The Village Chef Who Won the Internet—And Kept Her Traditions Intact

mage Source: Pune Pulse

Kaushalya Chaudhary’s journey from a modest village kitchen in Rajasthan to building a nationwide food empire is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and cultural pride. Born in Kuri village, Jodhpur, Kaushalya was raised in a farming family and married young, shelving her dream of becoming a doctor due to traditional expectations. Yet, she found a way to turn her love for cooking into a thriving business—without ever stepping outside her home’s boundaries.

Her story began in 2017 with a ₹7,500 smartphone and a simple idea: share traditional Rajasthani recipes on YouTube. Early videos in Hindi struggled to find an audience, but a switch to her native Marwari dialect—prompted by her grandmother’s advice—sparked an instant connection. Her channel, Sidhi Marwadi Kitchen, exploded in popularity, amassing over 1.6 million YouTube subscribers and nearly a million Instagram followers. Her viral recipe for Haldi ki Sabji became a nostalgic touchstone for viewers, especially NRIs and those from small towns longing for home-cooked flavors.

Kaushalya’s rise reached new heights when she became the only Rajasthani contestant to reach the Top 12 of MasterChef India 2023, impressing judges with dishes like Kachi Haldi ki Sabji and Kuga Roti. Inspired by relatives abroad who missed authentic Indian flavors, she launched Sidhi Marwadi—a clean food brand offering traditional spices and oils, now sold in 15 outlets across India and shipped worldwide.

Her business remains rooted in tradition: over 35 village women help produce and package goods using age-old methods, bringing income to their homes without breaking cultural norms. Kaushalya still lives in her village, balancing family, business, and mentoring other women to pursue financial independence.

Her story is proof that you don’t have to break with tradition to achieve something extraordinary—you can honor your roots and still reach for the stars.

Sources: My Pune Pulse, The Better India, Sangri Today