Breeze meets brew: Women nurture hyperlocal dreams in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: From the steam of masala chai curling into the Someshwar breeze to the layered sweetness of tiramisu served by the lake at Gujjarakere, women are adding their own notes to Mangaluru's street-food rhythm — showing how even the smallest stalls can cradle big dreams.One of those notes rises each evening from Someshwar Beach, where a folding table with cakes, buns and a flask of hot masala chai draws passersby. Behind it is Chethana Rao of Cheth's Kitchen, who left a corporate job to do what she enjoys.
"I always loved cooking and doing something creative," she said. She never attended a formal cooking course, but her friend Vilma from Kodagu taught her the basics of baking and dessert preparation. Chethana now sells maska buns, cupcakes, masala chai and sprouts chaat at the beach. Within three months, her masala chai became her star item. "Many people now come here just for the chai," she said.Regular beach walkers encouraged her to add a healthier option, with some — including those managing diabetes — asking for a nutritious snack. She introduced sprouts chaat, which quickly gained popularity. "My dream is to own a food truck someday," she said.Her early days were filled with hesitation. Her sister and father initially stood beside her to boost her confidence. She now manages the stall herself. "My family was a big support, and my father drops and picks me up every day from our house to Someshwar Beach," she said. Each evening, she arrives with a folding table, a 4.5-litre flask of masala chai and boxes of cakes and buns. "The response on the first day amazed me and encouraged me to keep going," she said.At Gujjarakere, another woman is carving out a niche in the dessert industry. Sowmya N, originally from Davangere and now settled in Mangaluru, is a professional makeup artist catering to both bridal and non-bridal clients. Since November last year, she has been selling tiramisu under the brand name Mamma's from an ice box near the lake. What began as a weekend stall soon expanded to a daily setup as demand grew, especially among walkers with a sweet tooth."The concept is quite common in Bengaluru, but I did not see anything like this in Mangaluru. That's what made me try it here," she said. She now sells the dessert every evening and takes part in food festivals."The business is growing slowly, but we are building a dedicated customer base," she said. Her husband, Sheshachari BS, a medical representative, has been her biggest support.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !