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-Priyadarshi Shastri | IMAWS (cbedit@imaws.org)
We live in an ever-evolving world of flavours and food, Stonefield Flavours has put itself at the top in the innovative, high-quality ingredients that can cater to people with any taste and preference. Sitting at the top of a rapidly growing company is Sandeep Devgan with a vision for both sustainability and creativity in the food industry.
In an exclusive interview, we got the opportunity to talk to Sandeep to discuss his leadership and the company’s journey. Keep scrolling-
Please tell the story behind Stonefield’s founding and the company’s early challenges.
Stonefield was born out of a shared dream. A group of passionate flavourists, food technologists, and sales professionals, each an expert in their field, came together to create something extraordinary. We envisioned building the first Indian company capable of competing on equal footing with European giants in the flavours industry.
The idea was inspired by the concept of a “Dream Team”—where individual strengths combine to create something much greater than the sum of its parts. Our mission was simple: deliver world-class flavours and set a new standard for customer service in the industry.
But like any ambitious venture, the journey had its share of challenges. Scaling up operations quickly while maintaining quality was a significant hurdle in the beginning. However, we remained committed to creativity, speed, and building strong partnerships with our clients. These principles helped us overcome the obstacles and establish Stonefield as one of India’s fastest-growing flavour companies.
Stonefield has expanded its footprint globally, and it seems like the company is on a rapid path to international dominance. What’s the strategy behind this global expansion?
The foundation of our global strategy is understanding and respecting local palates while delivering taste solutions that meet international standards. We’ve built a strong R&D ecosystem, invested heavily in market-specific insights, and partnered with global leaders to ensure our flavours resonate across cultures and geographies.
Speed is another key element of our success. We pride ourselves on being agile—whether it’s innovating with cutting-edge taste technology or customizing solutions for specific markets. By staying consumer-focused and maintaining a customer-first approach, we’ve been able to build trust and drive growth internationally.
Where do you see the company in the next 5 to 10 years, and how do you plan to sustain growth and innovation in an increasingly competitive industry?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I see Stonefield becoming a global leader in taste innovation—not just in terms of scale, but also in the impact we have on the industry. Our goal is to be the partner of choice for companies seeking bold, sustainable, and consumer-focused flavour solutions.
To sustain this growth, we will continue to invest in R&D, expand our expertise into emerging markets, and focus on creating clean-label, sustainable solutions. Trends change quickly in the food and beverage industry, and by collaborating closely with our clients and staying ahead of market demands, we aim to remain at the forefront of flavour innovation.
How does Stonefield balance the need for local flavour customization with the standardization of products across global markets?
It’s a balancing act that we’ve mastered over time. We achieve this by maintaining a robust flavour library and leveraging an insights-driven approach. Our local teams work closely with global experts to adapt flavours to regional tastes while ensuring consistency in quality and performance.
This approach allows us to create products that feel authentic and familiar to local consumers yet meet the high standards of global brands. It’s about finding that sweet spot where customization and standardization work hand in hand.
What are the most exciting flavour trends emerging in the bakery sector for 2025? Are there any particular innovations in terms of ingredients or techniques that Stonefield is exploring for bakery applications?
Consumers today are looking for novelty and excitement in their bakery products. Traditional flavours like vanilla and chocolate are still popular but are increasingly being supplemented by more innovative options. According to our latest consumer insights, mithai-inspired flavours and international dessert profiles are set to dominate the bakery space in 2025.
At Stonefield, we’re leading the charge with innovations like Chocolates Cocoa Boosters, which can reduce up to 50% of cocoa in bakery applications without compromising on taste. This offers manufacturers significant cost savings while delivering exceptional flavour. Another example is our DairyONE concentrated dairy boosters, which provide a rich, premium dairy taste to biscuits, cakes, and cookies. These innovations are enabling manufacturers to create standout products that cater to evolving consumer preferences.
What new flavour profiles or combinations do you predict will become popular in 2025, and how is Stonefield preparing to meet these consumer demands?
We expect bold and contrasting flavour profiles to take centre stage. Sweet and savoury pairings, tangy and smoky combinations, or tropical fruits blended with warm spices—like mango with chilli or coconut with cinnamon—are poised to gain popularity.
Stonefield is staying ahead of the curve by continuously expanding our flavour portfolio and investing in the latest taste development technologies. We’re also running extensive consumer-focused research to identify trends early and respond with innovative, market-ready solutions.
Are consumers moving toward more natural, clean-label ingredients, or is there a growing demand for bold, experimental flavour combinations?
We’re seeing both trends emerge simultaneously. Health-conscious consumers are increasingly prioritizing clean-label products with simple, natural ingredients, while others are seeking bold, adventurous flavours that push boundaries and excite their palates.
But here’s the key: eating healthy isn’t just a trend; it’s part of a larger societal shift. As we progress, it’s natural to prioritize better living and transparency in what we consume. At stonefield, we’ve adopted this philosophy wholeheartedly. Even with my plant-based brand, Shaka Harry, we’ve embraced the principle that what we sell should be good enough to serve to our own children. This drives us to make our products as clean and natural as possible while remaining competitive in taste and performance.
By creating solutions that are both wholesome and adventurous, we’re bridging the gap between these two consumer demands and setting new benchmarks for the industry.
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