Simran and Ash Gulati designed and cooked an incredibly flavoursome and unique Samosa Pie on Channel 7’s Plate of Origin in 2021. The business has leapt from strength to strength over the past few years.
A passion for eating and cooking encouraged the married couple to enter the competition, where the challenge was to take an Australian dish and add a cultural twist. Mr and Mrs Gulati took the humble Australian pie, but cooked it with special Indian flavours: samosa, butter chicken, keema lamb in three different sizes. Baked, not deep fried, hand-made with love.
Wanting to create a successful business from their culinary creation on TV, the Gulati family initially made the pies at home in their DA approved kitchen, marketing them on social media. Just a couple of years later, the pies are made in a commercial kitchen and in cafes across Sydney. A vendor purchases the pies frozen and is responsible for marketing and selling them.
“Simran has an incredible visibility and collection of contacts within the South Asian community, so the business’ success has been largely due to her visibility and influence,” Mr Gulati acknowledged.
Whilst the business has come leaps and bounds in such a short time, challenges face the couple regularly. At the moment, Mr Gulati acknowledges logistical issues with capturing a wider market.
Whilst Mr Gulati’s focus is largely on the business and his family, Mrs Gulati also has a thriving acting career that also requires her time.
“Once I get my daughter and son, Sunaina age 13 and Sidd age 10, to school, my day can properly start, and this includes acting, both work and study, going to modelling shoots, as well as my social media career,” Mrs Gulati said.
“Personally, I am blessed that because Ash takes the reins on the administration, I can focus on the marketing side of the business and my personal networks to increase sales, which is where I naturally shine. I also invest time in my own career as an actor and representative of the diaspora. It’s like a relay race that includes communication and respect between the couple.”
