From Shimla Hills to Sydney Shores: How a Fruit Scientist’s Daughter Built an Australian Food Brand. Read the story of Chandni Thakur's Career Journey from Shimla to Sydney.
SHIMLA: In a story of courage, passion and entrepreneurship, Shimla-born Chandni Thakur, daughter of renowned fruit scientist and former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vijay Singh Thakur, has carved out a niche for herself in Australia by turning her love for food into a thriving business venture.
Today, Chandni is the founder of Eat Ozzo, an Italian-inspired fast-casual food brand in Sydney that is attracting food lovers with its fresh, authentic and innovative offerings.
Her journey from a successful technology executive to a hospitality entrepreneur in a foreign country is inspiring young Indians, especially girls, to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
For Dr. Thakur, Chandni's success is also a cherished Father's Day moment that brings back memories from years ago at the Vice-Chancellor's residence of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.
On a bright Sunday, the VC House hosted an impressive gathering that included former Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh, former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, senior minister Dr. Dani Ram Sandil, vice-chancellors of Himachal Pradesh University, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Shoolini University and YSP University, besides former MLA Major Krishna Mohini of Solan.
What made the occasion memorable was that the entire lunch for these distinguished guests had been prepared by Chandni herself.
The guests appreciated the food and hospitality, but few would have imagined that the young woman cooking in the VC House kitchen would one day establish her own food brand on the other side of the world.
"We are a family of good cooks," recalls Dr. Thakur. Looking back today, he sees that lunch as an early glimpse of the passion and confidence that would later define Chandni's entrepreneurial journey.
Before entering the food business, Chandni built a successful career in Australia's technology sector, eventually becoming Head of Data and Digital Transformation at Lawpath.
Her role involved driving business strategy, managing systems and using data to improve performance. By most standards, it was a dream career with financial security and promising prospects.
Yet Chandni was searching for something more meaningful.
The turning point came during a month-long trip to Italy. While travelling through Naples, she discovered Panuozzo, a traditional wood-fired sandwich bread made from dough fermented for more than 48 hours. The bread was light, airy and flavourful, unlike anything she had experienced elsewhere.
"We were eating pizzas every day in Italy and never felt bloated. The bread was simple, authentic and incredibly satisfying. We couldn't find anything like it in Sydney," Chandni recalled in a recent interview.
Back in Australia, she began experimenting with the bread at home. Friends and family loved the results. What started as a culinary curiosity gradually evolved into a business idea.
Then came the boldest decision of her life.
Despite having no formal hospitality experience, Chandni walked away from her comfortable corporate career and invested her energy into building Eat Ozzo.
Located in Pyrmont, Sydney, overlooking the waterfront, Eat Ozzo combines traditional Italian baking techniques with contemporary global flavours.
At the heart of the venture is its signature Ozzo bread, fermented for more than 48 hours and baked fresh to order.
The menu blends Italian influences with Korean, Japanese and Indian-inspired fillings, creating a unique fast-casual dining experience.
Launching a restaurant business in a highly competitive market was never easy. Chandni had to learn everything from food preparation and customer service to staffing, operations and marketing.
"One moment I'm fixing a burst pipe, the next I'm making sandwiches, brewing coffee, planning marketing campaigns or developing new recipes," she says.
The entrepreneurial journey has demanded long hours, resilience and constant learning. Yet the same analytical mindset that helped her succeed in the technology sector has helped her build Eat Ozzo as a customer-focused, data-driven startup.
Just months after opening, the business is already expanding its menu and attracting a loyal following. Chandni's long-term ambition is to redefine fast food by making it healthier, fresher and more authentic without sacrificing convenience.
Her success story carries a special message for Himachal Pradesh and India.
As the daughter of one of India's most respected horticulture scientists, Chandni could easily have followed a conventional professional path.
Instead, she chose to write her own story in a distant country, proving that success belongs to those willing to take calculated risks and trust their instincts.
From preparing lunch for governors, chief ministers and vice-chancellors at the VC House in Nauni to serving customers at her own food venture in Sydney, Chandni's journey reflects the power of passion, perseverance and self-belief.
For countless young girls dreaming of creating something of their own, her story is a reminder that dreams deserve a chance.
Whether in the hills of Himachal Pradesh or on the shores of Sydney Harbour, determination and hard work can turn even the most unlikely ideas into reality.
