Chef Harpreet Ahuja's Best Recipe Is That Of Reclaiming Self-Worth

At the beginning of my conversation with Harpreet Ahuja, I asked her to introduce herself. She replied with utmost glee and pride, "I am a chef!" reflecting not only her passion for culinary crafts but also a profound sense of self-assurance. For decades, she dedicated herself to being a doting mother, wife, and daughter. However, as years passed, Ahuja realised that while she had nurtured and supported her family's goals with unwavering commitment, she had inadvertently set aside her own aspirations. Witnessing her children touch new heights in their careers, the Toronto-based homemaker embarked on a renewed trail of life with her catering business, Shilpi's Kitchen.

Taking the aromatic wonders of her homeland to Canada, Ahuja's venture serves scrumptious home-cooked Indian meals. Speaking to SheThePeople in an exclusive interview, she told me how being economically independent has turned her life around, in terms of financial autonomy as well as finding a part of herself that she had shelved.

Harpreet Ahuja's Story

"I won a gold medal for MBA in the 90s but being from a conservative family, I was forced to get married," Ahuja shared, describing her background growing up in Uttar Pradesh. She continued, "I got very good job offers and I was the only girl selected on campus. I wanted to follow my dreams but there was a lot of family pressure on me." 

After her marriage, Ahuja's in-laws were not supportive of her pursuing a career, which is why she made peace with a homemaker's lifestyle. When she had children, she decided to give them a life with no bounds on dreams. "I kind of put all my energy into bringing them up well. I really wanted to live my dreams through them," she expressed.

Ahuja ensured that her children felt no limitations in their aspirations, "I made a special effort by taking them to different kinds of classes and made a very strict routine. Now, my daughter and my son, really make me proud," she expressed confidently. Ahuja even moved to Canada a few years ago to support her children's education.

Ahuja's daughter is a young social entrepreneur and her son is a business major at a top university. Now that her children are making big waves in their careers, Ahuja realised it was her turn to kickstart a new chapter. The entrepreneur started her desi catering business in January 2024 and already boasts an active customer base.

Recipe For Self-Reclamation

Harpreet Ahuja recently visited a dentist's office where she experienced a momentous realisation. While filling out a form, she penned the word 'chef' under the occupation column, when it hit her that she could finally claim a title for herself. "I really needed that validation. It was like a high," she exclaimed, oozing an inspiring grit.

Speaking about why she chose catering, Ahuja described her love for cooking from a young age, stemming from her family's hotel business. "I love cooking, it has always been my passion. Whenever we had events at home, I always liked to cook for the guests instead of ordering in. I love feeding people and hearing appreciation for my food."

For Ahuja, her culinary journey has been the start of many new adventures and self-discoveries. Being new to Canada and starting a career after a long career gap, her confidence was often dimmed by self-doubt. However, her children pushed her to regain self-assurance and embrace her talents wholeheartedly. 

She expressed, "I realized when my kids were young, I pushed them to do big things, but now it's their turn. I realised that the validation that I'm getting now when I see my earnings and the appreciation from the people around me has been very important. Somewhere deep down, I always needed assurance that 'Harpreet Ahuja is worth something'."

Harpreet Ahuja's decision to unlink the chain of patriarchal expectations not only allowed her children to fulfil their dreams but also let her steer the wheel of her own life. Her story underscores that it is not selfish for women to seek validation for their efforts. She exemplifies how there is no limit to women taking control of their narratives and realising their self-worth.