Guwahati: While the world sought solace in the comfort of their homes in 2020, Upasana Pathak, a visionary home baker, turned her passion into a thriving cloud kitchen business, which she named The Chopping Board Guwahati (TCB). What started as a solo venture during the COVID-19-induced lockdown has now evolved into a thriving culinary haven, marking three years of TCB's flavorful journey.
With a BSc in hotel management from the Institute of Hotel Management in Guwahati, Upasana's passion for cooking and baking was evident early on. She was encouraged by her father, who recognized her culinary flair early on. "I envisioned creating something of her own amidst the challenging and hectic life at IHM, where every day brought real-life experiences," Upasana shared with Business North East. "For me, the inception of TCB was an unplanned yet bold step into the world of culinary entrepreneurship."
Upasana's initial hurdle was establishing a customer base, as TCB would operate as a cloud kitchen. "Convincing people that the offerings were not just delicious but also imbued with a homemade touch, authenticity, and stringent hygiene standards posed a unique challenge," she said.
Over the years, TCB has garnered a loyal customer base primarily in Guwahati, with Upasana's delightful treats even finding their way to places like Bangalore and Coorg.
Upasana relies on Bikozee, a local delivery service, for minimal orders, while she handles bulk orders herself. "With a disciplined approach, TCB operates with two orders per day, primarily filled during the first five days of the week," she shared with Business North East.
"Specializing in delectable treats, TCB's menu boasts chocolate cakes, cheesecakes, tea cakes, korma, joha rice pulao, baked eggs, and mouthwatering non-veg and veg combos," added Upasana. "With prices starting as low as Rs. 150 per plate for non-veg combos and Rs. 100–120 per veg plate, TCB offers a range of customizable options."
Upasana said that she initially invested an amount of around Rs 2.5 lakhs, which fueled TCB's growth. Fulfilling her vision for expansion, she is set to foray into the bakery business in 2024. She has ventured into the restaurant business with 'Upasana Restaurant' in the Nalbari district of Assam.
Looking ahead, Upasana envisions TCB emerging as a distinctive brand, with signature items found exclusively in her cloud kitchen. The name, The Chopping Board Guwahati, stems from the essence of cooking and baking; the chopping board is a symbol of the essential tools used in the culinary craft, with a Sanskrit meaning related to food.
While still a small business, Upasana's TCB hasn't started catering services, but the entrepreneur intends to step into the realm gradually. With a robust managerial team in place, Upasana, the sole owner of TCB, says she could begin catering for larger events. "As of now, I have catered for up to 120 people," she said.
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