The Indian food and beverage industry has long been dynamic, but recently, a wave of visionary women founders has been reshaping it with bold ideas, creative craftsmanship, and an unstoppable drive. These trailblazers are challenging norms, breaking barriers, and setting new standards of excellence. In our conversations with these remarkable women, we uncovered the passion, struggles, and triumphs behind their brands. Here’s what they had to say about their journeys, challenges, and the legacies they are building.
Trailblazing Women Founders On Passion, Persistence & Breaking Barriers
1. Chef Rachi, Founder Of The Bread Bar & The Gelato Bar
Chef Rachi Gupta’s journey into the F&B industry is a testament to her passion for high-quality, artisanal food. With her ventures, The Bread Bar and The Gelato Bar, she has created a space that emphasises fresh, natural ingredients, offering both traditional Italian gelato and handmade bread. Reflecting on what inspired her entrepreneurial journey, Chef Rachi says, “My love for food and the joy it brings to people inspired me to start my venture.” The defining moment came when she noticed a gap in the market for clean, high-quality breads and gelato.
Chef Rachi is passionate about debunking myths about women in the F&B industry, particularly the outdated belief that women can’t handle the physical and mental demands of the profession. “We’re just as capable of running high-pressure kitchens, leading teams, and building successful brands,” she states confidently. Despite the challenges, her days are filled with a mix of overseeing operations, developing new recipes, and balancing personal time.
She draws inspiration from fellow women founders like Chef Garima Arora, who has redefined Indian flavours on a global scale, and Chef Pooja Dhingra, whose Le15 Patisserie has made French pastries more accessible. “It’s inspiring to see women at the forefront of the industry, shaping India’s food scene with creativity, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose,” she adds.
2. Minakshi Singh, Co-Founder, India Bartender Week; Cocktails & Dreams Speakeasy, Sidecar, The Brook & Drinks India Company
A force to be reckoned with in India’s alco-bev industry, Minakshi Singh has redefined bar culture through her award-winning ventures—Cocktails & Dreams Speakeasy, Sidecar, The Brook, and Drinks India Company. As a co-founder of India Bartender Week (IBW) and a global thought leader in mixology, Minakshi’s impact extends beyond borders.
Referring to the defining moment of her entrepreneurial journey, Minakshi says, “India needed bars that weren’t just about serving drinks but about craftsmanship, storytelling, and elevating the guest experience.” Her journey into entrepreneurship was driven by her realisation that India’s cocktail culture had immense untapped potential. This realisation led to the birth of Cocktails & Dreams Speakeasy and, soon after, the award-winning Sidecar.
Breaking stereotypes in the male-dominated alco-bev industry, Minakshi is passionate about changing the narrative for women in hospitality. “Success in this industry is about knowledge, skill, and passion—none of which are gendered,” she says.
Through IBW, she’s actively working to create an ecosystem that supports diversity and mentorship in bartending. Whether it’s crafting innovative cocktail menus, expanding bar culture, or mentoring the next generation of mixologists, Minakshi’s vision is to put India’s cocktail scene on the global map. Three words that define her brand? Craftsmanship. Community. Innovation.
3. Vaishali Mehta, Co-Founder, SWA Artisanal Syrups
Vaishali Mehta’s venture, SWA Artisanal Syrups, is revolutionising India’s beverage industry with 100% natural, preservative-free syrups. Drawing inspiration from her roots, Vaishali was motivated by her experiences abroad, where she realised the lack of high-quality, natural mixers in India. She recalls, “It just didn’t make sense… we used artificial mango flavours instead of the real thing.” This realisation led her to create SWA.
Vaishali challenges the notion that women in F&B only occupy front-end roles. She emphasises that women are also leading innovation and shaping brands behind the scenes, with over 90% of her production team being women. “They’re the backbone of what we do, and their expertise and craftsmanship are what make our syrups truly artisanal,” she proudly says. She also speaks out against the outdated idea that women have to choose between business and personal life. “You can build, lead, and succeed on your own terms,” Vaishali asserts. With SWA, Vaishali isn’t just innovating products—she’s creating a more inclusive and authentic drinking culture.
Showering her admiration on fellow women founders, she credits founders like Vineeta Singh and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw for proving that leadership, innovation, and business acumen have nothing to do with gender.
4. Alisha Shah, Co-founder Of Gold By ICW
Alisha Shah’s vision for Gold by ICW has completely transformed ice cream from a simple dessert into a luxury experience. Through meticulous craftsmanship and the use of premium ingredients, Alisha has created a brand that exudes opulence in every scoop. “Luxury isn’t just about price points—it’s about experience, about taking something familiar and elevating it into something extraordinary,” she explains. Her defining moment came when she saw a gap in the market for truly luxurious ice creams. “I wanted to create a brand where every scoop tells a story, where ingredients are handpicked for their rarity,” Alisha says.
Alisha has worked tirelessly to challenge perceptions about women in F&B, particularly the myth that women should only hold “soft” roles in the industry. “The truth is, women are leading every aspect of the business, from strategic planning to scaling operations,” she asserts. For her, balance is key—ensuring that work, creativity, and personal life coexist harmoniously. “No two days are ever the same, and that’s what keeps things exciting!” she reflects, speaking to the dynamic nature of her entrepreneurial life. When defining her brand, Alisha focuses on three pillars: “Opulent, Artisanal, Unexpected.”
Also Read: 8 Women Chefs Who Are Winning Hearts And Followers With Their Incredible Recipes
5. Sakshi Saigal, Co-founder Of Stranger & Sons, Third Eye Distillery
Sakshi Saigal’s journey into the alcohol industry is a testament to the power of bold decisions. Along with her co-founders, Rahul Mehra and Vidur Gupta, she created Third Eye Distillery in 2018, introducing Stranger & Sons, a gin that proudly represents India on the global spirits stage. “We entered the alcohol industry after seeing an opportunity to showcase India authentically and contextually on the global spirits landscape,” says Sakshi, recalling the moment that sparked their entrepreneurial path. What sets their gin apart is its distinct Indian roots, using botanicals native to the country, which led them to define their gin as “The spirit of India in a spirit from India.”
For Sakshi, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. “Women aren’t just participating in the F&B industry; we’re redefining it,” she boldly states. Through it all, she manages the delicate balance of entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal life by setting structured schedules and setting clear boundaries. When asked to define Stranger & Sons in three words, Sakshi says, “Bold, Layered, and Inherently Indian,” capturing their revolutionary approach to gin.
6. Suchali Jain, Founder Of Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse
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From the structured world of finance to the realm of artisanal baking, Suchali Jain’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring. After discovering the art of slow, naturally fermented bread in Europe, she realised there was a void in the Indian market for high-quality, preservative-free bread. “It was then that I realised that India and its bread-loving population deserved to have something unique,” says Suchali.
Suchali’s commitment to craftsmanship, transparency, and nourishment has revolutionised India’s baking industry. Her brand’s focus on using high-quality ingredients and offering clear labelling is an essential part of her mission. “Craftsmanship”, she says, is the first word that defines her brand. In addition to her success in baking, Suchali dispels the myth that women in the food industry are physically weak. “I myself, at the very initial phase of my journey, worked for nearly 16-18 hours every day solely preparing and baking breads,” she laughs, proving that dedication and strength know no gender.
For Suchali, balancing entrepreneurship with personal life is about planning and discipline, ensuring she stays true to her passions while maintaining control over her time. She also shows her support and admiration for fellow women founders and businesses like Slurrp Farms, Theobroma, Nykaa, and Sugar Cosmetics.
7. Nidhi Singh, Co-Founder Of Samosa Singh
For Nidhi Singh, samosas are more than just a snack—they are a story, a legacy, and a nostalgic trip down memory lane. With a decade-long career in sales and strategy, she took a bold leap into entrepreneurship with Samosa Singh, driven by a singular thought: “Why not samosas?” “Samosa—such a wonderful word that immediately takes you down memory lane. I still haven’t come across anyone who doesn’t love this product,” she shares.
Nidhi is determined to challenge outdated notions about women entrepreneurs in the food industry. “One such myth is that women aren’t able to cope with the operational intensity of F&B. The truth is, we bring superior multitasking skills, resilience, and creativity to the sector,” she asserts. She also rejects the stereotype that women rely on emotions over strategy, emphasising, “We are highly analytical in balancing creativity and consumer information.”
Nidhi is a firm believer in the power of women-led businesses and initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) by NITI Aayog. She acknowledges the transformative shift in India’s business landscape, where women no longer need male counterparts to validate their ventures. “The self-sufficient women of today are making better business owners and advancing significantly in every sector they set foot in,” she states. With over 13.5 million women-led businesses in India providing 22 million jobs, she sees a future where female entrepreneurs shape the economic landscape.
8. Rashmi Mishra & Rinka Jha, Co-founders Of Two Gud Sisters
Friends turned soul sisters, Rashmi Mishra and Rinka Jha have turned their shared passion for food and drink into a venture that’s not just about dining but also about connection. Co-founding Two Gud Sisters, their all-day café and bar, they wanted to create a space where food, drinks, and community come together seamlessly. “We’ve always had a passion for food and drinks as well as a desire to create a place where people could gather and feel welcome,” says Rashmi. For Rinka, the space they’ve built is not just about great food—it’s about fostering unforgettable experiences. “Two Gud Sisters is a place to connect as much as to eat,” she says.
These women are breaking barriers, particularly when it comes to myths about female entrepreneurs in the F&B sector. Rashmi takes aim at the idea that women are too risk-averse for this space. “In reality, women are incredibly strong and adaptive, which allows them to overcome these obstacles and succeed,” she asserts. Rinka tackles the myth that women lack the business acumen to succeed. “Women contribute special viewpoints and abilities that propel company development,” she says. For them, Two Gud Sisters is about authenticity, creativity, and warmth.
9. Sonal Barmecha, Founder Of Santé Spa Cuisine
For Sonal Barmecha, food isn’t just about eating; it’s a way of life. As the Founder of Santé Spa Cuisine, she has redefined healthy dining in India, making it delicious, accessible, and guilt-free. “I always struggled to find food that truly aligned with my approach to wellness. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to create it myself,” she says.
Her journey started with a personal need for clean, nourishing food. She found that most restaurant menus were too heavy, too processed, or lacking in real nutrition. This frustration led to the birth of Santé Spa Cuisine. She challenges the myth that women can’t balance their personal and professional lives in F&B. “Women are natural multitaskers. When you’re truly passionate about something, it doesn’t feel like a struggle,” she asserts.
By prioritising research and innovation, she keeps Santé at the forefront of wellness dining, ensuring her brand stays ahead. Beyond food, Sonal is deeply invested in empowering women. She actively supports NGOs that help young girls break barriers and achieve their dreams—believing that true success lies in uplifting others along the way.
These women founders are not just building brands; they are breaking barriers, redefining norms, and proving that the F&B industry is richer, more diverse, and more powerful with them at the forefront.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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