Chitra Agrawal

Chitra Agrawal is the founder of Brooklyn Delhi, a food company renowned for its premium Indian sauces and condiments. Raised in New Jersey by Indian immigrant parents—her mother from Bangalore and her father from Delhi—Agrawal's multicultural upbringing has significantly influenced her culinary perspective. She began her journey in food by documenting family recipes on a blog, which eventually led to teaching cooking classes and creating Indian-inspired menus for various events in Brooklyn.12

In 2014, Agrawal launched Brooklyn Delhi after participating in a business plan competition, despite not winning. She decided to pursue her passion for food full-time, leaving a decade-long career in marketing. Initially, she produced her products in a commercial kitchen and sold them at local markets. Agrawal aims to elevate the perception of Indian cuisine in the U.S., particularly focusing on achaar, a traditional South Asian condiment that she believes deserves more recognition.14

Agrawal is also the author of Vibrant India: Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn, further showcasing her commitment to sharing Indian culinary traditions with a broader audience.13 Alongside her husband, Ben Garthus, she has built Brooklyn Delhi as a self-funded brand, emphasizing quality and authenticity in their offerings.5