A family recipe for start-up success

“We turned our house into a spice laboratory, converting a room into an enormous spice larder” – how a mother and son duo went from the family kitchen table to stocking their products across the world.

Spice Kitchen is a shining example of how a simple, heartfelt idea can grow into a thriving business rooted in culture, family, and community. Founded in 2012 by mother-and-son duo Shashi and Sanjay Aggarwal, the business began as a side project and has since become a celebrated brand known for its artisan spice tins, blends, and thoughtful gifts.

The idea was born on Christmas Day. “Mum had been retired for a couple of years and was wondering what to do with herself,” Sanjay recalls. “We were sitting around the table and I took a picture of her spice tin, put it on eBay, and 24 hours later we’d made our first sale”

What started as a way to keep Shashi busy quickly turned into something much bigger.

Their first product—the Indian Spice Tin—was packed with essential spices and Shashi’s now award-winning garam masala. “The idea that became Spice Kitchen was born as mum and I chatted about how nice it would be to create a spice-filled masala dabba for people to gift to their food-loving family and friends,” Sanjay explains 

From the beginning, the business was infused with authenticity and care. Shashi hand-blended the spices and sewed sari wraps for the tins using recycled silk. “Food has always been at the heart of my life, serving as a means of expressing love to my family,” she says. “It is the very same dining table where my son and I conceived the idea for our family business” 

She’s always conscious of hiring people who might struggle to find work elsewhere

Sanjay Aggarwal

Starting out, they sold at local markets in Altrincham, often in freezing conditions, and gradually expanded to events like the BBC Good Food Show. Their big break came when they were invited to cook for the CEO of eBay and his team. From there, the business took off, winning awards such as Gift of the Year and Great Taste Awards for their garam masala.

Despite the rapid growth, the business has remained grounded in its values. Shashi now leads a team of seamstresses, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, who help create the sari wraps. “She’s always conscious of hiring people who might struggle to find work elsewhere,” Sanjay notes.

Today, Spice Kitchen processes dozens of orders daily and ships to customers around the world. Their story is a testament to the power of combining tradition, innovation, and a deep sense of purpose. From a single eBay listing to a globally recognised brand, Spice Kitchen continues to inspire entrepreneurs with its warmth, resilience, and flavourful legacy.