In a patriarchal society like India, many women have managed to breach traditional taboos and carve opportunities for themselves. These are creative, lateral-thinking, visionary women who not only charmingly flourished in their personal lives but also proved that they could be the driving force to professionally lead the world in any segment. This International Women’s Day, it’s time to applaud and truly appreciate the resolute spirit of Indian women who managed to achieve the unthinkable.

The Entrepreneurial Woman in Making
Sarita Bazaz, the first woman entrepreneur in the catering industry who today owns her own catering company called The Food Affairs, is one such person who has left a lasting impression in the food and beverage sector and has revolutionized the catering industry in India solely with her passion, enthusiasm, and humility.

Although Sarita was never interested in starting her own business, she was always passionate about the art of cooking. She drew inspiration from her mother and sister, who showed her that preparing food was more about creating flavors with compassion. By the age of 13, she had learned enough to cook a full meal. Growing up in a typical Marwari household in Bhagalpur, a small district in Bihar, Sarita learned that food was just as essential as religion. Her everyday family routine and conversations often revolved around food, shaping her belief that preparing and serving food is a way to show kindness, respect, and unconditional love. Native Marwari expressions like ‘Manuhar and Aagraha’, which denote respect in serving meals, were the impetus behindMarwari cuisine and laid the groundwork for becoming the core of The Food Affairs.

Growing up in a backyard full of fresh, homegrown, and organic ingredients, Sarita was always conscious of the ingredients she used in her cooking. This understanding enabled her to select only the best ingredients while providing her services.

The Pursuit of Success
Thirty years ago, when Sarita moved to Delhi, she noticed that the vegetarian food options in the city were limited and lacked variety in flavor. This inspired her to start her first venture from her home kitchen after encouragement from her loved ones. She began by providing catering services for small-scale events and steadily expanded her business. Sarita’s dedication to her clients and her philosophy of treating them like family helped her grow and prosper year after year. Her success is a testament to her unwavering commitment to quality and service, which has enabled her to build a loyal client base and expand her business with ease.