Priya Lakhani wins 'Enterprising Young Brit' Award 2009 for 'Masala Masala'
19 November 2009

27-year old former laywer Priya Lakhani has scooped the 'Enterprising Young Brits' Award 2009 for her range of authentic Indian cooking sauces marketed under the 'Masala Masala' brand. Priya made the change from lawyer to entrepreneur last year, and in this short time has already managed to secure deals with premium department stores and delis in 30 countries. Masala Masala creates authentic Indian cooking sauces – the only fresh, non-Anglicised Indian sauces on the chilled shelf. Priya is inspired by her family; first generation Indians who immigrated to the UK with little money, and have gone on to establish successful businesses.

Priya left her job as an editorial lawyer at Newsquest in 2008 to begin her journey to becoming a prosperous young entrepreneur by setting-up her new company Masala Masala. Her idea also saw her pick-up the 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award from the Chancellor, Alistair Darling in April 2009. Priya was brought up on fresh, authentic, home cooked Indian cuisine and learnt to cook from her parents Praful and Dipa.

She spotted a gap in the market when she could not find a fresh and truly authentic, non-anglicised, Indian sauce on the supermarket shelf. The rate of growth for Masala Masala has been incredible, with Waitrose and Ocado.com joining Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Budgens, Nisa and many more as stockists of the fresh Indian sauces including Shahi, Karahi and Daal. The sauces are gluten and wheat free and vegetarian. Waitrose even introduced the new brand with a nationwide tasting day.

In addition to being successful, Priya created the charitable arm of her business, The Masala Masala Project. Her care and generosity means that for every pot of Masala Masala sauce that she sells, a homeless person in India is fed a hot meal. “I dream of building hospital clinics in India in areas where underprivileged people do not currently have access to healthcare. I also want to educate street children there. This dream isn’t far away. We have already served approximately 6,000 hot meals and plans for the first hospital clinic are only 15 months away. If the business continues to grow the way it has this could be a lot sooner.”

Priya and her Mother, Dipa, will also be publishing a cookbook this year and launching an exclusive cookery series. For further information visit www.masalamasala.co.uk