The Sassy Mama

Mumbai-based restaurateur, chef, author, and second-time M&B cover mum, Rachel Goenka talks about the highs and lows of her subsequent pregnancy, and how she handled them with panache—and therapy

- Kriselle Fonseca

In the country’s ever-expanding food scene, Rachel Goenka is a force to be reckoned with. The 33-year-old is founder and CEO of The Chocolate Spoon Company, with renowned restaurants like The Sassy Spoon, House of Mandarin, Sassy Teaspoon, Baraza, Wicked China and Saffron by Sassy under its culinary umbrella. With her lip-smacking recipe book, Adventures with Mithai, Rachel bagged the Gourmand award for the best dessert and pastry book in the world. She was also named among one of the ‘30 Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in India.’ But beneath all the awards and accolades, Rachel Goenka is a mum about town, and together with hubby Karan, built her fabulous family of four. As we sit down for a tête-à-tête with the boss mama, she does not hold back as she describes the ups and downs of being a working mum, running her culinary empire, and setting an example on her own terms, with Kabir and Amalia.

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR!

“‘Let’s have another baby!’ said Karan, my husband. This was in May 2020, when the entire world was locked down in the middle of the first wave of the pandemic. My response was a flat-out NO! Not just because of COVID and the uncertainty it came with, but I just didn’t want to have another baby.