For an interesting idea sometimes you don’t have to look too far. It was at least like that for Harsha Thachery, founder of Masalabox . Currently operational in Kochi, Kerala, Masalabox gives an opportunity for you to savour home cooked meals, in the comfort of your own home. Harsha started experimenting with healthy cooking, baking and trying to find healthy meal options for her family, when the idea of Masalabox hit her. She teamed up with her friend Liya Verghese to turn this idea into the venture that has given foodies in Kochi a reason to smile.
Masalabox does not only give its customers authentic home cooked meals, but also provides an exclusive platform for home chefs to showcase themselves and share their passion for cooking. These home chefs register themselves through the Maslabox website. The team at Masalabox then visit their kitchens, taste the food and then approve the home chefs that you see. Phew!!
The venture that started in August 2014 with 11 home chefs today has 45 registered home chefs and a plethora of dishes to select from. Masalabox makes sure they don’t let too many cooks spoil the broth. A lot of planning goes into the menu that they put up on their website each week. All the chefs list their specialties, and a roster is prepared each month for each chef. This is to ensure there are no overlapping dishes. The planning takes into account the availability of each chef during the month, allowing them to have time for their personal commitments. The menu is then fine-tuned and put up one week in advance.
When Masalabox was first launched it was a fairly new concept, and one of the biggest challenges they faced was getting their idea across to the home chefs and the customers. They also did a fair amount of research to find the right packaging material for all the food. Masalabox was very particular that it had to be environment friendly. The boxes that they use today are made of a plant based fibre, are microwave/oven friendly, and to top it all- looks classy.
If you think they are sitting back and enjoying their success, think again. Masalabox recently launched their Android and iPhone app. They are also in process of expanding their venture. Masalabox will be in Bangalore soon. They already have about 200 applications from potential home chefs!!
Advice to future entrepreneurs- “Follow your passion”. It is with this passion that Masalabox serves you the best of home cooked meals.
Ready to order? Visit their website to see what this week’s box holds for you. Do stop by their facebook page to stay updated on their latest dishes.
Masalabox is giving out a special discount for the readers of TYT. Send us an email to theyellowturmeric@gmail.com with your area of residence and two random readers will get a coupon code for a 25% discount on your order.Terms& Conditions apply.
Images Courtesy Of: Masalabox