Nana's Story

Mumbai felt like no other place.

The hustle and bustle of a million people, the motors of the cars, the steam rising from the street, the sizzle of the street food. It was a treat for the senses. 

At 9 years old, fresh from the quiet backwater of Jamnagar, I would venture out into the street. The delicacies of Vada Pav and Pav Bhaji ignited a passion in me. Hours upon hours, I would watch stallholders making delicious dishes, and I dared to dream that I would sell as those same stallholders one day.

The dream was delayed as I swiftly married my husband from East Africa and found myself in the suburbia that was West London. Mumbai dreams disappeared for 35 years as I was blessed with a career, and two kids.

Then the dream returned after being made redundant. After a few months of boring redundancy frustration at home, my son suggested I do something food-related.

Nana’s Chutneys was born. From local markets, we started selling weekly before supplying a few restaurants. Building up a loyal community and helping them with online cookery classes during lockdown. Post-lockdown, we expanded into a range of rotating London farmers' markets. 

I realised I was not too old, and indeed it was worth it! My dream followed me and was embellished by my life experience – bringing the Mumbai street scene, a treat for the senses, into my range of chutneys. You can do anything at any age.

I found that life truly begins at the end of your comfort zone. And since then, i've continuously been pushed out of my comfort zone more recently appearing with my son on Dragon's Den, on ITV news as part of the Virgin Empower 100 Startup Program, and on Radio BBC London. I'm looking forward to everything that comes next. 

Thank you for reading my story, and hope to meet you at one of our market stalls.