A ‘wandering’ startup serves meals on wheels

Here’s the story of an interesting foodtruck.

After a long tedious day at office, how about a plate of mouth-watering caramelized onion fries? Imagine the exotic tastes of some finger licking burgers, with the touch of Mexican flavour to it… or perhaps a potato blast with an Indian touch?

All of this, and a lot more desi and videsi cuisines unravel in ‘The Wandering Tastebuds.’ In a candid conversation Pooja Adhiya tells Gairika Mitra about her entrepreneurial aspirations and journey.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

How did the idea of a food truck occur to you?

Being a food entrepreneur has always been a dream of mine, ever since my graduation days. I had always craved to make a strong mark in this industry and do something to reach out to people at a much personal level. Carving out the niche was important and I wanted to do justice, to both the practical as well as the emotional part of me.

Allow me to make an honest confession here… This entire concept of presenting a variety of cuisines from various continents from inside a truck was new and fascinating. I wanted to walk the path down myself and take full responsibility towards my business and nurture it as if it were my own baby. All these facts clubbed together, I feel I have made a smart step towards the journey of entrepreneurship.

What’s the inspiration behind the name of your truck? Why is it black- usually not the colour of food trucks in India?

Most of the food we prepare caters to our customers’ taste buds and they too remember us while ‘wandering’ through the alleys. Thus this name.

While black is not preferred in Indian culture, it is a very popular colour choice in the US and UK, and while I was already doing something that is fairly successful abroad, I chose to adopt what is doing well with the masses there in business and style.

How long have you been in the business and what responses have you received from the masses?

We have been in business for a little over four months now, and in these four months, we have received a positive feedback from the masses. We are quite innovative in serving our own varieties.

Yet, going a little ‘off the track’ I would mention that at present, there are no specific laws on food trucks. Had there been some, the process would be a lot more eased out.

Being a woman, have you faced any challenges your way while starting a business?

A confident Pooja

Well, to be truthful, the voyage so far has not been too smooth. I faced uncomfortable situations wherein government officials refused to talk to me because of my gender. Many a times, I was accompanied by my father and brother to government offices while seeking permission to start our food truck business here. Things could be well off in place, if these matters were flexible enough.

Any tips for wannapreneurs wanting to start out in the food truck and hospitality business?

Yes, follow your heart and don’t ever stop chasing your dreams for anyone or anything on earth. The expedition might not be too easy, yet if you believe in yourself, slowly and gradually the entire world will.

The startup domain opens up to more and more options with women like Pooja taking a bold step and starting their own ventures.

And, what if the new saying goes, “behind every successful entrepreneur, is an even more successful womanpreneur?”  What’s your take on this?