Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Seema Shenoy, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur with an innovative cookware startup called Chef Avenue.
Hi, Please tell us about what it is that you do.
I am currently working on the launch of our first product, Omnipan™, on Kickstarter. We will be going live on Kickstarter on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Omnipan is a line of cookware for busy Millennials.
Can you please tell us more about your journey?
I grew up in rural India. My dad was a doctor who had founded and built the local hospital. My mom gave her unconditional strength and support to my family and loved cooking for anyone at our home. Being an innovator, my dad would come up with ingenious shortcuts to help save my mom time in the kitchen. Together, they were a dynamic pair.
Like my mom, my passion and true calling in life has been food, and I share the same desire as my parents: to bring joy and happiness through cooking.
This desire has brought me to where I am today, wanting to make cooking fun and more accessible for everyone.
Please tell us more about your company, Chef Avenue.
I am the Founder and CEO of Chef Avenue – a company melding culinary art and scientific thinking that will make its mark on the food industry.
Chef Avenue will have a line of innovative cookware with Omnipan as the first.
Omnipan is made from FDA-approved, chemical-free, and high-performance silicone material. This cookware is also durable, compact, and naturally nonstick. It can be used in the oven (withstands temperatures up to 450°F), microwave, and refrigerator. When done, toss it in the dishwasher to clean.
I am also the author of a corresponding cookbook with recipes specifically created for Omnipan. A free recipe app is in development, and many recipes are already on our website. I want to make the entire cooking process frictionless.
I came up with the idea for Omnipan by observing my son and his friends’ cooking and eating habits, and that created a clear picture of what Millennials need. I decided to develop multifunctional cookware that is time-saving and environmentally friendly and makes delicious, healthy food. I thought about using the same pan for prepping, cooking, eating from, storing leftovers, reheating in the microwave, and putting in the dishwasher to clean, eliminating unnecessary steps. I worked tirelessly on the design and finding the right material. After a lot of iterations and extensive testing, Omnipan was finally born.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
My journey with Chef Avenue has been long and tedious. And so many times, I just wanted to give up. But what kept me going was the fact that it has been my life’s dream to have my own company that produces cookware and food. So when things got tough, I kept reminding myself of my dream. That helped me stay on track.
Before starting Chef Avenue, I have had experience starting a company from scratch, building sustainable products, and successfully running that company. When I founded Chef Avenue, I knew early on what the expectations were and what would be involved in bringing up a company with cookware products. One of the first tasks I completed as CEO was putting together a team of individuals who were better at various things than me. Not trying to do everything by yourself is an important strategy.
What are some of your goals?
My most important goal has been to build a socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible company and products. My happiest moment will be when I see Omnipan in many people’s hands and see their own creations with Omnipan on social media.
Any message for our readers.
It has taken me a while to start doing what I enjoy most and what comes naturally to me.
Do not be discouraged when you are not where you want to be. Keep pursuing your dreams. With consistency and hard work, you will be able to bring your dreams to fruition. And whatever you do, pay attention to the social and environmental impact it has.
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you?
You can visit our website. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can also find all of our recipes and great pictures on Pinterest.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you the best for your journey ahead!