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Through their leadership, Radhika Khandelwal and Suchali Jain are proving that a woman’s place is wherever she chooses it to be—whether at the helm of a fine-dining restaurant or crafting the perfect loaf of sourdough.
Through their leadership, they are proving that a woman’s place is wherever she chooses it to be—whether at the helm of a fine-dining restaurant or crafting the perfect loaf of sourdough
For decades, the professional kitchen has been a space dictated by rigid hierarchies, long hours, and often, a heavily male-dominated culture. But across the country, a new wave of women-led culinary ventures is challenging these norms and reshaping the industry. Two such trailblazers, Radhika Khandelwal, founder, Fig & Maple, and Suchali Jain, founder, Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse, share their journeys of perseverance, passion, and breaking stereotypes in the food business.
Radhika Khandelwal: Creating a Kitchen Without Barriers
When Radhika Khandelwal first stepped into a professional kitchen 19 years ago in Melbourne, she wasn’t thinking about making history—she just wanted to cook. But as a young woman in an overwhelmingly male environment, she quickly realized that proving her worth would become an everyday challenge. “Kitchens are tough, hierarchical spaces where strength was measured in endurance, and authority wasn’t easily handed to women,” she recalls. The inequalities were evident, but for Radhika, equality wasn’t an option—it was a necessity.
After returning to India in 2013, she set out to create a culinary space that reflected her values: sustainability, creativity, and a deep respect for ingredients. This vision gave birth to Fig & Maple, a premium dining brand that thrives on seasonality and bold flavors. But building a brand in an industry where men have traditionally dictated the rules came with its own set of obstacles. Financial skepticism, outdated leadership expectations, and the challenge of commanding respect without conforming to conventional norms made the journey arduous. Yet, Radhika remained steadfast.
“I’ve never been interested in following the norm,” she says. “Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about clarity, resilience, and refusing to compromise on what truly matters.” Today, as she looks ahead to expansion and reinvention, she stands firm in the knowledge that she has built something unique and lasting. And as she puts it, she’s only getting started.
Suchali Jain: Finding Identity in Artisan Baking
For Suchali Jain, the journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t just about building a business—it was about establishing an identity. Growing up, she observed traditional gender roles where men were the breadwinners while women managed the home. “As a child, this really bothered me. I wasn’t comfortable with it, and I always wanted to break this barrier,” she shares.
Her love affair with artisan breads and baking began in 2017, and it was then that she realized she had found her calling. Naming her brand after herself was a conscious decision—one that symbolized her pursuit of independence and self-identity.
From the very start, Suchali was committed to authenticity, using only the highest quality ingredients and traditional baking techniques. Her guiding principle was simple: she would only sell products she would eat herself and feed her own family. But the road to success was not without hurdles.
Operating a bakery meant long nights, preparing fresh bread and croissants to be delivered each morning. This unconventional schedule often raised concerns for her safety, particularly from her family. “There was always a sense of insecurity in the minds of my parents, but I didn’t let that stop me,” she says.
What kept her going was her unyielding determination to succeed—not in spite of being a woman, but because she refused to let her gender define what she could or couldn’t do. Yet, one challenge persists: the lack of female talent in the industry. Many women hesitate to enter the field, whether due to societal perceptions or family restrictions.
“This is a myth I really wish to break,” she states. “I want to encourage more women to learn the craft of artisan baking and see it as a viable career.”
Paving the Way for the Future
Women like Radhika and Suchali are not just shaping successful businesses—they are redefining the very fabric of the culinary industry. Their journeys underscore the need for inclusive spaces where talent, regardless of gender, can thrive.
Through their leadership, they are proving that a woman’s place is wherever she chooses it to be—whether at the helm of a fine-dining restaurant or crafting the perfect loaf of sourdough. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that the future of food isn’t just about breaking bread—it’s about breaking barriers.
