‘Saroj Didi’s Kitchen’: B’luru man helps his cook start her own food business

Team Udayavani, Jul 29, 2020, 5:06 PM IST

Photo credit: Twitter

Bengaluru: Lockdown following the coronavirus outbreak has added extra kitchen skills in many of us. While for most us cooking was a hobby, for some others it was a sheer necessity. Something akin happened to Saroj Didi, for whom cooking has been more than a passion.

A 47-year-old mother of three, Saroj Didi, has taken the unfortunate lockdown as a challenge and started her own home-cooked food business. However, it wouldn’t have been possible if not for Ankit Vengulerkar, a resident of Bengaluru.

Saroj Didi and her husband used to run a small eatery in Mangammanapalya and after his death she had to close the eating joint. She raised her kids by doing housework and has been working at Ankit Vengulerkar’s house for the past year.

The story came to limelight after Vengulerkar, who works at a private firm, posted a Twitter thread about Saroj Didi on July 24.

“A thread on Saroj Didi. She’s 47. Has 3 kids. Her husband and she used to run a small eating joint in Mangammanapalya. When her husband passed away, she shut down the business to look after her kids and raise them by doing housework. She’s fluent in Kannada, Hindi, English,” Ankit wrote.

A thread on Saroj Didi. She’s 47. Has 3 kids. Her husband & she used to run a small eating joint in Mangammanapalya. When her husband passed away, she shut down the business to look after her kids and raise them by doing housework.
She’s fluent in Kannada, Hindi, English. pic.twitter.com/zyCS76yoOD

— Gadgetwala (@ankitv) July 24, 2020

“Saroj Didi’s been cooking and cleaning at my Bangalore home for almost a year now. Extremely reliable. We bond over food and cats. She’s been wanting to start a home-cooked food business for a few weeks now. We started today. She’s extremely talented and experienced in cooking,” he said in another tweet.

If you live near HSR layout in Bangalore, and would like to get a tiffin service or any yummy food, please consider Saroj Didi. It’ll help her earn extra income. And you’ll get some super delicious food.
Thanks for your support & kindness. ? pic.twitter.com/8nF9jJRTB1

— Gadgetwala (@ankitv) July 24, 2020

“Who would like to eat some delicious home cooked Mangalore Crab curry? I’m helping my cook Saroj Didi start a food business. Your support would mean the world. Rs 300 for a portion. DM me if you’re in Bangalore and want some.Delivery charges would be as per Dunzo Care,” added Ankit.

???
Who would like to eat some delicious home cooked Mangalore Crab curry?
I’m helping my cook Saroj Didi start a food business. Your support would mean the world.
₹300 for a portion. DM me if you’re in Bangalore and want some.
Delivery charges would be as per @DunzoCare pic.twitter.com/jFQ5RDNQFB

— Gadgetwala (@ankitv) July 24, 2020

“If you live near HSR layout in Bangalore, and would like to get a tiffin service or any yummy food, please consider Saroj Didi. It’ll help her earn extra income. And you’ll get some super delicious food,” he added.

If you live near HSR layout in Bangalore, and would like to get a tiffin service or any yummy food, please consider Saroj Didi. It’ll help her earn extra income. And you’ll get some super delicious food.
Thanks for your support & kindness. ? pic.twitter.com/8nF9jJRTB1

— Gadgetwala (@ankitv) July 24, 2020

While Saroj Didi cooks, Vengulerkar manages the sales, takes orders and payments and coordinates with delivery persons for pick-up. Vengulerkar’s tweets helped Saroj Didi get Crab Curry orders from JP Nagar to Indiranagar to Koramangala. He also shared photos and videos of Saroj Didi and her food.