A group of women from Anna Nagar have utilised their kitchen skills to bring in some extra income to the household. Among them are a deaf and mute girl and one paralysed below the hip. These women and were house maids before getting into the food business.
Sarika Vijay Benjamin is the one who made these women come together. “My tryst with baking started out of interest. People who tasted my food appreciated it and said I was as good as a professional. A family friend, who is in the catering business, tasted my food and encouraged me to bake for him for events and I agreed. During this time her cook and household pitched in to complete orders,” says Sarika.
This gave her the idea to start a business and employ women from the lower income group. “We have been doing this for four years now. It’s only since a year ago that we have started this company and it is called Benji’s. We have five women who work with us full-time apart from other helpers,” says Sarika, who along with her husband runs a company called Lighthouse Leadership Talent Management Pvt.Ltd and this initiative is part of the company’s CSR Project.
Though started in a small way, now they serve hundreds of people on a daily basis. “We started baking cakes during Christmas, but the business was limited to the festive time. We then approached schools which could give us a space to sell our products from. We serve three such schools. We also serve a corporate firm, where we supply snacks to all the employees,” she says.
Two of the staff are people with special needs. “We have a deaf-mute girl. Since it is difficult for her to go out and work, we have provided her with a job that she is comfortable with. Her sister is parlayed below the a\waist. Since she cannot move around, we send work to her place,” she says.
Sarika had to train the women in baking and making these West-inspired dishes. “Most of these women are dropouts, but extremely sharp. From the sight and aroma, they know if something is wrong with the dish. They knew cooking so it was easy for me to train them. As they are mothers, they make sure the food is made with love and care. and is hygienic,” she says.
Sarika adds that the women employed at the counter have basic education and are trained in using computers.
They receive a large order from MCC School in Chetpet, where they pack cake pieces for around 3,500 students. Sarika says she feels like a proud mother when she sees her staff do well.
“We had hired this lady, who had no experience and now she is doing all the marginal work. Every woman is now a value addition to the family’s income and they earn more than what they used to. Despite all the challenges and the various responsibilities at home, they come on time and work for long hours if required,” says Sarika.
She points out that funds are a major challenge.
“I started with nothing. Whatever we make, we put back in the business. If we do well, we get paid well. We know that and we work accordingly. We plan to expand and to hire more underprivileged women and help as many of them as possible,” says 37-year-old Sarika.
All these women are resident of Anna Nagar and the kitchen is located in the same area.
“I used to operate from my house at Gujji Road, but now we work from a kitchen which is close by,” she says.
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