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Chef Meghna Changed The Norms By Becoming A Celebrity YouTuber From A Banker

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Chef-Meghna

Chef Meghna

Chef Meghna is a banker turned baker, who after spending a decade in banking between Ahmedabad & Mumbai, one fine day, decided to give up all that corporate glamour and ventured into the culinary world.  Someone who originally was never a good cook, but a combination of circumstances, personal choices & the rebel inside her, led her to the kitchen.

Starting with her own cooking classes in the city of Mumbai, Meghna juggled between her formal education in culinary world, motherhood, shuffling between India, and Asian countries as the vegetarian menu consultant and planning her venture on YouTube – Meghna’s Food Magic. It’s an inspirational story of a successful banker who turned baker & then internet sensation in a just 2 years. It’s no miracle that Meghna’s Food Magic has million+ followers across all major social platforms & 2 Million+ views on YouTube, many of students are successful bakers & restaurants abroad are welcoming her ideas of vegetarian food on the foreign soil. As a celebrity chef she also hold a unique position of 50% male followers who are genuinely trying to cook. Today, she works with top notch national and international brands Bournvita, Cadbury, STAR TV to name a few.

With a million+ followers on social media and almost 4 million views on her YouTube channel, Chef Meghna has a very interesting story of banker turned baker. Lets get to know her better through this candid chat with Namita Nayyar, Women Fitness India.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

After spending a decade in banking between Ahmedabad & Mumbai, one fine day, you decided to give up all that corporate glamour and venture into the culinary world. Tell us more about how the idea cropped up? What all led to starting your YouTube Channel – Meghna’s Food Magic?

MS. Chef Meghna:

You probably don’t know but I was a lousy cook, who couldn’t tell a difference between a spoon and a spatula. Someone who blew up the entire kitchen because I didn’t know how to cook rice in pressure cooker. And someone who didn’t know difference between Pau Bhaji Masala & Garam Masala. But when I entered the motherhood phase, something very strange happened to me. I began developing dislike for food that I would see around me, the cakes I would taste, as my child would bring home from school. I began to see that my child was making the same unhealthy food choices that I made in my childhood & most of the adulthood. And the mother in me kicked me out of my comfort zone.

In between conducting classes, working for hotels & bakers, interacting with my clients & undergoing college studies at the age of 35; I watched several cooking shows both India and Abroad. And so came the idea of a make over. People like Giada, Nigella Lawson inspired me a lot. I invested in myself and not jewelry or expensive clothes. To make myself marketable, going to colleges was not enough. It was also important to understand what people like to watch; how do you differentiate your work from others- so the marketing side of your work becomes an equally important aspect.

My initial Facebook page Meghna’s Kitchen was getting reasonable response; but as the idea of Meghna’s Food Magic shaped up, we discontinued it and went full hog on all the social media platforms YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and most recently LinkedIn & Roposo. There is still a lot to be done on Google+, Pinterest & my own website, and it’s all in the pipeline.

I was overwhelmed by the response I got with my makeover & full fledged digital avatar. My first recipe video – Veg Quessadillas – got so much love. I could see multiple advertisements played on my YouTube episodes by Google, so I knew that I was on the right path. Within 6 months, we grew the follower base across social media to about 10,000+. But as I ventured into Pure Magic Desserts, Street Food, Baking ideas, Popular Restaurant style Indian dishes over next 2 years, we grew to a 1 MM+ followers; and growing fast. While 80% of my viewers are in India, the rest are spread across US, Europe, Africa, Middle East & Asia too.

FULL INTERVIEW ON NEXT PAGE!

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness Org 

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Meghna’s Food Magic has million+ followers across all major social platforms & 4 Million+ views on YouTube, this shows that you have an incredibly strong following. What factors, according to you, facilitate your success?

MS. Chef Meghna: 

  1. Listening to viewers & engaging with them. Everyday I get so many requests to post recipes. It may not be practically possible to shoot every recipe video, so I do a mix of recipe videos and recipe blogs; so that the hunger keeps getting satisfied.
  2. Consistency. Many You Tubers give up after shooting 30-40 videos because it takes a while before it starts catching up. If you are consistent in sharing quality content, eventually the regular viewership start building up.
  3. Seeing it simple. Most recipe videos I see on TV channels and other YouTube channels, they tend to over complicate things. I am constantly battling with the idea of the ingredients & kitchen appliances availability as well as affordability of middle class segment. No point in showing some fancy dish that requires expensive tools & ingredients that may not be available in Tier 2 & 3 cities.
  4. See you can’t share healthy recipes if you yourself are not in good health. I have worked on many of my aspects from looks, fitness, lifestyle etc.
  5. I did anticipated that 20-25% of my audience would be men, but never expected that the 65% viewers would be men. Not only that they actually, try some of the recipes or share with their family to cook it for them to carry in tiffin. Big numbers I guess are coming from the opposite gender. 🙂
  6. My team have been blessed by a group of enthusiastic creative people around me, who facilitate my shoots and post production work. My digital partners who have found potential in investing in the brand Meghna.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Many aspiring bakers hold a personal admiration for you. Share what’s a day like in your life?

MS. Chef Meghna:

  1. Early to bed Early to rise, Work like Hell & Advertise. My work requires me to interact with my followers on social media and responding to queries fastest.
  2. There are planned shoots for recipe video making, there are planning days with the kitchen staff for recipes… there are days when I park myself in kitchen baking & experimenting new recipe ideas.
  3. I may be a teacher but I am also a student; a lot of research goes into my work before anyone gets to see the final product
  4. Some days are busy meeting clients – I call it fieldwork – discussing the menu, experimenting dishes & analyzing their customer feedback to make changes in dishes or menu.
  5. Then there are marketing campaigns that I get involved with to help brands reach their target audience on social media. A lot of meetings happen before we actually get down to shooting recipes… discussing recipes, concepts, food styling & photography around it.
  6. But whatever I do, my food is prepared by me only & my morning gym is non negotiable- it has to happen. So 5.30 am to 10.30 pm, it’s all action, no dull moments.
  7. My digital production team frequently interacts with me on episode edits; nothing gets released till I personally sign off.

 Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Wellness is an integral part of your blog & life. Tell us about the food/meal pattern that you follow in general to remain healthy and physically fit?

MS. Chef Meghna:

Just eat right was my Mantra. For the last 3 years, my breakfasts consists of 2 toasts (with few drops of olive oil & salt, pepper, chilli powder) & tea; post work-out smoothie, the recipe video you’ll find on my YouTube Channel;  mix of vegetables stew cooked with few drops of oil; 4 pm coffee with multi-grain bread & leafy salad & nuts with my own recipe of dressings for dinner. My daughter also enjoys this salad. From Pizza to cake, I eat whatever I crave for; but in small portions once in a week. I developed lighter dessert recipes so that helped. So no roti or rice, I just eat according to my goals. And I don’t eat after 7.30 pm. My 8 hour sleep is non-negotiable.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have a fat to fit transformation story, share with us how were you able to incorporate fitness into your life?

MS. Chef Meghna:

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Inner health and beauty need to be accompanied, with a regular beauty and skin regime. Share with us your 5 key skincare and hair care tips.

MS. Chef Meghna:

  1. Skin care : Drink lot of water, Use Sunscreen lotion (with SPF) and avoid roaming in direct Sun light as much as possible- India is a very high on pollution & covering your face would easily keep you away from pimple, skin rash issues, retaining the natural glow. Wash your face regularly throughout the day; don’t let oil build up on the skin.
  2. Hair care : From young age, my mother ensured that there was oil put in my hair all the time, same habit I’ve developed in my daughter. But if you’re not up for that then at least ensure you get good warm oil massage in hair once a month. Use good branded products – even for coloring your hair – don’t settle for cheap. Always do conditioner whenever you shampoo your hair, that will keep your hair soft & manageable.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Share 5 tips for a new YouTube vlogger, who has just started out and wishes to make a mark?

Ms. Chef Meghna:

  1. Focus on the Quality content. Use good Quality camera. I know nowadays people use high end phones to shoot, but the in my experience a good 5D camera is what really differentiates your content from the others.
  2. Don’t have to copy anyone. Create your original content. People connect with you on many levels- across various aspects.
  3. Subtitles are must. People outside India will see your content. 20% of my viewership comes from outside subcontinent.
  4. Try and reply to comments; however negative or not so positive they may be. You win them; they could actually become your brand ambassadors.
  5. Keep it personal. We sometime rely on external agencies to do the legwork for us. I made that mistake in my initial period. But was quick to learn that external agencies do not share the same passion as you. And it’s best to have your career in your own hand.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Over the years there has been a tremendous change in the scenario of travel, health, fitness, and nutrition in India. What do you have to say from your observance?

MS. Chef Meghna:

  1. Yes there is a lot more awareness about health & nutrition at least in the Tier I & II cities; but beyond that of these changes on ‘healthy food & emphasis on nutritions’ are marketing gimmicks that haven’t taken off well. If you go to smaller cities, you will find that people are still looking forward to eating 30 varieties in weddings & typical Indian food with oil floating on the top. Some of this is also because of food prices. Buying products like Quinoa & Granola is not something that middle class can easily afford. And then there is lack of awareness of how to make these. The more they will google and see how chefs make these, the more such health & high-fibre foods will take over the traditional snacks.
  2. As You Tuber & Chef, I carry the responsibility of providing ‘Intelligent Food’ recipes to my viewers. See if one can cook something with few drops of oil, why take 2 large tablespoons. Or how do I ensure that I keep vegetables away from getting overcooked – such that their nutrition value is retained to maximum possible.
  3. Fitness is another misunderstood concept. People either consult expensive dietitians or hire fitness experts to help. But however good they may be, till your inner self doesn’t wake up, the professional help will not give the desired result. So long as people keep treating fitness as one of the ‘thing to do’ or activity instead of lifestyle change, the fitness levels in Indians may not match that of people of foreign origin.
  4. While travelling, most Indians complaint about ‘bland’ taste or lack of availability of vegetarian food or language barriers restricting their ability to explain to people what exactly you want. Especially vegetarians, it’s quite challenging when you travel abroad. Thankfully, times are changing. I work with my clients to make vegetarian dish selection available in their menu. Unlike earlier, with Veganism & Vegetarianism spreading as a concept, the hoteliers are making an effort to modify the menu to 10-20%.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Having worked with top-notch national and international brands Bournvita, Cadbury, Saffola, Signature – to name a few. Share with us your top 5 nutrition tips for young girls and women to avoid unwanted weight gain & enjoy the food they love to eat.

MS. Chef Meghna:

  1. You are not alone. Make alarm clock your best friend, and so that you are able to wake up early and find time for exercise. Even if you do 20 minutes of brisk walk on daily, it will add a couple of years to your life.
  2. Going to gym is not a fashion statement. I find a lot of youngsters socializing in the name of attending gym. Why youngsters, even the middle-aged people are constantly looking for some company to go to gym. Invest in a good headphone, and just work out; even if you’re alone.
  3. All workouts and fancy diets are useless, if you cannot control your urge snacking throughout the day or midnight. Don’t eat after 7-7.30 pm.
  4. “I travel a lot, hence I can’t control my diet” is a lame excuse. For your information, I travel 15 days in a month. And I control what I put in my mouth. Whether the food they serve in the flight, or the multi-cuisine buffets served in hotels; you can control your urge. If I can, you too can.
  5. If you crave for ice cream or cakes or desserts, go ahead, dig in; just eat in very small portions. Cheat your way to enslave your mind.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Women Fitness works relentlessly with a goal to reach out women all over the world providing them with best in health & fitness. What do you wish to say about the website (Womenfitness.org) and message for our readers?

MS. Chef Meghna:

Women are the change agents. As home makers, what groceries we buy, what food we make & how we make, the cleanliness & hygiene we observe, the healthy eating habits we deploy, will determine the health standards of not only our generation; but the next and thereafter. There is enough help available online. Google your way to a healthy & fit lifestyle.

Our grand parents taught us many wonderful things; but then there are many things, we have to now let go to bring in and adapt to the increased availability of food choices. Please make a little effort to cook the same favorite dishes home, for which you crave to go to restaurants. Intelligent Food is not any different variety of dishes but rather the same dishes cooked intelligently.

I cannot think of a better platform than women fitness magazine to spread this important message to all the viewers. This will be a game changer, and this platform I feel is the game changers.

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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness Org

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