#EntrepreneurMonth: MasterChef SA winner Kamini Pather launches healthy food-delivery service

The initial launch caused some confusion and general backlash from the vegan community as the concept was promoted as plant-based via various platforms, however, chicken and fish meals are also offered. Pather quickly and graciously rectified this misconception and hopes to slowly introduce consumers to a more plant-based diet, we chat to her for #EntrepreneurMonth to find out more.

What inspired you to start your plant-based food delivery service?

It isn’t a plant-based service, but there are plant-based menu items. The idea for FÜDY came about through a real personal need. I wanted a food delivery service that catered to my want for healthy, convenient meals. Since winning MasterChef, my food experiences were insanely indulgent. My life changed when I was invited to be one of the ambassadors for the Cape Town Marathon three years ago. It was when I started training to run a full marathon, 42.2km, that my need from my food changed. I have run two marathons since and many half marathons, including the Berlin Half, so my diet has stayed with the macronutrient focus.

Why the name FÜDY?

This brand was made for people who understand subtle flavours in food, which would make them a “foodie”. It’s a play on that word.

There seems to be some confusion around the marketing of the brand, why state that it is plant-based if meat is still offered, it just seems a bit misleading. 

The confusion lay in the phrasing and usage of the term “plant-based”. This menu was designed with plant-based eaters in mind because I see that plant-based eaters get a raw meal with food that lacks real flavour and innovation. The bases, sauces, and vegetables are all 100% plant-based but a person can change that direction when choosing a protein. There are five proteins, two of which are animal-proteins - free range chicken and sustainably sourced trout are the animal-proteins with the others being black beans and quinoa falafels, chickpea and nigella seed smash and crispy tofu.

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Signature dish #3 is REEEEALLY going to get you percolating. This sauce is a heady blend of homemade cashew nut cream, portobello mushrooms, roasted garlic and fresh thyme. Mark my words, THIS is a show stopper. Add some nutty couscous, wilted baby spinach and baked butternut; and el presto - happiness in your face. ⠀ ⠀ #eatclean #farmfresh #eatlocal #fudydelivery

A post shared by Chef-Inspired Eatery (@fudydelivery) on Oct 30, 2018 at 11:03pm PDT

While this is a major global trend, the trend hasn’t reached mass levels here in SA. This is service is also personal and I am not vegan. I eat a 70-80% plant-based diet but I do eat locally and consciously sourced animal-based proteins.

How do you source your suppliers and ingredients?

I work closely with suppliers who are leaders within their categories - fresh produce, free range chicken and sustainably sourced fish. They are mindful about how their produce is farmed; a mindfulness that is passed onto FÜDY.

Can you explain how the ghost kitchen concept will work?

The ghost kitchen/dark kitchen/digital kitchen is a concept that is big internationally and refers to a kitchen which only caters for delivery service. There are multiple brands that share the space, overheads and staff. Without the retail aspect of the business, it means that the operating costs are much lower. For someone like me, it means that the start capital needed to start my business were more attainable.

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Füdy was designed as my way to service a community of healthy eaters who are toying with the idea of a plant-based lifestyle but ultimately, be as inclusive of as many dietary choices as possible, within reason. I have toiled with the comments from the previous post and thank the community for drawing my attention to the meaning of “plant-based”. The confusion lay in that Füdy has many plant-based offerings but isn’t a plant-based service. I apologise to anyone who posted the articles to their vegan groups, the headlines were misleading without delving into the full article. Not I, nor Füdy, will be using the term plant-based in such a flippant manner going forward. The previous post mentions “gym bunnies” and animal protein. I am aware that using animal protein is not the only way to increase muscle mass. The comment was to address that even still, there are many people who use animal-based proteins. I believe that the plant-derived proteins (black bean and quinoa bombs, crispy tofu or the chickpea and Nigella seed smash) on the FüDY menu give people alternate ideas for protein sources. 95% of the FüDY menu is plant-based, except for the free range chicken and sustainably sourced trout. The bases, the vegetables and all the sauces adhere to strict vegan principles - they do not use any animal by-product. I acknowledge that plant-based diners get a raw deal with limited menu options and dishes that simply don’t deliver on flavour. Füdy was designed to service a market of vegetable-friendly minds who are not 100% plant-based - people like me. My journey has been about being mindful about the provenance of my food - whether it is animal or plant based; as well as to mindfully reduce the amount of animal produce in my diet. That is what I offer with Füdy. We go live tomorrow with something on this menu for everyone. Whether the vegan Alfredo sauce, zoodles, brinjal and charred cucumber with the planet-protein (chickpea and Nigella seed smash) or animal protein (seared trout) - each component is designed to be mindful, flavourful and clean. My Best, @kaminipather

A post shared by Chef-Inspired Eatery (@fudydelivery) on Oct 31, 2018 at 11:45am PDT

International is a still long while away. The idea is to set up multiple hubs in SA. Once we have the national market serviced adequately, we can start to think about expanding into other developing nations where this type of service isn’t available just yet.

How do you personally and professionally live a more eco-conscious way of life?

Personally, I try to walk around Cape Town as much as possible and not use my car. My building separates our garbage making it easier to recycle. I save water by keeping my showers to a minimum and collecting the water while the water temperature is heating up. I always have a reusable carrier bag for my grocery shopping.