How to Choose a Food and Beverage Consultant in India

Key Takeaways

• Define the job first. Write a one-page brief with your product, stage, budget and what "done" looks like before you contact any consultant.
• Match the consultant to your stage. Feasibility, DPR, formulation, plant setup and quality work each need a different specialist, and few consultants do all of them well.
• Verify, don't trust. Ask for past projects in your product category, call at least two of those clients, and ask whether the consultant earns commission from suppliers.
• Get everything in writing. Deliverables, timelines, milestone payments and ownership of your recipe belong in the agreement, not just in call notes.
• Walk away from guarantees. No consultant can promise a bank loan or subsidy approval, and a vague scope or a demand for full payment upfront are warning signs too.