Meet Entrepreneur Shilpa Kotak

Meet the gorgeous and successful entrepreneur Shilpa Kotak, who recently joined our platform.

From an early age, Shilpa found herself drawn to the enchanting world of flavors and aromas. As the years passed, her passion for cooking only intensified, nurtured by the countless hours spent assisting her mother in the bustling kitchen. Not content with mere home-cooked delights, Shilpa delved deeper into her culinary odyssey by studying cooking as a subject, refining her skills with every lesson. Her family and friends were fortunate recipients of her creations, as she delighted in preparing traditional Indian delicacies for them. Shilpa’s dedication was unparalleled, and even during her school years, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the pursuit of culinary mastery. Fueled by an unwavering determination, she decided to formalize her passion by seeking education in the art of cooking. Thus, she set forth on a life- altering journey, eventually earning the esteemed title of Patisserie Chef from the renowned Southbank Institute of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

During Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu religious festival) Shilpa began making a special sweet called Pista Paan for her loved ones. The demand for her delectable treats quickly grew, leading to her first order being exported from Mumbai to Singapore in 1998. Shilpa’s popularity soared, culminating in her winning the esteemed Chef of the Year award in Sydney in 2016. She continued to create unique sweets and chocolates by request and expanded her influence by teaching cooking classes in different cities.

In 2010, Shilpa even made an appearance on a cooking show aired on Sony TV. Her journey as a Patisserie Chef has been a resounding success, nurturing a fulfilling boutique business.

Shilpa worked as a Patisserie Chef at a boutique business called Pattison’s Patisserie in Sydney, where she gained valuable experience and expertise in commercial cooking for three years. In 2016, she embarked on her own culinary journey by starting Shilpa’s Veg Delectable, a venture dedicated to sharing her love for vegetarian cooking and creating unique, flavorful dishes for various events in Sydney.

With over 25 years of experience, Shilpa has successfully catered to more than 100 events, earning widespread appreciation for her delicious food. This success paved the way for the establishment of her own brand, Shilpa Kotak,
epitomizing her culinary mastery and unwavering commitment to delivering extraordinary gastronomic experiences.

In 2018, Shilpa expanded her business by venturing into the gifting industry, specializing in crafting distinctive hampers for various Indian occasions, ranging from Raksha Bandhan to Diwali. These gift hampers are meticulously tailored to match the specific event, cater to customer preferences, and accommodate various budget ranges. Thus, the birth of her new brand, Shilpa’s Toukree. These thoughtfully curated hampers encompass her homemade sweets, along with other gift items crafted by women entrepreneurs from underprivileged backgrounds in Indian villages. Notably in 2021, she produced 100 gift hampers exclusively for Commonwealth Bank, Australia’s largest bank, to celebrate Diwali.

Every year, Shilpa continues to bring joy to more than 500 customers within the Indian community residing in Australia through her delightful gift hampers.