SUBJECT: 3.5/5
WRITING: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
GENRE & THEMES: Autobiography, Memoir, Nonfiction, Food, Business, Entrepreneurship
“Through this book, I hope to inspire you. I hope to make you laugh a little and I hope that you take away this, if nothing else-if I can do it, so can you.”
– Munaf Kapadia, How I Quit Google to Sell Samosas
Some books are truly one of a kind. They tell stories that stay with you—stories that are bold, offbeat, and brimming with courage. Stories that celebrate food, passion, culture, and heritage. One such story that I recently devoured (quite literally!) is How I Quit Google to Sell Samosas by Munaf Kapadia. Let’s be honest—the title alone is enough to grab your attention. But once you dig in, you realize the journey is just as flavourful as the samosas themselves—crisp, unexpected, and absolutely worth it!
What is the book all about?
The book chronicles Munaf’s journey as an entrepreneur—one that is as daring as it is delicious. In 2015, he left behind a four-year stint as a consultant at Google to take a leap of faith and venture into the food business—alongside his mother.
Within just two years, his food start-up, The Bohri Kitchen, had taken the food scene by storm. And with Munaf as its Chief Eating Officer, he not only won hearts but also secured a coveted spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
This book tells the story of how Munaf, who started his business as a weekend food pop-up from his Cuffe Parade home, became an entrepreneur who made it to Forbes.
With experiences ranging from big wins to multiple setbacks—and even more lessons along the way—Munaf shares it all. He talks about running city-wide delivery kitchens, tackling startup hurdles, arranging business capital, scaling up, catering to Bollywood’s elite, winning a reality TV show, and facing a fair share of failures too. Through it all, he lays everything out with honesty and humour, making the journey as engaging as it is inspiring.
At its core, this book is more than just a business story. Its whole objective is to motivate others to follow their dreams, take the entrepreneurial path, and provide just the right nudge (or maybe a delicious push) for dreamers.
My review
The real shock factor of this book lies in one simple question—why on earth would anyone leave a cushy, well-paying job at Google to… sell samosas? Sounds crazy, right? But this ‘Samosa Gyaan’, as the book puts it, and the story behind it, is worth every minute spent reading. Packed with insights, humor, and real-life lessons, every page makes the journey feel absolutely worth it!
Munaf’s ideas are as creative as they are fun, his experiences nothing short of adventurous, and his writing refreshingly candid. Reading this book feels less like flipping through a business guide and more like having a conversation with the guy. Rather than being one of those preachy, wordy books with lots of gyaan and almost no fun, this book keeps it engaging, light, and full of flavour!
Fun fact: The Bohri Kitchen started because of a TV remote fight between Munaf and his mother! What began as a simple household disagreement led to the creation of this uber-niche dining experience, all from the confines of their vintage home. The idea? To showcase his mother’s exceptional cooking skills and introduce the world to the rich and flavourful Bohri cuisine.
The success story
The dining experience initially started as a weekend-only affair with limited seating, but the quality of the food and the rich cultural experience it offered spoke for itself. Before long, The Bohri Kitchen became the latest buzz in Mumbai’s food scene.
Then came the time to take the big leap—and Munaf did just that. This book captures the journey of the enterprise, from its inception to the many challenges and opportunities along the way, right up to its present-day success. It is a heartfelt tale of inspiration, courage, and a deep love for one’s culture and food.
In the end
Whether you’re a food lover, an aspiring entrepreneur seeking the right push, or a restaurateur ready to take the next big leap—pick up this book, read it, and I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of How I Quit Google to Sell Samosas using the link below.
