Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month
This month, Be Inclusive Hospitality proudly celebrates South Asian Heritage Month (17 July—18 August). Join us as we highlight some incredible South Asians within our community, celebrating their stories and recognising their accomplishments.
Lorna Nanda Gangotra – Lorna’s Indian Kitchen Ltd
Lorna escaped the corporate world of Telecoms and mobile Internet over a decade ago and turned her passion for food into a business. She is a self-taught, award-winning chef, founder, and owner of Lorna’s Indian Kitchen (LIK) and Cookery School, specialising in her rich heritage of North Indian/Punjabi cuisine. Her ethos is “from farm to plate,” cooking with seasonal, locally sourced, and free-range produce. She has won numerous Great Taste awards and is a Great Taste Producer with the Guild of Fine Food for her award-winning range of curries and ambient products.
More recently, Lorna has upscaled and grown the business with the addition of new commercial premises comprising a Production Kitchen, Cookery School, and Chef’s Table. In addition, Lorna won the launch series of ‘The Big Family Cooking Showdown’ on the BBC by showcasing ‘Ghar ka khana’, aka real, home-style Indian food. The show is now extending its reach to a global audience on Netflix. @LornaNandaGangotra
Paramjit and Bruce Nagra – Crazy Gin
Crazy Gin, created by Paramjit and Bruce Nagra and launched by Harvey Nichols in 2016. As proud first-generation British Indians with roots in Punjab, we honour our heritage by creating drinks celebrating our South Asian diversity. Our clear Lassi gin and Punjabi chai gin blend British and Indian botanicals, setting new standards in the industry.
Their passion for innovation drives them to push boundaries with advanced distillation techniques. Using vacuum distillation, they extract delicate flavours at lower temperatures, preserving the integrity of the botanicals. Fat-washing infuses rich, complex flavours, giving their spirits a smoother, richer, and more luxurious mouthfeel. Crazy Gins’ mission is to craft unforgettable drinks that connect people through unique flavours and shared experiences. @teamcrazyco
Natasha Gupta – Blue Feather Designs
Blue Feather Designs was born after Natasha saw a gap in the market for sustainable design over ten years ago. Natasha loves food, and the hospitality industry brings her joy that she wants to create Happy Spaces for Happy People!
Being of South Asian heritage in the hospitality design industry has presented challenges for her. It is an honour for her to be part of the Be Inclusive Hospitality community, allowing her to give back and share her industry knowledge. @the_happiness_designer
Alya Lilani – Elystan Street
Alya Lilani is a seasoned people and culture expert with a decade of international experience in the media and hospitality. She began in hospitality in France and New Zealand, then moved to the UK and Ireland in 2017, focusing on learning, culture, and leadership. In 2020, Alya led News UK’s Diversity in Leadership initiative, promoting gender and ethnic diversity. She later developed News Corp Australia’s first diversity and inclusion programme, implementing DE&I best practices.
Her achievements include launching internal campaigns, creating policies, and facilitating DE&I workshops. Alya also spearheaded the creation of 11 employee networks. In 2023, she returned to hospitality as a Sommelier at Elystan Street and now champions DE&I in hospitality. Alya freelances as a Culture and Engagement Consultant, helping organisations with DE&I journeys and creating tailored inclusion solutions. @aalilani
Jaspreet Ward – State Of Rum
Jaspreet Ward is the proud director of State of Rum Ltd, which she launched in November 2023. As a single mum and entrepreneur, independently starting this small business has been an incredible journey. Drawing from her Punjabi Indian heritage, she created the signature Chai rum inspired by her grandma’s chai recipe.
State of Rum Ltd is more than just a business—it’s a vibrant celebration of her roots and a testament to innovation. Despite the challenges, the brand is already gaining recognition for its distinctive blend of traditional flavours and modern craftsmanship. Each bottle of Chai rum not only offers a taste of home but also embodies the rich warmth of authentic chai. @stateofrum
During South Asian Heritage Month, we proudly celebrate the inspiring contributions of our dedicated and culturally rich South Asian community.
To meet more founders within the Be Inclusive Hospitality community read our blog following our recent visit to Imbibe Live.