Sanjiv Dhar of Spice Kraft, Inc. named a “Restaurateur of the Year”

The RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) recently named East Providence, RI resident and current RIHA Board of Directors member Sanjiv Dhar, president of Spice Kraft, Inc., as the 2022 recipient of the “Restaurateur of the Year Award” in the “Restaurant Group” category at the 32nd Annual Stars of the Industry Awards Ceremony at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC).

Dhar, a native of Calcutta, India, came to the United States to attend graduate school at Johnson & Wales University. Upon successful completion of his degree, he joined Marriott Marquis in New York, NY as a restaurant manager. With his wife as his business partner, Dhar currently owns four Indian restaurants (Kabob & Curry, Chaska, Rasa, and Rasoi) and Indian Accent Catering - a catering brand that services Indian weddings and events at some of the finest venues in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Dhar, a native of Calcutta, India, opened Kabob & Curry in Providence, Rhode Island in 1990 under the umbrella of India House Inc., where he is the president and CEO. In 2006, Dhar started Swades Inc., also operating as its president and CEO, and opened Rasoi, a restaurant specializing in the regional cuisines of India, in Providence. From there, he opened East Greenwich’s Rasa in 2013 via India House Inc., and Cranston’s Chaska through his own Spice Kraft Inc. in December of 2019, just before the start of the pandemic.

“Despite navigating the operations of numerous restaurants throughout the pandemic, he readily joined the Association’s board of directors this year, pledging his time, energy and efforts to help strengthen the organization,” said Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO, RI Hospitality Association (RIHA)/RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF). “For his continued contributions to the industry, we’re proud to honor Sanjiv with this award.”

Dhar’s initial experience working in hospitality came during his time in India, where he managed various outlets of a five-star property in New Delhi. He received a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration/management from Fachhochschule Salzburg in 1985, and a master’s degree in hospitality administration/management from Johnson & Wales University in 1990.