Can idlis provide an annual turnover of Rs 500 cr?

Updated on September 2, at 6.10 pm

CHENNAI: Lessons learnt in his childhood have given Sarath Babu, an IIM graduate, the conviction to turn down a job offer of Rs 8.5 lakh from an IT firm and pursue a career in catering.

An MBA student from IIM Ahmedabad, he used to sell 'idlis' in his childhood to meet education expenses and support his family.

Speaking to reporters over phone from Ahmedabad, Sarath said his mother, a 'mid-day meal' worker in a government school cooked idlis, which he and his two younger brothers used to sell. The children never let the circumstances hinder their studies.

Even today, Sarath's family makes around Rs 2,000 per month. All that would soon change, he hopes.

Sarath graduated from BITS, Pilani on a Tamil Nadu government scholarship. IIM, from where he obtained a management degree, too gave him a scholarship.

Confident that his experience in selling idlis would help him make a successful foray in the catering business, Sarath refused an offer of Rs 8.5 lakh from a reputed IT firm.

There is nothing more gratifying than to serve good food to people, he said, adding that he would rather open his own company and employ people, enabling them to support their families.

He hopes to record a "whopping" turnover of Rs 500 crore within a few years through his catering service, which he intends to start in Ahmedabad. His FoodKing Catering Services Pvt Ltd would cater to software and pharma companies, BPOs and MNCs. He is negotiating with some companies for contracts.