When she moved to California after her marriage in 2013, she brought with her a bag full of culinary creativity, the love for food, and the skill to prepare authentic South Indian dishes. Settling into the local Indian immigrant community, she quickly realized that homemade food was the way to their hearts
Shivaranjini, a passionate cook from Karnataka, is living her American Dream by bringing the taste of authentic Indian cuisine to the Bay Area in the US. Despite not being a STEM professional with a US work visa, her love for cooking has become the key to unlocking a happy life thousands of miles away from her homeland.
Born in a family of cooks in Davanagere, Karnataka, Shivaranjini grew up learning the art of cooking as a labor of love. When she moved to California after her marriage in 2013, she brought with her a bag full of culinary creativity, the love for food, and the skill to prepare authentic South Indian dishes. Settling into the local Indian immigrant community, she quickly realized that homemade food was the way to their hearts.
Her belief in the magic of authentic home-style food stemmed from her family’s restaurant, Hotel Sharabheshwara, known for serving regional delicacies with a perfect balance of flavors. The restaurant, a temple for her father, instilled in her a mantra of “no compromise on quality.” Growing up, she watched her mother create wonders with hand-ground spices, adhering to strict quality checklists, and ensuring hygienic practices.
In early 2020, Shivaranjini turned her passion into a successful business venture by starting “Suggi Oota,” a sought-after Indian catering service in California. The name “Suggi Oota” means ‘feast’ in Kannada, paying homage to her roots. The kitchen quickly gained popularity, capable of serving various north and south Indian thalis to an average of 100 guests daily.
Her journey began when she cooked an authentic South Indian feast for her son’s first birthday celebration in the Bay Area. Encouraged by the guests’ compliments and inquiries about her cooking skills, she decided to offer her services to those craving pure south and north Indian meals on various occasions.
Her journey from a simple middle-class Indian woman to a successful businesswoman in the US serves as an inspiration, especially to those on H4 visas. Her message to everyone is simple: “If you have a dream and show up for it, there is nothing that can stop it from happening.” With growing demand and love for her food, she is now aiming to serve one million orders, continuing to keep the Indian cuisine alive and cherished in the Bay Area
Starting with small orders from neighbors and friends and networking with professional caterers, her name soon spread through word of mouth. With her husband’s support, she obtained the necessary permits to run her commercial kitchen legally. Suggi Oota became the talk of the town, and Shivaranjini’s love for food and cooking became her USP.
One of the unique selling points of Suggi Oota’s thalis is the use of millet and other immunity-boosting ingredients in her recipes. Whether it’s a traditional south Indian dish or a specialty from the north, Shivaranjini can cook it to perfection.
Her journey from a simple middle-class Indian woman to a successful businesswoman in the US serves as an inspiration, especially to those on H4 visas. Her message to everyone is simple: “If you have a dream and show up for it, there is nothing that can stop it from happening.” With growing demand and love for her food, she is now aiming to serve one million orders, continuing to keep the Indian cuisine alive and cherished in the Bay Area.
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