The culinary journey
The Chef’s Story
Ashwini Kotwal’s culinary journey began in May 2008 after moving from Mumbai to Pune. Inspired by her love for food and a deep connection to her roots, she noticed a gap in the city’s offerings of traditional CKP cuisine. Together with her equally passionate partner, Mohit Kotwal, she founded Kotwal’s Kitchen to share the flavours she knew and loved.
CKP, short for Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu, has a culinary heritage shaped by regional influences from across India. Known for its delicate balance of flavours and spices, the cuisine celebrates fish, meat, and distinctive vegetable preparations. For Ashwini, it became the foundation of a business rooted in tradition.
Kotwal’s Kitchen initially grew entirely through word of mouth, earning a loyal clientele across Pune. As demand increased, the business expanded from a home kitchen to commercial units, then a warehouse, and eventually a factory near Pune. Throughout this growth, Ashwini personally developed and standardised hundreds of recipes, establishing the culinary foundation of an operation that is now professionally managed and supplies the hotel, restaurant, and catering sector.
In 2019, Ashwini and Mohit launched ZingySides under AshMo Ventures. Initially offering soups, salads, pickles, and accompaniments, it evolved during the lockdown into a complete menu of starters, mains, desserts, cakes, and cheesecakes. Spanning Indian, Chinese, Continental, and American cuisines, ZingySides gave Ashwini another outlet for her creativity.
For Ashwini, the most meaningful recognition comes from customers who become friends and return for occasions that matter—welcoming family from abroad, hosting special guests, or entertaining business associates. Their trust in her food’s quality, hygiene, and taste reflects the relationships she has built over the years.
Across both ventures, her passion remains the same: feeding people well and creating food they are proud to share.