‘Mumbai Loses Part of Its Soul’: Britannia & Co Founder Dies at 97

Kohinoor, 97, was a senior partner at the famous Britannia & Co restaurant in South Mumbai.

Owner of the famous Britannia & Co restaurant in South Mumbai Boman Rashid Kohinoor passed away on Wednesday, 25 September, at the age of 97 at the Parsee General Hospital, news agency PTI reported.

According to a report from Conde Nast Traveller, Kohinoor had been in the ICU for over two weeks.

The Britannia & Co restaurant was set up by Rashid Kohinoor, Boman's father in 1923 while he was a senior partner. He took charge of the eatery after his father passed away in an accident.

Kohinoor was known for always present at the restaurant, often found chatting with his visitors.

Kohinoor, who called himself ‘the Royal family’s fan number 1’, had in a viral video invited the royal couple to his restaurant for a meal.

Kohinoor had met Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Middleton during their visit to Mumbai three years ago. They had invited Kohinoor for an out-of-schedule meeting at The Taj Mahal Palace hotel and had an hour-long tete-a-tete with him.

‘Mumbai Loses Part of Its Soul, Illustrious History’: Emotional Tweets Pour In

So many fond memories of great conversations at #Britannia. Truly an institution: #Mumbai iconic restaurateur Boman Kohinoor dies at 97 https://t.co/gJTAuZm5Pn via @IndianExpress

— Sceptical Scribe (@rinachandran) September 26, 2019

It is heartbreaking to report that the love of our life, Mr Boman Rashid Kohinoor, senior partner of Britannia & Co Restaurant, passed away at Parsee General Hospital at 4:45pm today. He was 97 years old & Bombay's most beloved inhabitant
Photo by Hashim as Mr. Kohinoor would say pic.twitter.com/DEU77GAJUH

— Bombaywalla (@BombaywallaBlog) September 25, 2019

Bombay lost a little a part of its soul today. Boman Kohinoor, without really knowing us, had been like a distant family member — someone we think of fondly, and visit once a year. Here’s a picture of him taking our last food order. Folks up above, you’re in for a treat. RIP. pic.twitter.com/4QmvPCFbML

— Rahul Fernandes (@newspaperwallah) September 25, 2019

Has Akshay Kumar announced that he's playing Boman Rashid Kohinoor in the film Britannia yet?

— Ashok Lalla (@ashoklalla) September 26, 2019

Not a MasterChef, not a nouveau food blogger or influencer, yet he won hearts and legions of happy, customers through his endearing food & storied banter as he ran Ballard Estate's Britannia for 7+ decades.

Boman Rashid Kohinoor, you've earned your rest at 97. RIP. pic.twitter.com/R4auW9ZZaB

— Ashok Lalla (@ashoklalla) September 26, 2019

#Bombay lost an icon today! One of the sweetest & cutest people I ever met, Mr. Boman Kohinoor, #Britannia & Co will never be the same without you! Eating there is never going to mean the same again, without you recommending what to eat & those sweet conversations with you. #RIP pic.twitter.com/t776KVedkg

— Ritcha (@RitchStyles) September 25, 2019

With Boman Kohinoor's death, #Mumbai loses a slice of its illustrious history. He was an institution, everything one could wish for in a host, and then some.

Our loss is a boon to the gods above, who now cherish his hospitality. #RIP Mr. Kohinoor https://t.co/GULCAo2UWn

— Rhiju Bhowmick (@Rhiju) September 26, 2019

(With inputs from PTI, The Indian Express and Conde Nast Traveller.)