Name:Shivika Kothari
Age: 24
City: Jaipur/ Hong Kong
Occupation: Restaurateur- Meraaki Kitchen
Meraaki Kitchen is Shivika’s first business venture post her
graduation. She personally feels that the Indian F&B market is going to go
through a huge transformation over the coming years with a transition towards
finer imported ingredients and gourmet food. Shivika studied Hospitality
Administration at Boston University in Massachusetts, USA during which she
completed two levels of internships with renowned chains like Marriott
International and Taj Hotels. It is while working with international chains
that she accumulated acumen to anticipate guest needs as she realised that
customization and a personal touch are the keys to success in this industry.
graduation. She personally feels that the Indian F&B market is going to go
through a huge transformation over the coming years with a transition towards
finer imported ingredients and gourmet food. Shivika studied Hospitality
Administration at Boston University in Massachusetts, USA during which she
completed two levels of internships with renowned chains like Marriott
International and Taj Hotels. It is while working with international chains
that she accumulated acumen to anticipate guest needs as she realised that
customization and a personal touch are the keys to success in this industry.
ST: Who is a woman that inspires you the most and why?
Shivika: As cliché as this may sound, it most definitely has to be my
mom. I think seeing her zest and excitement to always grow and learn and to see
her always excel in whatever she does is very inspiring. She knows exactly how
to keep the charm alive! Other than that, Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey and
Michelle Obama inspire me too!
mom. I think seeing her zest and excitement to always grow and learn and to see
her always excel in whatever she does is very inspiring. She knows exactly how
to keep the charm alive! Other than that, Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey and
Michelle Obama inspire me too!
ST: How are you celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day?
Shivika: It’s not always necessary to actively
celebrate such an occasion, I think even taking out a few minutes in the day
and being grateful for all those women who have inspired and helped you along
the path is important. However, I do want to also support one young females’
education whomaybe intrigued or inspired by the hospitality industry and
further work towards mentoring her.
celebrate such an occasion, I think even taking out a few minutes in the day
and being grateful for all those women who have inspired and helped you along
the path is important. However, I do want to also support one young females’
education whomaybe intrigued or inspired by the hospitality industry and
further work towards mentoring her.
ST: What is the most important message you want to send out to all the
women around the world on this occasion?
women around the world on this occasion?
Shivika: My message cannot be summed up in any
better way than through Oprah Winfrey quote “The more thankful I became, the
more my bounty increased. That’s because-for sure- what you focus on expands.
When you focus on the goodness in life, you create more of it”.
better way than through Oprah Winfrey quote “The more thankful I became, the
more my bounty increased. That’s because-for sure- what you focus on expands.
When you focus on the goodness in life, you create more of it”.
ST: What according to you is ‘women empowerment’?
Shivika: Women Empowerment to me is about being
able to freely live your life with a sense of self-worth, respect and dignity,
its about being evolved and progressive in the way you think and choose to live
your life.
able to freely live your life with a sense of self-worth, respect and dignity,
its about being evolved and progressive in the way you think and choose to live
your life.
ST: What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present
in India?
in India?
Shivika: Although India is a patriarchal society,
I’ve noticed everyone around is very encouraging. As a young woman who had
never lived in India, I found it tough to be aggressive and dominating. I felt
it was against my inner nature. However, I have come to realize that once in a
while, that inner fire in you must ignite in order to attain your objective.
I’ve noticed everyone around is very encouraging. As a young woman who had
never lived in India, I found it tough to be aggressive and dominating. I felt
it was against my inner nature. However, I have come to realize that once in a
while, that inner fire in you must ignite in order to attain your objective.
ST: Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years?
Shivika: Creating waves and changes in our society for other women and
creating opportunities for them-that’s my dream!
creating opportunities for them-that’s my dream!
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| Shivika Kothari, Founder- Meraaki Kitchen |
