Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tushar Tondvalkar, founder of The Indian Pantry Catering Ltd., located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Indian Pantry is an ode to serving the most sophisticated and delectable regional foods from the Indian subcontinent. It is built as a brand that epitomizes the best of Indian cuisine, pairing it with the highest standards of service, quality, and attention to detail.
The Indian Pantry develops unique event experiences featuring customized Indian-inspired food and cocktail menus, all delivered with the kind of exceptional service and event detailing that you'd expect from one of Greater Vancouver's top catering firms. Whether it's a simple backyard soiree, a sit-down dinner, an official brunch, or a wedding dinner for five hundred people, our team of experienced chefs, bartenders, serving staff, and other personnel will bring it all to life. We assure you of superior taste and presentation, excellent hospitality and service, and the highest safety and hygiene standards.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve been working in hospitality for close to a decade now. For the majority of my career, I’ve been working with French, Italian, and West Coast cuisines. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to intern at Michelin Star restaurants, Gaggan and Gaa, that I began cooking Indian food. After I returned from Bangkok, I realized that’s what had been missing from my career. My personal connection and love for those flavours. That’s when I worked as executive chef, curating a menu based on Mumbai’s diverse cuisine - with dishes that are synonymous with a trip there as well as some personal family favorites. My company, The Indian Pantry, focuses on regional cuisines and works hard to highlight them in their element. I want guests to experience the variety of flavours & have some if not all of my food resonate with them emotionally.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Career-wise, I can’t say that I’ve reached a point where I feel like I’ve accomplished much! It’s just the beginning for me. My company is just about three years old now. We’ve got a long way to go still.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Working on work/life balance has been one of the most challenging things for me. I’m definitely no expert on that yet, but ensuring that I’m carving out time in a week where I can spend time with myself as well as with those close to me. It’s so easy to slip out of things like workouts and socializing with friends when you’ve got a full inbox and an endless to-do list.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Just do it. Take that leap and do it. You’re never going to do anything until you take action, and that’s honestly the hardest part.
- Stick to your business plan. And always have a plan B in place before even starting. Essentially, your business plan should have a ‘disaster management plan.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://theindianpantrycatering.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theindianpantryyvr/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theindianpantry_/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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