MUMBAI: Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has made a personal investment in Mumbai-based online marketplace for chefs, Holachef, as one of India's most famed industrialists continues to bulk up his portfolio of digital companies. Tata's investment is part of the series A round of financing which the food-tech startup raised from venture firm Kalaari Capital in June this year.Besides turning investor, Tata, 77, has also taken up the role of an adviser to Kalaari Capital along with putting capital in some of its portfolio companies like Snapdeal, Urban Ladder, and BlueStone earlier. He typically invests small amounts - less than $1 million - in early-to-late stage ventures with his maiden bet being on Delhi-based online marketplace Snapdeal last year.Based on the model of delivering home-cooked food to consumers, Holachef competes with a number of internet-first restaurants and other on-demand food delivery startups which have sprung up over the past year.Confirming Tata's investment without disclosing the amount, Holachef's co-founder & CEO Saurabh Saxena told TOI, "Ratan Tata's name and body of work is synonymous with trust and consumer focus. He has been an iconic figure in the Indian hospitality sector and has led the Taj Hotels to become an epitome of superior consumer experience. We are truly honoured to be associated with probably the most renowned symbol of Indian entrepreneurship globally. There's so much that we can learn from his experience and personality."Tata stepped down from the Tata group chairmanship in 2012.Holachef directly competes with the likes of Eatlo, Bite Club and food ordering app Tiny Owl's newly launched TinyOwl Homemade. It had raised Rs 20 crore in its first round of financing led by Kalaari Capital with India Quotient, its seed-stage investor, also participating. Founded by IIT-Bombay graduates Saxena, Anil Gelra and Ritu Rana last year, the Mumbai-based startup curates both professional and amateur chefs on its platform. It also manages the logistics of the food (packaging, storage and delivery). Currently, its services are available in Mumbai and Pune where it claims to be serving over 3,000 meals per day.