There is something about pop-ups and street food events that is just trendy. Why do think people enjoy these events so much? We think with street food you can walk into a market and try different things in a very cost effective way – a bit of this and a bit of that! You also see new flavours and trends first on street markets.
Pop-up events are personalised and provide a different quirky experience which is a key ingredient people look for when going out. We did a dinner pop-up in December; we got people to sit cross-legged and eat from banana leaves. We pelted random songs from our iPods and delicious food from the kitchen. The result was fabulous, our guests have returned again to our various stalls and set-ups.
What two foods types or cultures would you most like to mix together? Arti: Indian and Italian. I do make Indian flavoured pasta! Upma: Indian and Spanish. Indian Tapas would be great to try, or Indian Naan Pizzas!
compact, easy to eat out of boxes. The response to our light curries, salads and soups has been amazing! It proved to us there was a demand and a gap in the market waiting to be filled up.
How fresh is all the food that you make? We make the food fresh and from scratch in our kitchen and make every effort to locally source our ingredients. We do have to cool the food for delivery for health & safety purposes, so in the case of deliveries the food has to be reheated by the clients.
What is your best ingredient to work with? Arti: For me it’s lemon; the tanginess it adds to every dish is awesome! Upma: Ginger does the trick for me, however, currently I am experimenting with lotus root. I find its texture very versatile depending on the cooking style and it’s fantastic at soaking up flavours.
What ingredients do you always have in your cupboards at home then? Arti: For my personal cooking I need to have paneer, an Indian cottage cheese (I love it in every form) and sambhar powder (I add this to a lot of dishes). Upma: Cardamom and cumin. They bring out beautiful flavours and make a simple dish an exotic experience!
So what do you miss the most when you’re not working (if that ever happens)? Do you mean what we love about our work?! Arti: I enjoy the strategic and financial parts of running a business. I plan a lot and am great at being prepared and analytical, but the fact is that no matter how much you do, you are treading the unknown very often and that adds to the excitement and fun.
Upma: I'm a creative person and enjoy mixing and matching flavours & ingredients, thinking about new product development. I'm also responsible for all our marketing material and thoroughly enjoy playing with colours, patterns and food photography!
12 | SYB | JULY 2014
If you could host a dinner party, what would you serve? Arti: Indian soups and salads – so tasty and so healthy! Paneer would also have to be a must. Upma: Vegetarian food in a quirky exciting way with vegetables like eggplant, jackfruit along with different type of breads from all over India. Vegetarian food isn’t dull!
Which celebrity guests would you choose to have dinner with? Arti: Indra Nooyi and Richard Branson. Upma: Boris Johnson and Lord Alan Sugar.
The business is based in England’s capital city. Where are your favourite London hotspots? Arti: Hyde Park and Embankment; I run in and near these areas and they give me a lot of peace and comfort. Upma: Chiswick for it’s independent café, food and furniture scene. Trent Park for it’s tranquility and daffodil fields
So from where did your healthy appetite for business originate? Arti: My parents and brother are all entrepreneurs and a great inspiration for me. I have seen that running your business comes with a lot of ups and downs, it’s never a straightforward route and you need a lot of perseverance and self-belief. I had been the only one in a typical corporate job the last few years so I guess it must be in the family!
Upma: My dad I guess... he built everything on his own and has always encouraged me to define my own destiny. Also for me, it was a sheer passion to be in control so that I can make my small contribution to giving back to the community and hopefully make a difference.
You both left stable corporate careers to follow your dreams; what made you take the leap? Arti: I’d been in my job for eight years. I’d learnt a lot and the time felt right. You hear a lot of people say they want to do something of their own but life is over before you realise it! So I decided to take the plunge into the uncertain but incredibly exciting life of an entrepreneur. My husband was very supportive and I think that was a massive push for me to take the leap.
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