed his craft, gaining invaluable insights into the art of ice cream making. Returning to Nepal with dreams of opening a fine dining restaurant, Rishav instead chose to follow his passion for ice cream, creating the brand now known as Silk.
The name 'Silk' came to him during a bike ride, symbolising the smooth and rich texture that would define his products.
Uncompromising Quality and Natural Ingredients
Silk stands out in the crowded ice cream market of Nepal by committing to 100% natural ingredients. No artificial colours, extracts, or processed materials find their way into Silk ice creams. Each batch is freshly made with a focus on high-quality, seasonal flavours using local fruits and premium imported ingredients. During special times like Dashain, Silk delights its customers with unique offerings like green apple flavour, sourced from Mustang. The brand takes pride in its ability to create custom flavours, catering to the discerning tastes of its customers while maintaining a luxurious and branded customer experience.
Marketing the Silk Way: Authentic and Minimalist
Rather than spending heavily on advertising, Silk has relied on word-of-mouth,
occasionally supplemented by selective influencer marketing. This strategy allows the
brand to focus resources on optimising product quality over flashy marketing
campaigns. Silk’s approach has cultivated a loyal customer base that appreciates the unique and high-quality offerings of a home-grown brand, distinguishing it from
international competitors like Baskin Robbins and Mövenpick.
Facing the Challenges Head-On
Despite its success, Silk faces several challenges. The market in Kathmandu is nearing saturation with five outlets, and expanding to other cities like Pokhara presents its own set of hurdles because of the overwhelming costs involved in the process. Additionally, Rishav maintains that Silk is not currently entertaining franchises as he does not wish to compromise on his quality of ice creams.
While Silk prides itself in its custom selection of flavours, there are challenges to its
aspirations. For instance: supply chain issues, particularly in sourcing enough local
ingredients such as raspberries, pose significant obstacles to maintaining the
consistency and availability of local flavours. Introducing such unique berries to ice
cream flavours has the potential to elevate the brand's image even further. However, the supply chain issue will certainly be a tough nut to crack.
Furthermore, educating consumers about the pricing of Silk’s products continues to be a challenge. The premium ingredients and meticulous craft that go into each scoop justify the higher price point, a fact that Rishav believes will eventually be embraced by more consumers. As someone who has dwelled in the culinary market of Europe, Rishav also believes that his ice creams will appeal to European markets.
The Future Looks Flavorful
With its commitment to quality and innovation, Silk is a story of passion and
perseverance. Silk’s dedication to offering unmatched ice cream experiences reflects
the spirit of its founder. As the brand continues to navigate challenges and expand its horizons, one thing remains clear: Silk is poised to redefine the ice cream landscape in Nepal and beyond, one scoop at a time.
