Asha Jhaveri, visionary Gujarati entrepreneur behind iconic Swati Snacks, passes away

From Ambanis to Tim Cook, this  iconic snack outlet has served celebs in India and abroad.

Asha Jhaveri, founder of Swati Snacks, who made authentic Gujarati vegetarian food – both traditional recipes and street food –  popular among the masses  passed away on June 14, aged 79. 

Jhaveri passed away early on Sunday morning at Breach Candy Hospital after a prolonged illness. She was cremated at Worli in the evening.

From the scrumptious Gujarati Panki Chatni, Patra, Handvo, Fada ni Khichdi to indulging Marathi cuisine’s Thali Peeth and Pitla, the restaurant became the pit stop for celebrities and NRIs in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Humble beginnings

‘Ashaben’ stepped into the world of business soon after the death of her mother, Minakshi Jhaveri, in 1979.

The restaurant business that started with humble beginnings has resulted in huge success through Ashaben’s vision and determination.

As per reports, Asha’s mother began from a small kitchen in Tardeo serving simple, flavourful snacks that were conventional Gujarati fare such as fafda or undhiyu. Her vision was simple — home food.

Asha tried to stick to the simplicity and quality of the product and Mumbai embraced it. Over the years, it became a string that linked Gujarat and Mumbai, apparently via Gujarati flavours.

Celebs’ favourite spot

Swati Snacks became a celebrity stop as from the richest man in Asia to Bollywood, everyone patronised her food.

In 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook was photographed having vada pav with Madhuri Dixit at Swati Snacks. Mukesh Ambani craves its food at least once every week when in town. Even artists like MF Husain and tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain were regulars at her restaurant.