A group of remarkable women, who have transformed their passion for food into thriving businesses, gathered for an empowering conversation during a Women’s Day event at Ibis Kolkata Rajarhat in New Town. The occasion was a celebration of their achievements, and the women reflected on their journeys, sharing the ups and downs of their entrepreneurial paths.
Amita Mishra, the hotel’s general manager, welcomed the food entrepreneurs with words of encouragement: “Every dish you create and every innovation you bring is a step forward for women. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we can go.”
The event began by recognizing the hotel’s own female champions. Nabadisha Chowdhury, the house-keeping manager, humorously thanked those who doubted her, saying, “Their discouragement gave us the resolve to prove them wrong.” Swagata Biswas, the security head, shared her challenges of leading in a male-dominated environment. Arshiya Paul and Poonam Kumari, both from the Novotel Kolkata, were also celebrated for their contributions.
The conversation turned personal as several entrepreneurs shared their stories. Sonika Dey, who founded Krazzy for Waffle and later Bunaphile, spoke about overcoming doubts and balancing family life. Zara Chisty Abedin turned her Thai restaurant into a cloud kitchen during the pandemic and has since expanded into three branches of The Little Bistro. Apeksha Lahiri, who runs The Yellow Turtle, took pride in supporting her staff through difficult times, even opening a new outlet during the pandemic.
Mousumi Routh, an engineer turned restaurateur, spoke about the challenges of shifting from a corporate job to running a kitchen, while finance remained a challenge for many. Sonika recalled how banks insisted on male family members as guarantors, forcing her to sell her wedding jewelry to finance her venture. Priyanka Malik, a food consultant, also shared her experience of participating in MasterChef India and how it changed her career, leading her to open three cafes across the city.
Their stories underscore the resilience, determination, and ingenuity of women making their mark in the food industry.
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