26-year-old Diabetic Innovator Harsh Kedia Takes Culinary World by Storm with Two Unique Ventures
- Posted on October 25, 2023
- Business
- By Arijit Dutta
- 290 Views
Harsh Kedia, a 26-year-old former Masterchef contestant, is rewriting the rules for diabetics in India. Diagnosed with type 1.5 diabetes at the age of 14, he embarked on a mission to redefine his relationship with food.
Harsh Kedia, a 26-year-old former Masterchef contestant, is
rewriting the rules for diabetics in India. Diagnosed with type 1.5 diabetes at
the age of 14, he embarked on a mission to redefine his relationship with food.
Kedia's journey started with a determination to create
dishes that not only satisfied his taste buds but also adhered to the stringent
dietary restrictions imposed by diabetes. Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults
(LADA), commonly known as 1.5 diabetes, combines traits of both type 1 and type
2 diabetes and cannot be reversed.
His love for food began at the tender age of 8, fueled by
the curiosity of watching a friend cook. This ignited his passion for cooking,
leading him on a culinary adventure.
In 2013, at the age of 19, Kedia founded "A Diabetic
Chef." The company specializes in producing and selling sugar-free
confectionery, including chocolates and spreads. In 2023, he took another bold
step by opening "Conscious Mithaiwala Sugarless Halwai," a shop
offering traditional Indian sweets and confectionery that are diabetes-friendly.
Kedia's journey was driven by necessity, as he needed to
find suitable foods to manage his condition. He sought knowledge and
collaborated with experts, including the American Diabetes Federation and
diabetologists, to create his unique offerings.
The grand opening of "Conscious Mithaiwala Sugarless Halwai" occurred on Sunday, October 22, 2023, marking a significant milestone for Kedia. He anticipates substantial revenue generation from his physical store.
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While Kedia refrains from disclosing specific sales and
profit figures due to ongoing fundraising activities, he proudly claims a
remarkable 150% year-on-year growth for "A Diabetic Chef" since its
inception.
Before venturing into the world of entrepreneurship, Harsh
Kedia gained valuable experience at various renowned organizations, including
Foxy Moron, Le 15 Patisserie, Mooch Design Studio, House Of Kedi, and Brand And
Butter. His achievements include being a two-time recipient of Forbes India and
Asia's "30 under 30" accolades, as well as participating in Master
Chef India Season 8.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research's 2023
study, diabetes prevalence in India stands at 10.1 crores, shedding light on
the pressing need for innovative approaches like Kedia's to tackle this health
issue.