Imparting culinary skills to needy

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 13

With her usual arsenal (a spatula and a bowl) and clear head, young chef Drishti Nanda from the city is aiming to break some social barriers by empowering needy women with professional culinary skills. Her initiative to reach out to women from economically-weaker section of society and impart them free-of-cost training is her way of giving back to society and also offers skill development through a simple gesture. “Like I say, I am a chef not by qualification but by experience. While I was aspiring to become a chef, I always struggled to find tutors or professional training avenue in specialised culinary skills in the city. If someone has resources, they can afford to move out to metro cities and learn from reputed institutions. But those, who do not have the means, have to do it through years of experience. So, I want to help out these women through skill development and giving them an opportunity to achieve financial independence,” she says.

The master chef contestant-turned-entrepreneur says that since mindsets are changing regarding the profession, being a chef gives you an edge, especially in a city known for its love for food.

“It’s a high paying job and a lot of youngsters are taking up the profession due to the creative independence it provides you.” Starting from the basics, she will be teaching the women technicalities of the profession as well kitchen management to help them understand the requirements of the industry.