Chefs Shaun Kenworthy (in foreground) & Rajesh Dubey at Chef, U and METRO. Picture by Pabitra Das

After what may seem like an interminable wait, Metro Cash & Carry — the business-to-business wholesale service provider — is all set to open doors in Calcutta on December 3.

Situated on E.M. Bypass, the sprawling 100,000-sq-ft outlet is the fifth of its kind in India. The outlet stocks an assortment of about 18,000 products, which includes 8,000 food and 10,000 non-food items, all available under one roof. Metro Cash & Carry will cater to professional customers such as hotels, restaurants, and caterers as well as small and mid-sized retailers.

“Metro Cash & Carry aims to help reduce working capital. It will be especially beneficial to the small retailers as they will not have to go through the multi-layered supply chain of many vendors anymore,” said Kanishka Mazumdar, specialist, Target Group Management.

The pre-launch programme Chef, U and METRO on Friday, focused on menu merchandising with the hotels, restaurants and caterers group as its target customer. Chefs Rajesh Dubey of Mainland China and Shaun Kenworthy shared some of their signature Oriental recipes with around 25 participants, most of them chefs, purchase managers of hotels and restaurants, and caterers. Using ingredients available at Metro Cash & Carry, the chefs whipped up Warm Salad Of King Shrimp, Snow Peas and Black Bean, Ginger Dressing and Chicken with Cashews and Smoky Chilli, for the main course and Crisp Fried Litchi Nuts, Thai Dipping Syrup and Ice Cream for dessert.

“I am very excited for, as a restaurateur, this gives me an opportunity to pick anything up, from tomatoes to chefs’ uniforms,” smiled Shaun. In similar events over the next few weeks, Chef, U & Metro will cover Mediterranean, Continental and Indian cuisine and round it off with a wine and Turkey festival prior to Christmas.

A day after the December 3 launch, Metro Cash & Carry will be open for business, remaining open seven days a week between 6am and 10pm. The minimum purchase value is Rs 1,000. The parking lot can accommodate up to 500 four wheelers and 250 two wheelers. There are tie-ups with logistical service providers for delivery.

But only registered customers of Metro Cash & Carry can avail of these benefits. To enrol and become a Cash & Carry cardholder, valid business documents like a trade license, VAT registration certificate and an ID proof are pre-requisites, after which store officials will scrutinise the premises of the business unit before the final nod is given for the card.

In addition to daily kitchen needs like vegetables, fish, meat, spice, wine and beverages, this super-sized warehouse also stocks kitchen equipment like cooking bonnets, uniforms and shoes for staff, napkins, cutlery, crockery and furniture as well as office supplies.

IPSHITA NANDI