Rumi once said – “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do”. This seems to hold true for most home chefs including our celebrity chef for the month Nisha Jain. Persuaded and egged on by her mother-in-law, her passion for cooking good food gave birth to The Mint Leaf Food Co. about 16 years ago. A humble start with salads, soon saw her being introduced as a caterer to events, parties, and close gatherings.
The first big event was a prewedding function where she catered to about 200 people. Anxious as she was for it to go well, she kept her fingers crossed and there was no looking back from there. Along the way came many challenges, which she took up smilingly, kept honing her skills, experimenting, and innovating. She reminisces about the time when a client desired the table décor to be done as part of the catering. Clueless, she sought help from her daughter’s friend. Realising soon enough that serving food is an art she started looking around for materials to match the theme of the décor as per the cuisine, which imparted an authentic touch.
The high point has been serving about 300 artists in the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2018 which was well received and much appreciated. Prior to covid, she catered to corporates – including Times of India, and Kotak Mahindra, serving them Breakfast, lunch, and Hi-Tea. The pandemic wiped out this part of the business and it did not see the light of the day. As the saying goes – every cloud has a silver lining – during the pandemic she started her cloud kitchen and introduced home-cooked food. It was an instant hit with all, especially the residents of GK2. Be it the desi dal, roti sabzi, or the exotic, Italian, Lebanese, or Mexican – her ably trained team served all with elan.
Her husband remains her greatest critic yet a pillar of support, helping her to take care of the catering to embassies which include the American, German, and Swiss. Ask her about her favourite cuisine and pat comes the reply – “Mexican” – a cuisine not commonly found amongst cloud kitchens. Born and brought up in Kolkata, then shifting to Jaipur post-marriage and eventually Delhi, her journey has been a remarkable one. Like every woman she is fond of clothes, jewelry as also playing cards Mother to three beautiful and talented daughters, when asked what keeps her going – she replies matter of factly – “Every event is a challenge and good words from clients keep me motivated”. Her mantra – Follow your passion and you will make a name for yourself!!
by Amita Bhuwania (9810085065)
