In a world where convenience often compromises nutrition, Spice Up Foods, a Kolkata-based startup, is revolutionizing the ready-to-eat meal industry. Founded by Amit and Shalu Murarka, along with co-founder Madhu Goel, this innovative venture offers freeze-dried, preservative-free meals that capture the essence of home-cooked food. With over 15,000 meals served, they are bringing comfort and nutrition to travellers and expatriates alike.
The Challenge of Finding Comfort Food Abroad
For Indian travellers, particularly vegetarians, finding suitable food abroad is often a daunting task. Neha, a 38-year-old homemaker from Delhi, recounts her husband’s struggles with finding reliable vegetarian food during business trips. “He would often skip meals because there was nothing suitable to eat,” she recalls.
Long flights and unfamiliar cuisines often leave travellers craving a meal that feels like home. Traditional ready-to-eat meals, laden with preservatives and synthetic additives, are hard on the digestive system and pose health risks. This gap in the market prompted Amit and Shalu, passionate travellers themselves, to seek a solution.
The Birth of Spice Up Foods
During a trip to Switzerland in 2016, the couple discovered dehydrated food. “We saw someone travelling with a ready-to-eat soup packet. He simply added water and started eating. That was our lightbulb moment,” Amit recalls.
Motivated by this discovery, they began researching ways to combine convenience with nutrition. With Amit’s background as a chartered financial analyst and Shalu’s experience in cookery workshops, they laid the foundation for Spice Up Foods in 2018. The goal was simple yet ambitious: to create preservative-free, home-cooked meals that maintain taste and nutrition.
Freeze-Drying Technology: The Game-Changer
Unlike conventional dehydration, freeze-drying removes moisture without compromising food structure or nutritional value. “It’s the same technique used for astronauts, ensuring nutritious meals in space,” explains Amit.
The process involves freezing food at -40°C before placing it in a vacuum chamber where the ice sublimates, leaving a light, dry product. Rehydration is as simple as adding hot water. The dehydration temperature varies depending on the dish. “Chutneys are dried at lower temperatures than dal or rajma to maintain texture and taste,” Shalu adds.
The couple spent four years perfecting this technique, focusing initially on local deliveries. By 2024, they launched their website, offering pan-India delivery.
Custom-Built for Quality
Sourcing the right freeze-drying machine was another challenge. “We explored options in China but eventually customised a machine tailored to our needs,” Amit shares. Collaborating with multiple suppliers for key components, the couple ensured their machine preserved food quality without compromises.
Empowering Homemakers
A core aspect of Spice Up Foods is its collaboration with homemakers. “We started cooking from our kitchen, but scaling required more hands. That’s when we decided to involve home cooks,” says Amit.
Each meal is prepared using fresh, verified ingredients. “We provide home cooks with steel containers or plastic boxes for larger quantities,” Shalu explains. Once cooked, the food undergoes quality checks before freeze-drying.
Currently, around 10 home cooks work with the startup, enjoying flexible hours and fair income. For homemakers like Alka, this opportunity has been life-changing. “For the first time, I could stand on my own feet. It gave me financial independence and a sense of purpose,” she shares.
Beyond Just Business
Spice Up Foods offers two primary services. The first is recipe-driven meals where home cooks follow detailed recipes for consistency. “We provide measurement beakers and step-by-step instructions to ensure the right taste,” says Shalu.
The second service caters to families wanting to send homemade meals to children studying abroad. “We freeze-dry meals sent by customers so their children can enjoy a taste of home,” Amit explains.
Both services adhere to strict quality standards. Ingredients are verified for freshness, and meals are prepared in small batches to maintain authenticity. “We don’t use machinery in food preparation. It’s all done by hand,” Shalu adds.
A Taste of Home, Anywhere
With FSSAI certification, Spice Up Foods assures customers of the highest quality standards. Their dedication to providing nutritious, home-cooked meals has made a significant impact, serving over 15,000 meals across India and internationally.
Spice Up Foods is not just about ready-to-eat meals; it’s about bringing comfort, nutrition, and a piece of home to those miles away. Whether it’s for travellers, students abroad, or professionals on the go, this startup is redefining the way we perceive ready-to-eat food—with love, care, and a dash of innovation.