My love affair with cooking began at the age of 9. Winning Masterchef India season 2 gave me the platform I needed and being in Mumbai I was inspired and motivated meeting so many young people who had worked and made a mark for themselves. I saw opportunity and I decided to pursue it. Fortunately, I had age on my side and realised I could risk venturing forth. Things worked well and I realized it was worth it. Humbly, and momentarily I am considered one of the top India celebrity chef as well as globally.
What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?
The initial hurdles were the fact that I was in a relatively unknown city and didn’t know many people. Neither did I have a direction. However I knew I had to keep going; help advice and direction came about. We all fear uncertainty, however sometimes it’s best to take the plunge.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits? How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
Yes there were reservations from friends and family who would have liked me to take the easier course of action. To settle down and have stability in life and work. I just had to listen as I knew they wished well! In hindsight I would do the same.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
The single most influential factor has been travel ! Travel opens up your mind set which is limited if you stay in one particular place. Searching online and learning online is one thing and travel is completely another. Travel gives one real experiences not purely imaginary. Travel gives reality not fantasy making everything real and tangible.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?
I wish I had known lots of thing. Wouldn’t have wasted a single minute. Would have had initial hesitations and fears.
What advice would you give to an upcoming entrepreneur locally and internationally?
I would wish to tell every enterprising person that fortune follows the brave. So just take the plunge. Planning is a non stop process. Go out there and see for yourself. Experience success. Failures the two importers just the same.
