Ever get tired of chopping up a million ingredients every day in order to get dinner on the table for your family? Do you love South Asian cuisine but find the cooking process intimidating? This is what inspired Amanda Luthra to found her company Chilly Paste Co.
During the pandemic, Amanda sought a way to prepare South Asian food quickly and easily for her young children without sacrificing flavour or nutrition. That is when she decided to launch Chilly Paste Co., a brand focused on making handmade, flavourful spice blends in the form of pastes, sauces and powdered spices.
What sets Chilly Paste Co. apart from other products on the market is the use of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, with no artificial preservatives. This ensures that the flavours remain authentic, and the nutritional value is preserved. The sauces are refrigerated to reduce microbial growth and have a shelf life of four months, all while using only natural preservatives. Chilly Paste Co. products are available for purchase online, as well as at local markets and festivals.
"I started sharing my sauces with friends and family, and they said it tasted just like my home-cooked meals"
- Amanda Luthra
A few of the best sellers include Makhan Masala, a butter chicken sauce, Bhuna Masala, a roasted curry paste, and 12 spice Chai Masala to make a delicious tea.
Philanthropy is also close to Amanda's heart as she gives a percentage of sales back to charities supporting people in war-torn countries and food banks.
"I also give cooking classes within the community to show how easy it is to make South Asian food. I believe sharing is caring," said Amanda Luthra.
As Amanda refined her products and expanded her reach, she realized the importance of understanding the logistics of bringing her sauces to market. This led her to GS1 Canada and she became a subscriber through their Trade Readiness Program.
"I didn't realize GS1 Canada is much more than barcodes. There were so many courses developed by GS1 Canada and it is a great tool for me. I worked with GS1 Canada employees Linda and Alain and they were very helpful in helping me understand how barcodes work, how many barcodes I should choose...which helped me to save money. People make the business, and I think that is so important when you are dealing with anyone," said Amanda Luthra.
Reflecting on her experience, Amanda encourages other entrepreneurs to seek out resources early on and learn the ins-and-outs of scaling a business. "It's all about planning ahead and asking the right questions," she advises.
"Having a business plan when you are trying to bring your products to market definitely will help...When you are working with GS1 Canada and you want to commercialize your products, you need to start speaking with them early on in the process. Understanding the differences is important," said Amanda Luthra.
Looking ahead, Amanda plans to expand her business by selling on Amazon and offering nationwide delivery.
"My goal is to make people's lives easier. What I love about being an entrepreneur is listening to people's asks and making things better for them. I think people are moving towards fast foods, pre-packaged foods and you can't eat healthy or feel good afterwards. Part of my mission is to change that and this is why this business is so important to me," said Amanda Luthra.
Keep an eye out for Chilly Paste Co., coming soon to Breakfast Television, where they'll showcase their amazing products!
To shop products and learn more about Chilly Paste Co., visit their Instagram account @chillypasteco (opens in a new window) or their website Chilly Paste - Chilly Paste Co. Inc. (opens in a new window)