India’s modern food and beverage (F&B) industry has witnessed a surge of women entrepreneurs and leaders in recent years, who have disrupted the industry with their innovative ideas and bold initiatives. These women have not only created successful businesses but have also broken the traditional gender norms in the country’s male-dominated business landscape.
In this article, we will introduce you to Eight such women entrepreneurs and leaders who have left an indelible mark on India’s modern F&B industry with their passion, hard work, and determination. From healthy snacks to fusion cuisine, these women have carved a niche for themselves in the industry and continue to inspire many others to follow in their footsteps.
1. Kalpana Jha – Jhaji Store
Kalpana Jha is an entrepreneur and the founder of Jhaji Store, a company that produces authentic Indian pickles using natural ingredients and traditional techniques. She gained national recognition in India after appearing on the reality TV show Shark Tank India, where she impressed the judges with her product and business acumen. She with her sister Uma Jha build this company together.
Jhaji Achaar was founded in 2021 when Kalpana decided to turn her passion for cooking into a business. She noticed that there was a gap in the market for high-quality, all-natural Indian pickles, and decided to create her own using family recipes and traditional techniques. Jhaji Store’s pickles are made using locally sourced, organic ingredients and are free from preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors. Kalpana Jha appeared on Shark Tank India, a popular TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors. She impressed the judges with her passion, knowledge, and the quality of her product.
2. Rashmi Daga – Fresh Menu
Rashmi Daga is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of FreshMenu, a food delivery service that operates in multiple cities across India. She is known for her innovative approach to food delivery, with a focus on providing healthy and freshly prepared meals to customers. Daga was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She obtained a degree in engineering from the University of Mumbai and later went on to earn a master’s degree in management from the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad. After completing her education, Daga worked in various corporate roles before deciding to start her own business.
In 2014, Daga founded FreshMenu with the goal of providing healthy, nutritious meals to busy professionals who were looking for convenient meal options. FreshMenu’s menu features a variety of cuisines and dishes, all of which are prepared using high-quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order. Under Daga’s leadership, FreshMenu has grown rapidly, expanding its operations to multiple cities across India. The company has received numerous accolades for its innovative approach to food delivery, including being named one of the top 10 startups in India by Business Today in 2016.
3. Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat – Lijjat Papad
Lijjat Papad is a popular brand of papad (a crispy Indian flatbread) that has become a household name in India and beyond. The brand was founded in 1959 by a group of women in Mumbai, led by Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat. Jaswantiben Popat was a housewife who lived in a small apartment in Mumbai with her family. She was frustrated with her limited income and wanted to do something to help her family financially. One day, she had an idea to start making papad and selling it to her friends and neighbors.
She shared her idea with six other women in her neighborhood, and together they formed a cooperative called Lijjat Papad. The name “Lijjat” is a Gujarati word that means “tasty.” The cooperative started with an initial investment of just Rs. 80 (less than $2), and the women began making papad in their homes using traditional methods. They sold their papad under the Lijjat brand, which quickly gained a reputation for its high quality and taste.
4. Ahana Gautam – Open Secret
Ahana Gautam is an entrepreneur, social activist, and the founder of Open Secret, a wellness and self-care company based in Mumbai, India. Open Secret is dedicated to providing natural, organic, and sustainable self-care products that promote physical and mental well-being. Ahana Gautam’s journey towards entrepreneurship began after she completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai.
She was passionate about helping people overcome mental health issues, but she realized that the mainstream approach to therapy was not effective for everyone. Ahana saw that many people struggled to access mental health services due to social stigma, financial constraints, and a lack of awareness. In response to these challenges, Ahana founded Open Secret in 2017, with the mission to democratize wellness and promote self-care. She started by creating natural, handmade skincare products that were affordable and accessible to all. Open Secret’s products are free from harmful chemicals, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, and are made using natural ingredients like plant extracts, essential oils, and organic butter.
5. Urmila Jamnadas – Gujju Ben Na Nasta
Urmila Jamnadas, better known as Gujju Ben Na Nasta, is a popular food blogger and social media influencer from Gujarat, India. Her name, which translates to “Gujarati lady’s breakfast,” reflects her love for the traditional breakfast dishes of Gujarat, such as dhokla, khaman, fafda, and thepla.
Over the years, Urmila’s popularity has continued to grow, and she has become a household name among foodies in Gujarat and beyond. Her recipes have been featured in local newspapers and magazines, and she has even been invited to share her expertise on cooking shows and other media platforms.
6. Shashi Bahuguna – Namakwali
“Girl/women with salt” is what “Namakwali” signifies She made the decision to work with the Mahila Nav Jagran Samiti, an Organisation with roots in Dehradun, to create and distribute her salt in all of its flavours across the country.
Namakwali aims to provide access to the wholesome, organic flavours of Himalayan villages to people all around the world. The inventor of the distinctive brand, Shashi Bahuguna Raturi, did so out of worry for the disappearance of the hill state’s traditional eating practises. She started this endeavour by enlisting the help of ladies from different regions of Uttarakhand. They continue to use a traditional stone grinder to serve their customers (known as silbatta). The hills are where all of the herbs and spices are hand-picked from. The company uses conventional marketing methods to sell products made without chemicals.
7. Ritu Dalmia – Restauranteur
Ritu Dalmia is a well-known restauranteur, chef, and entrepreneur from India. Born in Kolkata, India in 1973, Ritu Dalmia grew up in Delhi and developed an early interest in cooking. She pursued her passion for cooking by enrolling in a culinary school in New York, where she trained under the guidance of some of the world’s most renowned chefs.
After completing her culinary education, Ritu Dalmia returned to India and opened her first restaurant in Delhi in 1993. She named it Mezzaluna, and it quickly became a popular destination for food lovers. Mezzaluna offered authentic Italian cuisine, and it was one of the few restaurants in India that used fresh, high-quality ingredients imported from Italy. Ritu Dalmia’s success with Mezzaluna led her to open several more restaurants, including Diva, which has become one of the most celebrated Italian restaurants in Delhi. Diva offers a wide range of traditional and contemporary Italian dishes, and it has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Best Italian Restaurant Award by Times Food Guide.
8. Karyna Bajaj – KA Hospitality
Karyna Bajaj is a young and successful entrepreneur from India, best known for her role as the CEO of KA Hospitality, a leading hospitality company that operates several popular restaurants and nightclubs across India. Born and raised in Mumbai, Karyna Bajaj developed a passion for hospitality from a young age, thanks to her family’s involvement in the industry.
After completing her education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Karyna returned to India to join her family’s business, which included operating several restaurants and bars. She quickly realized the potential for growth in the hospitality industry and set her sights on expanding the family business. Under Karyna’s leadership, KA Hospitality has become one of India’s most successful hospitality companies, with a portfolio of more than 20 restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels. Some of their most popular brands include Hakkasan, Yauatcha, and Nara Thai, which have won numerous awards and accolades for their innovative cuisine and stylish ambiance.
The seven women entrepreneurs and leaders featured in this listicle are inspiring examples of the many women leading the way in India’s modern F&B industry.