From revolutionizing traditional flavors to building multi-crore food brands, India’s female entrepreneurs are making an indelible mark on the culinary world. Armed with creativity, resilience, and a deep understanding of flavors, these women are leading the way in everything from artisanal food startups to large-scale restaurant chains. As we celebrate Women’s Day, we spotlight some of the most inspiring women who have turned their passion for food into thriving businesses.
Aastha Almast – Co-Founder, New Shop
Born in a family of industrialists, Aastha is a true-born entrepreneur. She was a student of Economics from the prestigious Hindu College of Delhi University after which she studied PGDM in Fashion Marketing from Pearl Academy of Fashion to pursue her passion in retail and branding. She is also an alumni of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. She is a serial entrepreneur, who is always looking for solutions to simplify businesses – making them more productive and efficient. Prior to launching The New Shop, Aastha spearheaded a series of startups across diverse industries such as mobile gaming, online reputation management and consumer retail. While studying for a Bachelor’s, she joined her father’s stock broking firm making her one of the youngest certified stock-brokers from National Stock Exchange. She has lived an adventurous life and has amassed 12 years of diversified experience in entertainment, finance, branding, and retail. Her interests and pursuits are also reflected in her well-rounded personality. Aastha has the capability of turning everything she touches into a profitable venture. Much like the Virgin Group of UK, Aastha enters every domain afresh but quickly disrupts & evolves the landscape of the chosen industry.
Uzma Irfan – Director Corporate Communications, Prestige Group
Uzma Irfan joined the Prestige Group in 2006, and over the following years, she has single-handedly strengthened the company’s public image. She is currently responsible for marketing communication, corporate communication, branding, and all other image-related initiatives for the Prestige Group. In addition, she also manages the digital and advertising needs of Morph, and Prestige The Man Store. She began her new venture under the Prestige Group – Sublime Art Galleria, at The Collection, UB City, in 2009, with the vision of promoting art and artists. Under her leadership, Sublime has witnessed exponential growth and has introduced multiple verticals like – Sublime Media House, Sublime House of Tea, Sublime Event Management, and Sublime Art Commissioning. The Sublime House of Tea is an exclusive tea house that offers some of the finest and healthiest unique blends of teas, authentic honey, and indigenous spices and dry fruits.
Shailee Chatrath Tyagi – Director, Organised Trade Channels, Pepsico India Beverages
Shailee is a Pepsico veteran with 16 years overall experience in Sales & Marketing functions, managing Channel strategy, Customer management, Customer marketing, Brand building in both beverages and foods sides. She currently leads the fastest growing sales channels for Pepsico beverages – Ecommerce, MT, Away from home & Bulk Water. An inspirational leader who believes in the power of long term partnerships, delivering impactful results and creative solutioning, she led the team behind cause-driven campaign #PepsiSaveOurRestaurants in partnership with NRAI and Swiggy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, Pepsico has grown its stature in the Foodservice industry, won many long term deals that have led to India being recognized as a global best practice market.
Swati Dalal – MD & General Manager, Abbott Nutrition International – India
Swati is the MD & General Manager at Abbott Nutrition International – India. She was Commercial Director with Abbott Primary Care leading General Medicine, Osvita and Allevia leading the marketing and sales of the Business Unit. She also led the Commercial Operations function at Abbott Healthcare Solutions, encompassing Marketing Excellence, Digital Initiatives, Business Development and Internal Communications. Swati has been with Abbott for over 20 years in various capacities. She established New Product Introduction (NPI) and Life Cycle Management (LCM) at Abbott India Ltd, led the Specialty Care business at Abbott India Ltd. Swati is an active contributor at industry fora in areas related to marketing communications and healthcare. She is also a recipient of the CMO Asia award for Pharmaceutical Brand building in 2010.
Dr Rupali Ambegaonkar – Founder & CEO, Tea Culture of the World
Dr. Rupali Ambegaonkar founded Tea Culture of the World in the year 2010 with an aim to spread the love of tea that she gained over the years. She is one of the very few who gave in to the alluring art and science of tea culture and went on to become one of the very few tea connoisseurs in India. Her indulgence in the world of tea led her to establish one of the finest brands that bring to the people of India and abroad an exquisite range of herbal and flavored teas from around the world.
Dr. Ambegaonkar has made a name for herself, not just for her passion that translates into TCWs heartening success, but also as a talented entrepreneur. Some of the awards and recognitions bestowed upon her entrepreneurship include:
· Certified Tea Sommelier by Tea Association of Canada.
· Recognized as a Womennovator by ‘100 Women Faces 2018’
· Awarded Best Women Entrepreneur by ‘Inspire 2018, Nature’s Basket’
· Merit award for achieving targeted sales growth by ‘HYPERcity’
Recognized by Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bangalore (part of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore), where she’s a visiting faculty.
Anshu Goel – Director, Devdutt Exports Bharat
Anshu Goel stands at the helm of a legacy-driven enterprise, seamlessly blending heritage with innovation to redefine the landscape of the spice and dry fruits industry. As a visionary entrepreneur, she has not only navigated the complexities of this traditionally male-dominated sector but has also emerged as a symbol of women’s empowerment and leadership.
Rooted in a rich family legacy, Anshu Goel carries forward the values of quality, authenticity, and excellence established by her ancestors. Under her leadership, the company has strengthened its direct sourcing model, ensuring the procurement of the finest whole spices and hand-picked dry fruits from their places of origin. With well-established warehouses in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Middle East, she has streamlined operations to maintain unparalleled product quality and supply chain efficiency.
Beyond business, Anshu Goel’s journey is a testament to resilience and progress. She has broken barriers, challenged societal norms, and inspired a new generation of women to step into entrepreneurship and leadership roles. Her unwavering commitment to empowering women extends beyond her organization, fostering a culture of inclusivity and ambition.
Nidhi Singh – Co-Founder, Samosa Singh
“Think Big!
Trust Yourself and Make it Happen”
This is the mantra that Nidhi Singh, Co-Founder of Samosa Singh lives by. Samosa Singh company is India’s leading provider of food and beverage services. The idea for the brand came from a simple realization that leisure time and snack foods are intrinsically linked to India’s cultural fabric.
Nidhi was heading the Business development vertical for a US based healthcare company, BioXcel Corporation. She worked a decade before quitting her satisfying job to start Samosa Singh.
She decided to invest in a hygienic startup after garnering over 10 years of experience in marketing. She aspires to offer nostalgic and Indian delicacies both online and offline. She believes that the goal is to recreate and dominate the Indian snack category. Furthermore, her extensive experience in the following domains:
- Sales and business development
- Corporate strategy,
- Planning and development
- Establishing global commercial operations developing new markets, leading cross-functional teams and building strong intercontinental client bases.
Her experience has enabled her to establish strong client bases that have assisted in reaching out at the corporate level for the business’s growth potential. Her management and sales experience aided exponential growth and was critical in steering the startup by establishing a strong and healthy brand image.
Having a vision for developing healthy and hygienic food in India. Nidhi recognized a huge market opportunity and reached out to 10,000 customers in one day, delivering the samosas.
Eesha Sukhi – Director & CEO, The BlueBop Cafe , Mumbai
Eesha Sukhi comes with over 15 years of marketing and sales experience and has tremendous knowledge having worked at senior positions with international brands in India in the technology, F&B , fashion retail and media space.
Her quest to jump out of her comfort zone combined with her passion for the food space made her launch her own restaurant along with her brother. Her brother Amar who is a musician and has played the saxophone and clarinet for years, curates the Friday jazz nights reaffirming a sense of community coming together.
The pillars of the restaurant are Top quality food, a great ambience for all age groups, live jazz, classic rock & blues music bands on Fridays & skillfully crafted cocktails.
Her resume sees renowned brands and senior titles with various awards and accolades from her stints at Vogue, Vero Moda, Starbucks, Yahoo!
Having accomplished many milestones only pushed her towards her dream to enter the F&B sector to open her own distinctive restaurant.
Her years of experience and passion for food and creating a great customer experience are brought to life at The Bluebop Cafe.
Following are the awards won by her:
1. Times Food & Nightlife Award – 2021, 2022 & 2023
2. Emerging woman entrepreneur award- Times hospitality icons- 2020
3. Featured under the most influential global marketing leaders listing -2019 by world marketing congress and CMO Asia
4. Women super achievers award from world hrd congress with ET now- 2019
5. Young marketer’s achievers award- world brand congress -2016
Guntas Sethi Bhasin – Brand Ambassador, EU Foods
Chef Guntas, an alumna of Le Cordon Bleu in London, is the creative force behind ‘Chef Guntas’ in Khar, Mumbai. Specializing in personalized cakes and desserts, she has become a culinary icon through her Instagram documentation of cooking adventures. Beyond her expertise in patisserie, Chef Guntas is a versatile culinary artist known for her diverse cooking styles and acclaimed cheese platters. Adding to her accolades, Chef Guntas has been the face of the EU’s More Than Food Campaign in India for over a year, serving as a brand ambassador. This role reflects not only her culinary prowess but also her commitment to promoting quality food experiences. A significant milestone in her career was her appearance as a guest EU F&B expert in Season 7 of MasterChef India in 2023, where her insights into authentic European ingredients allowed the participants and the audience to learn more about these high quality, safe, and sustainable products. Chef Guntas continues to captivate the culinary scene with her creativity, skill, and passion, making her a prominent figure in the world of gastronomy.
Priyanka Jain – Co-founder and Director Marketing, Snow World Entertainment – Formula Karting & The Game Palacio Noida
Priyanka Jain stands as the dynamic Co-Founder & Director of Marketing at Snow World Entertainment, a game-changer that has redefined India’s hospitality and entertainment landscape. Under her visionary leadership, the company has established a strong foothold in the industry, driven by her expertise in integrated marketing strategies, brand development, public relations, innovative event planning, creative storytelling, and social media management. A driven entrepreneur with an unwavering passion for entertainment and hospitality, Priyanka has built a remarkable portfolio of enduring brands, including Snow World, Formula Karting, The Game Palacio, and Amazonia. Each of these ventures offers an immersive experience, reflecting her commitment to creating exceptional customer journeys. Guided by her philosophy of human-cantered leadership, Priyanka fosters an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative work environment that champions personal autonomy and psychological safety. Her leadership, defined by assertive compassion and emotional resilience, continues to inspire her team while driving the company’s growth. As a pioneering woman in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry, Priyanka’s influence extends beyond restaurant concept creation. She plays a holistic role in event planning, creative strategy, and workforce management, demonstrating an equal blend of passion and expertise, reinforcing her dedication to professional excellence.
Nidha Patel – Lawyer-Turned-Entrepreneur Championing Pure Nutrition
Nidha Patel, a lawyer and entrepreneur, turned her passion for health and wellness into a business venture with Morning Wale in 2023. As a dedicated mother, she sought pure, unprocessed nutrition for her family, leading her to create a brand focused on Gir cow milk and organic, sustainable products. Her mission is to reconnect families with traditional, nourishing food while promoting mindful living.
Chef Nooresha – Founder of Izumi, Mumbai & Goa
Chef Nooresha Kably reinvented herself at 45, turning her passion for Japanese cuisine into a remarkable culinary journey. From catering small Japanese meals to launching Sushi Koi, she pursued authenticity by training in Japan, mastering Sushi, Washoku, and Ramen. In 2018, she opened Izumi, which has since expanded to Mumbai and Goa. With no formal training but an unrelenting drive, she built a team of over 100, personally teaching them the nuances of Japanese cuisine. Her deep connection to Japan’s culture, ingredients, and philosophy shapes every dish, making her a pioneer in bringing true Japanese flavors to India.
Aaliya Ahuja – Founder of Oleander Farms, Karjat
Aaliya Ahuja is the driving force behind Oleander Farms, a luxury destination she transformed into a thriving resort since its launch in 2021. With the successful establishment of Saltt, a brewery, coffee house, vintage car showcase and more, Ahuja’s vision has come to life. The property now boasts over 110 rooms, a spa, event spaces, and an array of amenities, cementing Oleander Farms as a sought-after getaway. Ahuja’s journey began with an internship in F&B, which laid the foundation for her deep understanding of hospitality and her impressive entrepreneurial success.
Chef Rachi – Founder of The Bread Bar & The Gelato Bar
Chef Rachi Gupta is the founder of The Bread Bar and The Gelato Bar, where she brings her passion for high-quality, artisanal food to life. With a focus on using fresh, natural ingredients, Rachi has created a unique space for authentic, handmade bread and traditional Italian gelato. Her dedication to quality over quantity and her love for culinary exploration continue to shape her offerings. Rachi is also an educator at heart, sharing her expertise in baking and gelato-making with both children and adults, while constantly drawing inspiration from her travels and the cultures she experiences.
