We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rukmani Srinivasan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rukmani thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

One of our top priorities is the quality of ingredients we use, especially the oils in our kitchen and the additives we avoid—like artificial food dyes. We completely steer clear of industrial seed oils, even though it adds to our costs, because our mission is to serve genuinely healthy food. While our dishes may not have the brightest reds or greens, we make no compromises on flavor.
At our core, we serve food that is simply homey, deeply rooted in tradition, and crafted with care—just like the meals we grew up eating. Every dish reflects the warmth of time-honored recipes, made with wholesome ingredients and cooked with love. We firmly believe that great-tasting food can also be nourishing, and we’re here to debunk the myth that healthy food has to be boring!
What makes it all truly worthwhile is hearing from our customers. So many have told us how much they love eating here because our food feels good on their gut. Parents especially share their joy in feeding their children meals they can trust—knowing there’s nothing in it that could cause harm. And when countless folks tell us, “This tastes like home,” it means the world to us.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an engineer turned restaurateur who left the IT industry to follow my passion for making and serving delicious, healthy food. What started as a cloud kitchen evolved into something bigger—a dream realized with my friend Purnima, as we built our 100% women-owned businesses, Saapaaduu and Once Upon a Dosa.
At Saapaaduu and Once Upon a Dosa, we are committed to creating food that is both deeply rooted in tradition and nourishing for the body. We take pride in serving homey, flavorful meals made with clean, high-quality ingredients—no industrial seed oils, artificial food dyes, or unnecessary additives. While our dishes may not have the artificially bright reds and greens of processed foods, we pour everything into ensuring that every bite is packed with rich, authentic flavors.
Through Saapaaduu, we offer traditional South Indian meals and unique dining experiences like community-style vazhai ilai saapaaduu (banana leaf meals), Kari Virundhu and Sadhya feasts. At Once Upon a Dosa, we bring a fresh take to the humble dosa, offering both classic and fusion-inspired creations. We also cater for all kinds of events, from intimate private gatherings to large weddings and corporate celebrations, with live dosa stations, community-style traditional meals, fusion tacos, chaat stations and more.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to both our customers and our team. Just as we prioritize our guests’ health and well-being, we extend the same care to our employees. We believe that a happy, creative, and supportive workplace leads to better food and better experiences for everyone. Our restaurant is built on the philosophy that both our customers and our team are at the heart of everything we do.
Ultimately, our mission is simple: to serve food that nourishes both the body and the soul, to foster a work environment that inspires joy and creativity, and to create a space where people can truly enjoy what they eat without compromise. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built, and we’re grateful for every person—whether customer or team member—who has been part of this journey with us.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

As a relatively new small business in a new industry personally, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of community connection and the incredible support of friends. Word of mouth has been our biggest asset—especially when it comes from people who genuinely believe in what we’re building. Friends recommending us to others, tagging us on social media, and even finding catering or event opportunities, pushing us to do things we’ve not tried etc, have played a huge role in helping us grow.
In addition, we’ve focused on delivering food with integrity—clean ingredients, no MSG or artificial dyes—and creating memorable experiences rooted in culture and hospitality. Whether it’s an Onam Sadhya or a Mother’s day meal, we try to make it personal. Last year for Mother’s day we made our mothers’ signature dishes with their names proudly featured. People connect with stories, and when your friends help tell that story for you, it becomes even more powerful.

Any advice for managing a team?

As a new entrepreneur in the restaurant industry, I’ve learned that team morale comes from creating a culture where people feel valued, respected, and part of something meaningful. My approach has been to lead by example, whether it’s how I treat our guests or how I handle stressful moments. When your team sees that you’re in it with them—not just giving orders—it builds trust.
Open communication is key. I make it a point to listen, involve them in decisions where possible, and acknowledge their contributions regularly. Even small celebrations—like calling out great service during a busy shift or sharing a kind customer review—can go a long way.
I also believe in creating a space where people feel safe owning up to mistakes. In our kitchen, we don’t harp on errors—we focus on learning from them. That way, team members don’t hide problems; they talk about them, fix them, and grow. It builds a culture of accountability without fear.
And something I consider non-negotiable is paying people on time. It may sound basic, but it signals respect and reliability—and that goes a long way in building trust. At the end of the day, a supported and motivated team leads to a better experience for every guest who walks through our doors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saapaaduu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saapaaduu_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saapaaduu
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/saapaaduu
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/saapaaduu