Food & Beverage

Raashika Kulshreshtha, a Woman Home Chef Fulfilling Her Entrepreneurial Dream with Cloud Kitchen

Chef & Owner, Shub Rasoinoida

Be stubborn, passionate and dedicated towards your goals and dreams.
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Be stubborn, passionate and dedicated towards your goals and dreams.
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A passion driven chef and owner of a cloud-kitchen business, Raashika Kulshreshtha has won awards and has been featured in newspapers for her special Covid meals. She had won the 1st prize in an online competition organised by the world renowned chef Vikas Khanna.

Raashika Kulshreshtha is a Chef &  Entrepreneur, and the Owner of Shubh Rasoi, a cloud-kitchen business in Noida.

She is also working as a Chef at ‘Imperfecto’ restaurant. She had gained valuable experience from her internship at TAJ Hotels and her stint at Marriott Hotels, where she honed her culinary skills and deepened her knowledge of the hospitality industry.

Raashika Kulshreshtha, the founder of Shubh Rasoi, has made significant contributions to the culinary world, driven by her passion for cooking and a deep desire to feed people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she initiated a COVID meal service, which unexpectedly gained nationwide recognition, but for her, true success lay in the positive feedback and blessings from those whom she provided the meals with. Committed to social causes, she is actively working on launching an NGO to combat hunger, ensuring no child goes to sleep hungry.

She shares that the blessings and support from people have helped her move forward and reach this stage in her journey. During the pandemic, her team provided COVID meals, and now they are planning to expand the menu by introducing four new segments.

Raashika Kulshreshtha had always dreamed of starting her own business and had been a passionate foodie since childhood. The inspiration for her venture came during the pandemic when she noticed that most restaurants had shut down, while some, like Domino’s, continued to operate through online booking and home delivery. This observation sparked the idea of launching a cloud-based kitchen.

Considering the financial struggles many people were facing at the time, Raashika built her business with affordability in mind. She set her prices at the lowest possible rates, with the most expensive dish on her menu costing just ₹180. Despite the budget-friendly approach, she remained committed to quality, ensuring that every dish was made using the finest ingredients.

Shubh Rasoi Owner Raashika describes the challenge she faced in her business; the customers expected larger quantities at lower prices, which led to initial losses in her business. However, her commitment to maintaining quality helped her build a strong reputation in the surrounding areas. Over time, she began receiving orders not only for Indian food, her specialty, but also for breakfast items and cakes. This growing demand marked the beginning of her cloud kitchen, Shubh Rasoi.

After some time, Kulshrestha had to temporarily shut down her operations due to personal reasons. However, with the onset of another lockdown, she decided to restart her business. This time, Raashika also took the help and support from her friends who are bloggers, they helped create awareness about her cloud kitchen and boost its presence in the market.

Raashika Kulshreshtha recalls helping her mother in the kitchen from a young age and fondly remembers making her first dish, "Aloo Paratha," when she was just four years old. Her passion for cooking started in her childhood, and she always dreamed of becoming a chef. However, during her teenage years and in her academic life, her family encouraged her to pursue a career in civil services or law. Despite their suggestions, Raashika remained firm in her decision, emphasizing that becoming a chef was her true dream, and she wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else.

Raashika Kulshreshtha shares a moment in which she independently went to IHM (Institute of Hotel Management) Aurangabad and completed all the admission formalities on her own. Although her family initially envisioned a different career path for her, they ultimately supported her decision. Her strong determination and dedication to becoming a chef convinced her parents, and they stood by her as she pursued her passion.

Kulshreshtha states that she still has a lot to achieve, such as fulfilling her  dream of opening her own restaurant. Her leadership abilities were evident from a young age, as she was appointed the Discipline Incharge in her school. Raashika prioritizes passion over profit, stating that success is not about money. She further describes that success comes from achieving your goals and serving people rather than from financial gain.

Raashika Kulshreshtha did her schooling till 8th class at Holy Child Senior Secondary School in Tagore Garden, New Delhi. She describes herself as the naughtiest and most notorious student in her school, believing that many of her teachers might still remember her mischievous behavior.

Later, due to her father’s job transfer, she moved to Jabalpur and continued her studies at Christ Church School, one of the city's top convent schools. After some time, she relocated to Nagpur and studied at Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir. For higher education, she pursued a B.A. (Hons) in Culinary Arts from IHM Aurangabad, a prestigious institute known for shaping careers in the hospitality industry, where she enhanced her cooking skills while also developing managerial skills.

Kulshreshtha shares that leaving Delhi brought a significant change in her personality. She became more obedient, punctual, and disciplined. However, she also noticed a drop in her confidence level after the move.

Kulshreshtha further shares that being the youngest in her family made her the most pampered and, at times, the most stubborn. However, she believes that this stubbornness has been a driving force in her journey, helping her carve her own path and reach where she is today. Raashika remains confident that this same determination will continue to guide her toward future success.

Chef Raashika shares that she has always had the support and encouragement of her loved ones, especially her parents, sister, and friends. She is deeply grateful to those who have stood by her throughout her professional journey. Raashika considers herself fortunate to have such a strong support system, which has played a crucial role in shaping her career and helping her pursue her passion for cooking.

Shubh Rasoi Founder Raashika emphasizes that she has always been supported by her loved ones, including her parents and friends. She considers her parents her role models, as they have stood by her through every phase of life.

Kulshreshtha shares that becoming a chef was not just her dream but also her mother’s. It was her mother’s unwavering belief and trust in her that gave her the confidence to pursue a career in this field. Her father, on the other hand, always guided her to make rational and well-thought-out decisions, constantly encouraging her to stay positive and never give in to negativity.

Raashika shares that she feels incredibly fortunate to have parents who always treated her and her sister equally, never making them feel any different for being daughters instead of sons.

Raashika highlights that the food industry is largely male-dominated, and at times, she has faced gender-based biases and inequalities. Despite these challenges, she remains determined to carve her own path and with the support of her sister she was able to regain her confidence and motivation. Apart from her parents, Raashika credits her sister as a major pillar of support, always standing by her through various challenges.

Raashika elaborates that her inspiration for entering the culinary field was the world renowned Chef Vikas Khanna. She first saw him on the show MasterChef and was deeply inspired by his professional life, from basic beginnings to becoming a world-renowned chef. In 2014, Raashika participated in an online competition organised by Vikas Khanna titled "Best Innovative Dish of the Year", where she won first prize. This achievement further fueled her passion for cooking.

Another role model in her career is a chef she had the privilege of personally knowing and working under at a restaurant. She admires how, despite holding the position of Executive Chef, he remains humble and down-to-earth. Working under him, she has learned invaluable lessons about values, ethics, and team management, which continue to shape her professional journey.

Raashika Kulshreshtha further explains that she observes that the restaurant and food industry has evolved over time. Previously, it was primarily focused on skill-based jobs, but now it requires both culinary skills and managerial expertise. Raashika emphasizes that hands-on experience has played a crucial role in shaping her career, highlighting the importance of both practical skills and knowledge. Additionally, she believes that education has a significant impact on a person’s behavior, shaping their approach to work and life.

Entrepreneur and Chef Raashika advises young aspirants that the food industry is not easy and comes with its own challenges. She has seen many people leave the industry over time, but she encourages aspiring chefs to stay committed.

Raashika emphasizes to the younger generation to never quit your job or give up your college seat. Instead, stay dedicated to your dreams and goals. While there may be moments when others discourage you, she emphasizes the importance of not letting negativity affect your pursuit. She advises young chefs to be stubborn for  their dreams, stay persistent and focused on their passion.

Raashika further shares that the motivational quotes from which she gets inspiration from is the one from the Bhagavad Gita, in which Lord Krishna says,

“मैं कठिनाइयां देता हूँ, पर उनसे लड़ने की शक्ति भी मैं ही देता हूँ। कठिनाइयां उसे ही मिलती हैं, जिसमें उनसे लड़ने की क्षमता हो।”

Chef and founder of Shubh Rasoi, Raashika Kulshreshtha, further shares that, despite loving her work and being passionate about it, there are times when she feels like she isn't truly enjoying life and occasionally experiences boredom. To take a break, she turns to her hobbies, singing, writing poems and articles, and spending quality time with family and friends. Additionally, she enjoys experimenting with new dishes and creating innovative content for Shubh Rasoi, keeping her creativity alive.

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Meet Enterprising Chef and Cloud Kitchen Owner Raashika Kulshreshtha

Watch the story of chef Raashika Kulshreshtha, a young entrepreneur and founder of Shubh Rasoi in Noida. Explore her jounery of establishing her own business.