Maami’s Munchies offers healthy snacks | Fusion - WeRIndia

Many mothers have been our wings to fly, often sacrificing their dreams to nurture ours.

Nayana Mehta’s story is one of resilience and a long-awaited journey to fulfil her culinary aspirations.

Born in the 1950s in Mumbai, she had a deep love for science and pursued an academic degree.

But like many women of her time, marriage and family became her focus, dedicating herself to raising three children and managing the household.

Cooking was Nayana’s lifelong joy. At the young age of 13, her love for the culinary arts took root, learning recipes from her mother and experimenting in her Matunga kitchen.

Her daughter, Purvi, recalls that her mother’s snacks were legendary. From dhoklas to idlis, ghughra to besan laddoos, Nayana’s creations became a staple at family gatherings, filling their home with warmth and delicious aromas.

However, societal expectations kept her talents within their home for years.

Purvi admired her mother’s cooking, hoping one day Nayana’s creations could reach a wider audience.

The opportunity arrived unexpectedly with the COVID-19 pandemic. As people sought safe, home-cooked meals, Nayana began preparing food for friends and family.

Positive feedback and encouragement led her to formally launch her business, Maami’s Munchies, at age 66.

In 2020, with her children’s support, she took her venture online, reaching over 2,000 customers with her signature snacks, pickles, and sweets.

Nayana’s first paid order came during an exhibition, giving her the chance to meet customers face-to-face.

The joy and validation she felt from their reactions ignited her confidence. She also felt proud of earning from her cooking.

Today, she runs Maami’s Munchies with the enthusiasm of a teenager, staying busy with Diwali orders and sharing her passion for cooking.

With each dish, Nayana is not just fulfilling orders but living a long-awaited dream.

Her journey serves as a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to chase your passions.

Her children, thrilled to see her growth, continue to support her by managing social media pages and spreading the word.

Image Credit: DSwathika, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peanut_laddu.jpeg