Richa Khandelwal, Founder & Managing Director, Leads Brand Connect

Luxury today, TheGlitz avers, is no longer defined merely by exclusivity… it is shaped by authenticity, heritage, craftsmanship, and meaningful experiences. Few understand this evolution better than Richa Khandelwal, Founder & Managing Director, Leads Brand Connect, a visionary brand strategist known for introducing discerning audiences to exceptional global brands and experiences.

Most recently, Richa brought the essence of Portugal to India through an immersive showcase of Coração Do Vale, one of Portugal’s finest extra virgin olive oil brands, in collaboration with celebrated culinary maestro Chef Davinder Kumar (Chef DK). Titled “Portugal’s EVOO Meets India’s Flavour: Coração Do Vale x Chef DK,” the experiential launch celebrated the seamless union of Portuguese excellence and Indian culinary artistry.

Hosted as an elegant sensory journey, the event highlighted how premium extra virgin olive oil can transcend borders, cultures, and cuisines while appealing to India’s increasingly sophisticated gourmet consumer.

With a deep understanding of luxury branding, consumer behaviour, and experiential storytelling, Richa has played a pivotal role in positioning Coração Do Vale not merely as an ingredient, but as a symbol of elevated living, one that embodies wellness, provenance, and refined taste. Her passion for bringing authentic global narratives to Indian audiences continues to redefine the way premium food and lifestyle brands engage with the market.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Richa Khandelwal, Founder & Managing Director, Leads Brand Connect, talks to Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheGlitz, about discovering Coração Do Vale, the growing appetite for artisanal gourmet products in India, collab with Chef DK and why storytelling remains the most powerful ingredient in building a luxury brand.

Over To Richa Khandelwal, Founder & Managing Director, Leads Brand Connect

What first convinced you that Coração Do Vale would resonate with the Indian consumers?

Richa Khandelwal – Coração do vale was first an accident and then a conscious choice in my case. It just came to me as a sample on my table from the manufacturers who were looking for a market in India. The team from Lagar made me take a leap of faith when they made me consume it like a shot. For the first time in my life, I had tasted raw oil but that turned out to be the game changer for me. It just landed like nectar instead of oil…so smooth and light and flavourful that I was immediately a fan.

Out of curiosity I delved into its origin and lineage and visited the valley of Baixo Alentejo to witness the age old process of olive growing and oil extraction. I was finally convinced that Portugal was home to some of the finest varities of olives which are singly sourced and responsibly harvested to create world’s most regarded olive oil.

A few years ago, people just bought ‘imported olive oil’ without a second thought. Today, we want to know the story behind our food. We care about where it comes from, who made it, and if it’s the real deal. When I first experienced Coração Do Vale, coming straight from these stunning, historic groves in Portugal’s Baixo Alentejo region, I knew it would click. It has this undeniable honesty and traceability that today’s mindful Indian consumer is actively searching for.”

You described the brand as having a distinct “personality.” What makes it stand out?

Richa Khandelwal – To me, Coração Do Vale isn’t just an oil in a kitchen shelf—it actually is a lifestyle product, a status symbol on your table. Comes in a black and gold bottle, crafted from native Portuguese olive varieties. Tasting it is a whole journey. It starts with this incredibly fresh, vibrant aroma of green grass and fruit, moves into a smooth, creamy texture, and leaves you with this lovely, peppery little kick at the back of your throat. It doesn’t try to overpower your food; it works with it. That balance gives it a character that goes way beyond just being a healthy cooking medium, it is liquid luxury in a bottle.

The launch was an immersive tasting experience. How important is storytelling today?

Richa Khandelwal – You can’t build a luxury brand by just putting a bottle on a supermarket shelf and hoping for the best. That’s why we completely skipped the standard, boring press conference and created ‘The Portuguese Pour’ at Le Méridien. Luxury isn’t something you explain to someone; it’s something you experience. By bringing people together for an intimate afternoon of flavors, we let them live the story of Portugal’s heritage through every dish. When people understand the passion, the history, and the craft behind what they’re eating, the connection becomes emotional, not just transactional.”

How do you see premium extra virgin olive oils fitting into the future of Indian dining?

Richa Khandelwal – We really want to break the myth that extra virgin olive oil is only meant for Western salads or cold pastas. Because Coração Do Vale is made from an early harvest and cold-extracted, it’s incredibly smooth and versatile. At our launch event, we proved exactly how beautifully it pairs with bold flavors. It is the future of everyday luxury cooking in India. Whether you’re using it to finish a piece of artisanal bread or drizzling it over experimental Indian fusion dishes, it elevates a regular home-cooked meal into something truly special.”

What inspired the collaboration with Chef DK?

Richa Khandelwal – It was honestly a match made in heaven, rooted in a deep respect for mastery. We were looking for the perfect voice to introduce the brand, and it beautifully aligned with Chef Davinder Kumar celebrating an incredible 55 years in the culinary world.

Chef DK is an absolute legend who knows exactly how to bridge classic European techniques with authentic Indian tastes. Watch him drizzle Coração Do Vale over a Charred Sweet Potato Chaat or a Tomato & Raw Mango Carpaccio—it was pure magic. He showed everyone that a premium Portuguese oil doesn’t clash with Indian flavors; it makes them shine brighter.”

What emerging trends among Indian gourmet consumers excite you the most?

Richa Khandelwal – What excites me the most is that people are spending on products that are authentic, driven by wellness and have a story attached to them. There’s a huge wave of interest in wellness, but without wanting to sacrifice flavor. People are genuinely excited about high-quality, antioxidant-rich, cold-extracted vegan ingredients. People these days are willing to pay extra for brands that genuinely care for their health along with providing elevated taste. That shift—where cooking at home becomes an act of self-care and creativity rather than a chore—is exactly where we see our brand fitting in.

What does the next chapter look like for Coração Do Vale?

Richa Khandelwal – The Delhi launch at Le Méridien was just our opening statement. Now, we’re ready to take this flavor journey across the country. Through Leads Brand Connect, we are rolling out a very thoughtful, multi-city expansion. Over the next few months, you’ll start seeing Coração Do Vale in not just premium gourmet stores across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Lucknow but also in art exhibitions and culinary workshops in five star hotels. Brand Coração do vale stands for everything luxury in life from fine art to fine dining.

If you had to describe the Coração Do Vale experience in three words, what would they be?

Richa Khandelwal – Coração do vale means “Heart of the valley” in Portuguese and can be described as:

• Authentic: Because it is deeply rooted in genuine Portuguese origin, early harvesting, and absolute natural purity.
• Versatile: Because it dances beautifully between sophisticated European dishes and vibrant, bold Indian flavors.
• Elevated: Because it has the power to transform a simple, everyday meal into a conscious, beautiful sensory ritual.