Mowgli Street Food founder Nisha Katona has dismissed fears that weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic will reshape the dining scene, calling the push for smaller portions “a bit of a gimmick.”

Speaking to the PA news agency, the TV chef and barrister-turned-restaurateur said eating out remained “about sitting across the table with friends and family” rather than a reflection of diet trends. “People will still have an appetite for food. This thing will pass,” she said.

Her comments come after celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, who takes Mounjaro, unveiled a new tasting menu at his Fat Duck restaurant with portions up to two-thirds smaller, warning weight-loss jabs could prove damaging for supermarkets and restaurants. Katona argued the hospitality sector should not overreact. “I’m not sure it will have a lasting impact,” she added.

Mowgli, which specialises in Indian home cooking, already offers variable portion sizes through its small plates and sharing menus. The 27-strong chain is now launching a nationwide delivery service with Uber Eats, a move Katona said was delayed until the right partner was found. The rollout is expected to boost annual sales – currently above £50m – to more than £70m by the end of next year, with CEO Lucy Worth forecasting delivery could add around 10% to revenues.

The group also plans international expansion, with sites in Belfast and Dublin due to open in 2026 and new London locations under review. Mowgli employs about 1,000 staff and continues to grow despite mounting cost pressures.

Katona warned that the sector remains under strain from rising labour costs, particularly since the government’s hike in National Insurance Contributions. She described last year’s budget as “one of the most anti-business” in recent memory, urging ministers to rebuild consumer confidence.

“If you look at the high street, it has all these gaps and it’s not OK. We need consumer confidence to come back,” she said.