International Women’s
Day 2018 Special Interview Series
Day 2018 Special Interview Series
Name:
Anjali Pathak
Anjali Pathak
Age: 36
City:
Mumbai
Mumbai
Occupation:
Chef, Food Writer and Founder of Flavour Diaries
Chef, Food Writer and Founder of Flavour Diaries
ST: Please tell us briefly about
you.
you.
Anjali: I’m a chef and food writer and have been part of the food industry
since I can remember. My parents spent their lives building our family food
business – Patak’s – that has grown to be one of the largest food manufacturers
with our products being found in over 50 countries across the world. I joined
the business in my early 20’s, earned my spurs and became the brand ambassador
after working my way through New Product Development. I used this as a stepping
stone to build my food consultancy in London that lead me to write a cookbook
and I regularly contribute to global food magazines and newspapers, as well
appear on television around the world. I moved to Mumbai 3 years ago to build
my food start up ‘Flavour Diaries’ Mumbai.
since I can remember. My parents spent their lives building our family food
business – Patak’s – that has grown to be one of the largest food manufacturers
with our products being found in over 50 countries across the world. I joined
the business in my early 20’s, earned my spurs and became the brand ambassador
after working my way through New Product Development. I used this as a stepping
stone to build my food consultancy in London that lead me to write a cookbook
and I regularly contribute to global food magazines and newspapers, as well
appear on television around the world. I moved to Mumbai 3 years ago to build
my food start up ‘Flavour Diaries’ Mumbai.
ST: Who is a woman that inspires
you the most and why?
you the most and why?
Anjali: It sounds cliché but my mother is the most inspirational woman I have
had the fortune of spending time with. She worked tirelessly to build a
business with my father, brought up 3 children and managed to manage a
household with extended family for 20 years. She taught me to reach for the
stars and that women have a firm place in our industry. She is strong,
confident and charming and will always being my biggest inspiration.
had the fortune of spending time with. She worked tirelessly to build a
business with my father, brought up 3 children and managed to manage a
household with extended family for 20 years. She taught me to reach for the
stars and that women have a firm place in our industry. She is strong,
confident and charming and will always being my biggest inspiration.
ST: How are you celebrating this
year’s International Women’s Day?
year’s International Women’s Day?
Anjali: This year I am doing what I love, teaching cookery classes. Sharing
knowledge is the best gift to give and I hope to inspire more women to get back
in the kitchen for foodie fun.
knowledge is the best gift to give and I hope to inspire more women to get back
in the kitchen for foodie fun.
ST: What is the most important
message you want to send out to all the women around the world on this
occasion?
message you want to send out to all the women around the world on this
occasion?
Anjali: International Women’s Day is about celebrating our strength and
calling to action the gender parity. There is an exciting future for women and
although we have come so far, we have a long way to go. We need to work
together, not against each other, to build a solid foundation not only for us,
but for those after us, in the hope we can empower more women and celebrate
even more victories.
calling to action the gender parity. There is an exciting future for women and
although we have come so far, we have a long way to go. We need to work
together, not against each other, to build a solid foundation not only for us,
but for those after us, in the hope we can empower more women and celebrate
even more victories.
ST: What according to you is
‘women empowerment’?
‘women empowerment’?
Anjali: Women Empowerment is sharing a common voice and working towards a goal
where we are recognised for our efforts and contributions.
where we are recognised for our efforts and contributions.
ST: What would you say are the
main challenges facing women at present in India?
main challenges facing women at present in India?
Anjali: In India women are still not offered the same opportunities as men.
This means we have to work harder to stand out and this causes ugly competition
between ourselves. We need to work together to bring about positive change and
narrow the gender gap.
This means we have to work harder to stand out and this causes ugly competition
between ourselves. We need to work together to bring about positive change and
narrow the gender gap.
ST: Where do you want to see
yourself in next 5 years?
yourself in next 5 years?
Anjali: I’d like to open Flavour Diaries in more cities across the world. I’m
also looking at writing another cookbook in the foreseeable future. I see a
future filled with more travel and even more adventures with plenty of foodie
fun along the way.
also looking at writing another cookbook in the foreseeable future. I see a
future filled with more travel and even more adventures with plenty of foodie
fun along the way.
 |
| Anjali Pathak, Chef, Food Writer and Founder of Flavour Diaries |
(This interview is a part of ‘International
Women’s Day interview series’. Share your feedback at startupterminal@gmail.com)
Women’s Day interview series’. Share your feedback at startupterminal@gmail.com)
