Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Indore is witnessing a remarkable trend—more and more educated women are stepping away from conventional career paths and opting to ride the tide of the city’s vibrant food culture. These women, some of them engineering or management graduates, have found their calling in the kitchen.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate eight extraordinary women who, with gourmet bakeries or innovative street food ventures, are not just serving delicious food but also redefining the way Indore eats. They are capturing hearts and taste buds alike with their creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. These women are not only building their brands but also inspiring a new wave of female-led businesses in the city.
Preeti Kulkarni
Aai Ke Appe: Realizing MIL’s dream with (joint) family effort
Preeti Kulkarni |
I pursued my studies at the Satyasai University, Bhopal. My food stall, Aai Ke Appe, stems from my mother-in-law’s dream of owning a food truck—like the ones in the US. She always wanted to share her delicious flavors with the public, and we turned that dream into reality. We started with a small cart at Meghdoot Chaupati, where we served our signature dishes for three successful years. However, certain circumstances led us to LIG Square 3-4 months back, from where we continue to serve our customers. On weekends, my husband also helps us out, turning this into a true family effort. Every dish we serve carries the love and warmth of home-cooked meals. Seeing people enjoy our food and return for more makes this journey even more special. With dedication and hard work, we are growing each day, bringing our dream to life—one Appe at a time!
- Preeti Kulkarni, MBA (28)
Ruhi Sisodiya
Kunafas in Indore: First served from a small cart, now in store—all in 2 years
Ruhi Sisodiya |
I’m Ruhi Sisodiya, the co-founder of Rarish Kunafas. Two years ago, Kunafa, the Middle Eastern dessert, was a completely new concept for Indore. I practiced tirelessly, refining my skills and working hard to perfect the recipe. My journey began with a small cart at Meghdoot Chaupati. Slowly, Indoris started embracing the taste, and what began as a small experiment turned into a growing passion. With dedication and persistence, I expanded my business, and today, I proudly own a store at Chhappan, serving freshly made Kunafas to dessert lovers. Every late night spent perfecting the flavors has been worth the effort. Seeing people enjoy my Kunafas and return for more fills me with joy. This journey has been incredible, and I’m excited to bring even more delightful treats to Indore.
- Ruhi Sisodiya, BBA (23)
Uma Sonar
From corporate to teaching—she did it all before serving Nepali cuisine
Uma Sonar |
My name is Uma Sonar, and I am 23. Three years ago, I moved to Indore from Arunachal Pradesh, searching for a path that truly resonated with me. I started with defense coaching before moving to the corporate sector, but something always felt missing. The job gave me stability but not the respect, peace, or satisfaction I longed for. It felt like I was living someone else’s life. Later, I started teaching at a school, but deep down, I knew I wanted to create something of my own.
Originally from Nepal, I always missed the authentic flavors of home. I noticed that while Nepali dishes were available in Indore, they were often tweaked with extra spices. The true essence of Nepali food lies in its simplicity—fresh vegetables, rich flavors, and no unnecessary masalas. That’s when I decided to start Nepali Taste, a place where people could experience real Nepali food. My outlet is near the Marriott Hotel, and I started just a month ago. My Thukpa, a warm, comforting noodle soup, is made with 100% authentic recipes. I keep prices affordable, especially for students, and ensure everything is clean and welcoming. Seeing people enjoy my food fills me with joy. This isn’t just a business—it’s my heart, my passion, and my dream coming to life.
Uma Sonar, B.Sc (23)
Pinky Sisodiya
When a banker turns into a chocolate queen
Pinky Sisodiya |
I’m Pinky Sisodiya, and my journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. I began my career as a banker, working a stable 9-to-5 job, but deep down, I knew my true passion lay elsewhere. I have always loved desserts, so I took a leap of faith and opened my restaurant. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to shut it down, bringing my dreams to a standstill. But I refused to give up.
Determined to pursue my passion, I started with a small cart at Meghdoot Chaupati, introducing a chocolate fountain for chocolate-dipped strawberries—an iconic London favorite. People loved it, but due to unforeseen challenges, I had to shut it down. Starting from zero yet again, I founded Craving The Chocolate Queen, which I now run from Scheme 78, opposite The Hub. We are only 3-4 months old and serve delicious pancakes, waffles, brownies, and my signature chocolate fountain.
Despite the setbacks, I kept pushing forward, driven by my unwavering love for desserts. Today, my brand is known for its unique flavors and quality, and the support from my customers keeps me motivated. My journey has been filled with ups and downs, but I know this is just the beginning of something even bigger.
Pinky Sisodiya, B.COM (26)
Riya Vishvakarma
From corporate to cakes: A sweet journey
Riya Vishvakarma |
I’m Riya Vishvakarma, 25, an MBA graduate from Oriental College. Like many others, I stepped into the corporate world, but deep down, I always knew my true passion lay in baking. The joy of creating something delightful and seeing people relish my treats excited me more than any office job ever could.
I realized I could do much better following my heart, so I took a leap of faith and started making chocolates, cakes, cheesecakes, and brownies from home. This journey hasn’t been easy. No one initially supported me, and I had to build everything on my own. There were times when self-doubt crept in, but my love for baking kept me going. Slowly and steadily, I started gaining the love and trust of people.
For three months now, I have been selling my baked treats near LIG. The overwhelming support from my customers for my venture, Riya the Baker, keeps me motivated. Seeing people enjoy my creations fills me with immense joy, and every happy customer pushes me to improve. This is just the beginning, and I know there’s a long way to go. My dream is to grow my brand, introduce more unique desserts, and take my passion for baking to even greater heights.
- Riya Vishvakarma, MBA (25)
Arpita Jain
Chasing big dreams with a cart
Arpita Jain |
I’m Arpita Jain, and my journey in the food industry began in 2021, inspired by my husband’s dream of owning a small food cart. That dream took the shape of Jainum Delicious Food Point, a humble setup in Saket where we serve a variety of dishes, from Chinese snacks to the main course. However, what sets us apart is our authentic Jain food, which has earned us a loyal and growing customer base.
Starting with a small cart, we worked tirelessly to perfect our flavors and provide quality food to our customers. Our dedication and hard work have helped us grow steadily. Though we started small, our vision is big—we aim to make Jainum Delicious Food Point a well-known name in Indore. Seeing our customers enjoy their meals and return with smiles motivates us every day. This journey has been incredible, and we can’t wait to take our dream to the next level.
- Arpita Jain, B.COM (38)
Vinamrata Kachhava
She tasted success with ‘Chakh Le Vadapav’
Vinamrata Kachhava |
I am Vinamrata Kachhava, a 29-year-old entrepreneur with a background in Computer Science and an MBA in HR. My journey began with a passion for serving society, which initially led me to prepare for civil services. I cleared the preliminary exams twice, but something felt amiss. I realized that real impact comes not just from holding a position but by transforming lives at a deeper level.
With my family’s support and my self-belief, I took a leap of faith and started Chakh Le Vadapav—a place where people could experience an authentic taste with the highest standards of hygiene. I started in January 2024 at Narendra Tiwari Marg near the Annapurna Mandir Road. We use only Sunflower oil, never reusing it, and Amul butter to maintain purity and quality.
What started as a small venture soon became a sensation. Today, we sell over 700 vada pavs a day, and customers love the freshness, taste, and hygiene we maintain. Many have approached us for franchises, but our vision is to first establish our outlets and grow at our own pace. This journey has been a testament to the power of self-confidence, family support, and unwavering dedication. Dreams don’t just come true—they are realized with passion and perseverance.
- Vinamrata Kachhava (29), MBA
From baking to steaming, global flavors to homely traditions, these women are not just serving food but crafting experiences, winning hearts, and rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship in Indore. Their journeys were not without struggles. Some faced financial hurdles, others lacked support, and many had to start over multiple times. Yet, they persevered.
They are not just foodpreneurs—they are changemakers. Their stories stand as a testament to the limitless potential of women, reminding us that no dream is too big, no hurdle too high, and no ambition too bold.
