Founder of multiple St. Catharines, Niagara-area restaurants dies at 64

The man behind several popular Indian restaurants and food trucks in the Niagara region passed away last month, his family shared in a post on social media.

Recently, family members announced that Ravi Srivastava, the restauranteur behind The Indian Aroma Kitchen, Taash, The Ice Cream Shop and Hummus and Tartar–all located in St. Catharines–died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 64. 

In the post, Pallav Srivastava, who is a chef, said his father passed away in late August after being diagnosed with cancer a few months prior. 

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Mr. Ravi Srivastava, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer one month ago today, following a brave four-month battle,” he wrote on social media. 

“He was the heart and soul behind the Indian Aroma Kitchen, a dream he brought to life for our family. From a humble takeout to two food trucks, and most recently, Taash – Indian Restaurant and Bar, he poured his heart into building a legacy for us.” 

Srivastava’s obituary says the restaurateur, who came to Canada in 2018 and began opening eateries in 2019, was “known for his boundless energy, positive spirit and unwavering dedication to both his family and his work.” 

In a short time–and during COVID, no less–Srivastava opened five restaurants, including two Indian Aroma locations, two food trucks and Taash, his first dine-in restaurant in the region. 

According to the restaurant’s website, The Indian Aroma Kitchen was created to bring authentic north Indian food to local diners who wanted to experience New Delhi flavours. 

Taash, which opened earlier this year, boasts staples such as butter chicken, biryani, aloo gobhi, chicken korma, a specialty paneer and more. 

In his obituary, Srivastava’s family calls him a man of passion and warmth and says he loved learning new things, spending time with family and indulging his passion for carpentry.

“Ravi’s infectious humour and sociable nature made him a cherished friend and a beloved member of the community,” his family wrote. 

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kamini, and his two children and two grandchildren.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for the unwavering love and support you’ve shown always and also in these four months of tough times for us. It meant the world to him, especially as an immigrant in 2019, to receive such kindness and encouragement,” his family wrote in his obituary. 

“What began as a dream for his wife and son became his passion, fueled by the appreciation of this incredible community. As we keep him alive in our hearts, we hope to keep his legacy forward and keep serving the community.”