We had the good fortune of connecting with Madhavi Tandon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madhavi, how do you think about risk?
Looking back, I have always taken small risks and by that, I mean doing things unconventionally or doing unconventional things. There is always a price to pay for taking risks, but the rewards are so fulfilling in terms of personal growth and connections to your loved ones. Also, looking back, it allows me to say, yes, I tried it and know how to do it better next time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
By education and qualifications, I am a teacher and a professor. I have been teaching for over two decades now, either in schools or at universities. However, since the last couple of years, I have felt a desire to create something of my own that is different from my work. When I saw jars of ghee for sale in my local grocery store, something inspired me and I thought, ‘I have been making ghee for over 30 years, I know how to do this, let me start here.’ From ghee to meal kits to masalas, the journey has been fun and exhilarating. Chatting with customers at farmers markets and pop-ups gives me immediate information about questions they have and what they would like to see more or different in the products. I started the Maia Foods brand and recipe blog as a way to pass on our food heritage to my daughters and to document some of the emotions and events behind family recipes. I want my daughters and their future children to look at food and think of history, migration, pain, and pleasure that are contained in every ingredient and meal. We eat what we are, and our food habits are ingrained since birth, so it is important for them to know about our food history and why we eat the way we do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start with a drive to Red Rocks, Idledale, and Evergreen with lunch on the outdoor patio of Keys on the Green. Then another day would be spent discovering the treasures on Colfax Ave from the donut shops to ethnic groceries and Ethiopian cafes. Boulder, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park would be another day trip with stops in Lyons at the Barking Dog Cafe for coffee and a bite, lunch at downtown Estes Park and maybe a slice of pizza on the way back from Cosmo’s in Boulder. Another day would be spent in downtown Denver and walking along the 16th street Mall, Five Points and stopping for bites along the way. Riding bikes or scooters at Washington Park with a stroll on S. Pearl Street would also be on the cards with a stop at Kaos Pizza for beer and pizza or pasta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every action and every deed is always a team effort, even if you think ‘I did it,’ it is not true; there are so many people who have supported me along the way either by providing an opportunity or by sharing their own experiences, that what I am today is a culmination and ongoing effort of those around me. Definitely my family, especially my two daughters. They have always encouraged me to follow my heart or passion and counter my doubts with ‘so what,’ or ‘that’s not a big deal, we will figure it out.’

Website: www.maiafoods.com

Instagram: @maia_foods

Facebook: @maiafoods

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