Latest news with #SwatiSnacks'
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Swati Snacks' Asha Jhaveri, known for pioneering Indian chaat, passes away at 79
The force behind Mumbai's iconic Swati Snacks, Asha 'Ashaben' Jhaveri, passed away on Saturday, June 14. She was 79. 'Asha Jhaveri passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025. We are deeply saddened by the loss and will miss her very much,' read an official post on Swati Snacks' Instagram page on Monday evening. The post, signed by Anand Zaveri and the family, further informed that 'as per her wish, there will be no besana or prayer meeting.' Founded in the early 1960s by her mother, Minakshi Jhaveri, Swati Snacks began as a modest chaat stall in Tardeo, serving sev puri, bhel puri, ragda pattice, and pani puri. When Minakshi passed away in 1979, Asha stepped in to run the family business. Though she had no formal culinary training, her determination, intuition, and an unparalleled eye for detail transformed Swati Snacks from a four-table counter into one of the city's most iconic and enduring food institutions. Today, it is widely known for its signature dishes such as banana leaf-steamed panki, fada ni khichdi, and satpadi roti, alongside Mumbai favourites like pav bhaji, vada pav, sev puri, and dahi batata puri. A post shared by Swati Snacks (@swatisnacks) Those who worked closely with her often spoke of her hands-on approach, from inspecting ingredients daily to modernising the kitchen and ensuring that every dish remained true to its roots. What also set Swati Snacks apart was its ability to appeal to a wide spectrum of diners — from college students to billionaires. Just two years ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook and actor Madhuri Dixit were photographed enjoying a vada pav at the restaurant. Mukesh Ambani has mentioned that his family places weekly orders, a tradition carried on across three generations. The legendary painter M.F. Husain was known to visit every Sunday for sev puri, while tabla maestro Zakir Hussain favoured the dahi batata puri. Over the years, Swati became a must-visit stop for Michelin-starred chefs visiting Mumbai, whether for work or leisure. In 2021, Asha Jhaveri published a memoir titled Swati Snacks: A Culinary Journey of Hope and Joy, reflecting on her life and her relationship with food. That same year, Swati Snacks was included in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants' 'Essence of Asia' collection. 'Asha Jhaveri of the iconic Swati Snacks lives on in our hearts and in the dishes she created. We had a personal rapport and through her medical suffering, she continued to smile and, in spite of multiple awards, remained down to earth,' wrote Rashmi Uday Singh, veteran food critic and author, on Instagram. Ashaben leaves behind not just a restaurant, but a legacy and a story of determination, and flavour.
India.com
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Nita Ambani once revealed Mukesh Ambani's favourite Gujarati dish is..., it costs Rs...
Ambani weddings are the most talked-about events in the news headlines. From grand decoration, mouth-watering food from every corner of India, designer outfits, star-studded guest lists, and perfectly themed, colour-coordinated attire, everything screams perfection. Banarasi street food like chaat, mithai, lassi, chai, khari, paan, and mukhwas were on the menu of Anant-Radhika wedding. From chaat to chai, Ode to Banaras features the culinary delights from one of the world's oldest living cities. Apart from these, sweets, paan and mukhwas, kharik from Ahmedabad, chaat counters, malai toast and chai, lassi and lemon tea, the food counters set up for guests promise to bring the Banaras' rich and varied food culture to Mumbai. But do you know Mukesh Ambani's favourite snack? Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, a couple who have been married for around 35 years, follow a strict vegetarian diet and generally eat meals that are home-cooked. According to the media report, Mukesh Ambani has been enjoying Gujarati-style dal every evening at dinner, emphasizing the wholesome and culturally anchored food choices made by the couple. Mukesh Ambani, one of Asia's richest people, is a well-known regular at Swati Snacks, one of the most famous places for authentic Gujarati cuisine in Mumbai. From satpadi roti to gatta nu shaak to fada ni khichdi, Swati Snacks' offerings are many and varied. One of its highlights is its panki – a dish made with rice flour, steamed in a plantain leaf, and Mukesh Ambani's favourite dish. This unique kind of food has become iconic in recent years. This Gujarati snack is light, healthy, and so comforting! Panki is made from urad dal flour, curd, fenugreek seeds, turmeric, and rice flour. The most unique part about panki is how it's cooked—between banana leaves—creating a subtle, earthy flavor. Panki can often be had with chutneys, or pickles and it's a household breakfast staple in diverse households in Gujarat. The best part? It's easy and quick to make. Founded in 1963 by Minakshi Jhaveri, Swati Snacks began as a small chaat shop with just four tables and a menu offering four items, each priced at four annas. Over the years, the business has grown into a thriving restaurant chain, now generating a monthly turnover of nearly INR 4 crore.
India.com
23-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani ditch home food once a week to relish...; Street food owner's turnover will shock you
There is a 60-year-old snacks shop in Mumbai, a favourite of even the country's biggest billionaire, Mukesh Ambani, and painter M.F. Husain, Mumbaikars' own 'Swati Snacks'. In 1963, a woman named Minakshi Jhaveri started a small establishment called 'Swati Snacks', selling Gujarati dishes. Minakshi started the shop with four tables to earn a living for her children and her family. Initially, they had just four dishes. She could not have imagined that it would later become a large multi-outlet restaurant chain. 'Swati Snacks' is currently a restaurant chain with a turnover of about Rs 4 crore. Both Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani are true Gujaratis at heart, and they visit Swati Snacks once a week to relish their favourite street food like fafda, gathiya, jalebi, undhiyu, papad, chilla, and dhokla. Reliance Industries Chairman and billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family have also enjoyed Swati Snacks. Mukesh himself once revealed that three generations of his family have enjoyed dishes from Swati Snacks. Famous painter M.F. Hussain's favourite dish at Swati Snacks was Sev Puri. Tabla player Zakir Hussain is a fan of Swati Snacks' Dahi Batat Puri. Apple CEO Tim Cook's vada pav from Swati Snacks was even in the news in the international media. Swati Snacks offers a wide range of traditional dishes for food lovers. After the death of Meenakshi Jhaveri, who started the establishment in 1979, her daughter Asha took over the restaurant. Swati Snacks was also listed in the list of the fifty best restaurants in Asia.
