Rachi Gupta grew up in a typical Indian household where food was the family's love language. Her curiosity about the kitchen developed at an early age as she watched her mother and grandmother cook every day.
To pursue her passion, she went on to formally study culinary arts at the Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad. She later attended a summer programme in French Pastry Arts at the École Nationale Supérieure de la Pâtisserie under Ducasse Education in Yssingeaux, France. In 2021, she returned to Mumbai and founded The Bread Bar, an all-day brunch café, and went on to launch The Gelato Bar in 2023, following a trip to Italy where she studied the craft of gelato making.
Excerpts from an interview:
'For me, success today is far more internal than external.It's about building something honest and reflective of my voice as a chef and entrepreneur. It means waking up excited about what I'm creating and knowing that the food we serve is consistent and made with integrity.
'My father has been one of the most influential people in my journey. As an entrepreneur himself, he never shielded me from the realities of building a business. Instead, he taught me to face them head on. His unwavering confidence in me is what changed everything.
'My biggest challenge has been the hospitality industry itself. It's demanding, unpredictable, and constantly tests your patience.There have been moments that pushed me far outside my comfort zone, but each one forced me to become more decisive, more adaptable, and clearer about my standards. As a chef, you're deeply emotional about your product but, as a founder, you have to make clear, sometimes tough, decisions. So, instead of spiralling, I go back to the basics, such as the work, the numbers, and the customer's feedback.
'In the early days, success felt very milestone-driven but, over time, my definition has become far more layered. Previously, I measured success by opening new outlets, seeing numbers grow, and hitting visible markers. Now it means building something sustainable, staying consistent in quality, and creating brands people genuinely trust and return to.
'I would tell my younger self to trust her pace and not rush timelines just because the industry looks fast from the outside. Building something meaningful takes longer than you expect, and that's okay. And, finally, I'd tell her to consciously make time for things she enjoys outside of work. That balance doesn't slow you down. It actually sustains you for the long run.'