“In My Own Words” — Breaking Gender Stereotypes to Become a Professional Hotel Chef

My name is Pooja Kaushal, wife of Kundan Kaushal, and I am a resident of the vibrant city of Indore. There are four members in my family. After marriage, managing family tasks and childcare meant that entering a standard job seemed out of reach. In fact, my family often mentioned that since my husband had a stable job, there was absolutely no reason for me to work outside. They expected me to remain within the domestic sphere, manage household chores, and take care of the children.

Challenging the Prescribed Boundaries

To conform to these socially defined expectations—which typically limit women's independent ventures to small home tailoring or running beauty parlors—I learned stitching and opened my own boutique. Yet, deep down, I harbored a strong urge to break away from these pre-determined paths and build a unique professional identity of my own.

The turning point arrived when a close friend informed me about the free culinary development programs being conducted in Indore by Aparajita Mahila Sangh. With her active guidance, I met Rupali Didi, a dedicated representative from the organization who was actively reaching out to women and young girls across the region to offer technical skill opportunities.

Comprehensive Professional Hospitality Training

Rupali Didi explained the broad scope of the vocational courses managed under the "Safe Tourist Destinations for Women" project—a signature initiative of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. The detailed curriculum instantly resonated with my ambitions. I enthusiastically submitted my application along with the required identification documents.

Entering the professional cooking track proved to be an eye-opening journey. The rigorous syllabus taught me more than just advanced culinary preparation; it covered premium presentation aesthetics, hospitality guidelines, expert client communication protocols, and critical institutional women's safety measures.

Of course, balancing heavy household duties alongside childcare obligations during the active training was my greatest hurdle. However, backed by absolute determination and gradual adjustment from my husband, I successfully balanced both worlds without compromising my goals.

A Breakthrough Career at the Marriott Hotel

My hard work yielded immediate results upon completion. I secured a prestigious job as a professional cook at the world-renowned **Marriott Hotel Indore**, commanding an exceptional starting salary of **₹25,000 per month**. To unlock such an outstanding breakthrough right in my first job was an incredible milestone.

Leveraging this momentum, I simultaneously launched my own home-based cloud kitchen business. This professional expansion has earned me immense social recognition, corporate respect, and complete financial self-reliance.

Gaining an Independent Voice and Future Horizons

This journey has unlocked beautiful structural changes within my family. Growing up, my parents always included me in crucial household choices. However, after my marriage, I initially lost that decision-making autonomy within my matrimonial home. Today, that reality has entirely reversed—my in-laws actively consult me on family matters and give genuine weight to my perspective.

I am reinvesting my active revenue directly back into my entrepreneurial operations. I am fiercely working toward my long-term vision: establishing a standalone restaurant, a commercial bakery, and an upscale boutique integration. Marking my very first major milestones, I have already purchased a dedicated commercial transport vehicle for **₹80,000** and a premium hospitality OTG oven for **₹45,000** out of my own earnings.

Moving forward, I aim to climb higher in the culinary industry and stand as an unwavering example for other women. When a woman is provided with equal structural access and answers it with sheer willpower, no dream is beyond her grasp.

I express my deepest, most sincere gratitude to Aparajita Mahila Sangh. They didn't just share an opportunity—they provided the roadmap to turn my highest aspirations into concrete, proud realities.