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FOOD IS MEMORY. Food is culture. Food is power. And in kitchens, fields, and boardrooms across the country, women are redefining the industry. They’re reshaping traditions, championing sustainability, and building legacies that will outlast trends.
This Women’s Day, we celebrate these pioneers who have transformed the culinary landscape, from reviving ancient grains to crafting Michelin-starred experiences, from founding food empires to creating communities that nourish beyond the plate. Their impact is bold, their stories are inspiring, and their work is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of good food.
Here’s a look at some of these stirring women.
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Aditi Dugar: As CEO and co-founder of Masque, she revolutionised fine dining in India with an ingredient-forward, tasting-only model, earning Masque a spot among the world's top 50 restaurants.
Aditi Gupta: A chef and entrepreneur, she serves as a role model for women in small towns, demonstrating that women are actively building careers and pursuing financial independence in the culinary arts.
Amrita Raichand: A model, actress, and chef, she is known for her TV programme “Mummy Ka Magic” and holds a professional culinary degree.
Anamika Singh: A tea sommelier who started Anandini Himalaya Tea in 1990, she owns Manjhee Valley Tea Estate and launched Anandini - The Tea Room in Delhi.
Ankita Sharma: Co-founder of Kairos Cookhouse & Grill, she created a unique European-ambiance restaurant in Gurgaon, demonstrating the importance of education and hard work in achieving entrepreneurial goals.
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Bhagyalakshmi Gohokar: As co-founder and head chef, Santosham, she specialises in authentic Palakkad-style South Indian cuisine, promoting regional cuisines and sharing the stories behind the dishes.
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Deepa Anand: Chef, restaurant owner, author and educator, she has demonstrated diverse opportunities in the culinary industry and serves as a role model for Indian women.
Deepa Muthukumarasamy: Founder of Some More Foods, she offers millet-based products across India and is setting up a manufacturing plant.
Dipti Motiani: Founder of Second Nature, she is also VP of Processed Fruits at Freshtrop Fruits Ltd., creating cold-extracted fruit and vegetable juice blends.
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Garima Arora: A Michelin-starred chef with a Bangkok-based restaurant, she is globally recognised for her innovative approach to Indian cuisine.
Gauri Devidayal: Former tax consultant turned hospitality maven, she co-founded The Table and Magazine Street Kitchen, shaping Mumbai’s fine-dining landscape while pursuing wine and spirits qualifications.
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Indira Chowfin: Co-founder of Himalayan Haat, she crafts artisanal preserves and sauces alongside her daughter while providing employment for local women.
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Jayashree Krishnamurthy: A chartered accountant turned entrepreneur, she founded Rasa Wellness, offering millet-based, gluten-free products.
Jyoti Ganapathi: Founder & CEO of Dosa Inc, she transformed a humble South Indian staple into a thriving food truck business.
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Kamala Pujari: Awarded the Padma Shri for her tireless efforts in conserving hundreds of indigenous paddy seed varieties.
Karyna Bajaj: A leading force in hospitality, she steers KA Hospitality Group towards homegrown brands like CinCin.
Kasturi Banerjee: A former banker turned distiller, she founded Stilldistilling Spirits and created Maka Zai, India’s first homegrown rum brand.
Krishnaa Kantthawala: Founder of Smart Eleven, she exports millet noodles and pasta to five countries, with a monthly revenue of over ₹12 lakh.
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Lahari Bai: Known as the ‘Millet Queen,’ she has safeguarded over 150 millet varieties and serves as an ambassador for their revival.
Lisa Suwal: VP of Marketing & Sales at Prasuma Meats & Delicatessen, she led the launch of the Prasuma brand in the Indian food market.
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Madhulika Singh: Her ‘House of Singh Sauces’ has carved a niche in the speciality food space, blending Indian spices into globally inspired condiments.
Manzilat Fatima: A descendant of Awadh’s last Nawab, she carries forward the royal culinary legacy through her restaurant Manzilat in Kolkata.
Megha Asher: Co-founder of Juicy Chemistry, she turned her kitchen experiments into an internationally recognised organic skincare brand, hitting ₹25 crore revenue in FY21.
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Neelam Singh: Founder of The Burger Company, she built a QSR and casual dining empire, now with over 100 outlets in 40+ cities.
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Panchali Mahendra: As CEO of Atelier House Hospitality, she has managed 11 successful restaurants and overseen nearly 70 more worldwide.
Pankaj Bhadouria: From schoolteacher to MasterChef India winner, she went on to host 3 Course with Pankaj and author bestselling cookbooks.
Pooja Dhingra: A Le Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef, she founded Le 15 Patisserie, bringing Parisian pâtisserie culture to Mumbai.
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Raimati Ghiuria: Preserving 30 rare millet varieties, she has trained women farmers and represented India at the G20 Summit.
Rashmi Daga: Founder of FreshMenu, she has revolutionised food delivery while championing local farmers and empowering women in the industry.
Ritu Dalmia: Co-founder of Diva Restaurants, the celebrity chef introduced India to modern Italian cuisine long before it became mainstream.
Ruchyeta Bhatia: Founder of Love & Cheesecake, she expanded into brands like Brewworks and Sesami and is known as Mumbai’s Cheesecake Queen.
Rupali Bhatnagar: Winemaker behind India’s first Sparkling Shiraz, she is a trailblazer in both reductive and oxidative winemaking.
Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal: MD of Perfect Bite Consulting and Curating Editor of the Godrej Food Trends Report, she is a key voice in India’s evolving food culture.
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Saba Gaziyani: One of Asia’s top food stylists, she has shaped the visual storytelling of Indian cuisine.
Sharmila Oswal: Dubbed India’s “Millet Evangelist,” she leads the charge in agricultural innovation and nutrition awareness.
Sheetal Saxena: With a diverse portfolio of restaurants, from Colocal to Roastery, she is at the forefront of India’s restaurant world.
Shipra Khanna: A MasterChef India winner and television host, she inspires women to embrace their culinary passions.
Subhadra Ramamoorthy: Founder of PVR Foods, she pioneered a range of 83 millet-based ready-to-cook products, empowering rural women.
Ssukham B Grewal: Founder of Aarrroi Asian Zest, she offers natural, wholesome ingredients without preservatives, MSG and gluten.
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Tarla Dalal: India’s most beloved cookbook author, she transformed home cooking into an art form and inspired generations.
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Uma Jha: With Kalpana Jha, brought the authentic flavours of Mithila to Shark Tank India with their brand Jha Ji, specialising in traditional Bihari pickles.
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Yoginee Budhkar: Co-founded Cerana Meads, one of India’s first meaderies, in Nashik
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