On Sunday, June 15, Asha Jhaveri passed away at the age of 79, leaving behind not just a thriving restaurant chain, but a culinary philosophy rooted in care, community, and consistency. She proved that you don’t need flashy menus or celebrity chefs to build a food empire- just heart, humility, and homemade recipes passed down with love.
When Minakshi Jhaveri began her snacks business from a modest kitchen in Tardeo, Mumbai, it wasn’t driven by entrepreneurial ambition but a mother’s determination to provide a secure future for her two children- Asha and Anand. With no background in business and no signature Gujarati dishes like fafda or undhiyu on the menu, Minakshi’s chaat and homestyle fare earned love for their simplicity, flavour, and warmth.
After Minakshi’s passing in 1979, her daughter Asha, still young but determined, stepped into her mother’s shoes. What she inherited wasn’t just a business, but a responsibility to uphold a culinary dream and take it further.
Asha with Minakshi
Preserving tradition, embracing change
Under Asha’s stewardship, Swati Snacks retained its soul- that welcoming, home-cooked charm-but she wasn’t afraid of change. In the year 2000, she undertook a major revamp of the original eatery, signalling a turning point for the brand. Collaborating with renowned architect Rahul Mehrotra, Asha gave the restaurant a contemporary facelift-with stainless-steel benches, bright yellow plates, and a minimalist aesthetic that balanced function with character.
A single laminated menu sheet brought efficiency to the dining experience, while the food continued to reflect the authenticity and warmth that defined her mother’s vision.
A menu for every palate
Swati Snacks today serves a thoughtful selection of 25 to 30 dishes daily- rooted in Gujarati tradition, yet inclusive of other regional tastes. Dishes like panki chutney, fada ni khichdi, and satpadi roti with gatta nu shak are signature offerings that blend nostalgia with comfort. Recipes, many of them created and perfected by Asha herself, are still guarded in the family kitchen.
“We are three generations of the Ambani family who cannot live without eating a meal from Swati at least once a week,” Mukesh Ambani shared in Asha's Jhaveri's book, A Culinary Journey.
A family that grows with the brand
Asha Jhaveri did not just run a restaurant-she nurtured a legacy. Alongside her brother Anand, she helped expand Swati Snacks beyond Mumbai, opening outlets in Ahmedabad as well. Now, the third generation, Anand’s son Shaan and Asha’s nephew Karan are actively taking the brand into the future, maintaining its identity while embracing evolving tastes as mentioned by The Better India.
As Mumbai remembers her, the comforting aroma from Swati Snacks’ kitchen continues to linger- a reminder that Asha’s spirit lives on, in every bite.
