Food for Thought

Thirty five-year-old Yadav started Anushree Tiffin Services in Mumbai after experiencing a major dearth of wholesome home cooked food in the city.

“During my summer internship in Bangalore,when the IIM mess was shut,I would crave for ghar ka khana. When I asked my colleagues in Mumbai,I realised that I wasn’t the only one. Thus was born Anushree Tiffin Services,” said Yadav.

With a view to cater to other working people and students like him,he roped in the best cook he could think of – his wife. Twenty nine-year-old Rekha Yadav spearheads the most important aspect of the operation,the food.

“We wanted to start out on a small scale and have limited our services to areas in and around Mira Road. Unlike the rest of Mumbai,Mira Road is still developing and has a lot of working couples who have no time to cook,” said Rekha. A dabba from Anushree typically contains rice,chappati ,vegetable,dal and sweet dish,all within Rs 75.

Unlike a lot of his peers,who will be sitting for placements at the end of the course,Yadav plans to take a year off to bring up what he calls his baby. This,despite the lucrative offers that the institute will offer him after his course.

“ It will take me five years to earn as much as someone who takes up a job with an MNC will earn right away,but we don’t see Anushree as a means for profit,which is why we haven’t gone overboard with either marketing or expansion,” said Yadav.

“People disregard us sometimes wondering why we haven’t ‘promoted’ our venture. It is difficult to find someone who shares our passion.” he added.

Their team of cooks includes Rekha,an elderly couple from Indore and Ammaji whose expertise is traditional Indian dishes.

After paying a hefty fee for the IIM course,not too many graduates are bold enough to start out on their own. Fortunately for Yadav,his friends and professors at IIM have been extremely supportive.

“At IIM,‘entrepreneurship’ and ‘ventures’ are buzz words. Anyone who has the guts and ability to start something of his own is looked at with respect. A large number of IIM-B students get placed in Mumbai and at the end of the day,all they need is a hot meal. In fact,there is even a 20 per cent discount for IIM-B students working in Mumbai!”

Two-month-old Anushree Tiffin Services has found a satisfied clientele in its 35 customers. However,there have been teething issues. “Peoples’ demands vary in terms of quality,quantity and variety. Some prefer one vegetable over another,some need more rice that others. We have to cater to individual tastes,” said Rekha.

According to Yadav,ensuring that people don’t get bored with the food is a huge challenge. “To keep the novelty of each meal,we bring in as much variation as possible. For example,today’s dabba will have karela. A lot of people will cringe at the thought of it but after eating it,they will call me up and actually ask for the same dish soon!”

It has been a bold step for Yadav who has his wife and seven-year-old daughter to look after. But he is confident of his decision. “I know what joy a hot meal at the end of the day brings. And if I can spread that joy,I feel I have been successful,” adds Yadav with a smile.