From Kitchen to Curbside: The 62-Year-Old Housewife Winning Hearts on Chandigarh’s Streets

On a quiet Chandigarh street corner, something magical simmers—not just in the bubbling oil or the fragrant chole—but in the spirit of a woman who decided, at 62, that it was time to rewrite the script of her life.

She’s known simply as Aunty Ji to her growing crowd of regulars. For most of her life, she was a housewife—mother, caretaker, the backbone of her family. But when the routines of domestic life settled into silence, she chose not to fade into the background. Instead, she picked up her ladle, laced it with decades of love and experience, and stepped boldly into the bustling world of street food.

“I used to be a housewife,” she says, with a twinkle in her eye and a ladle in hand. “But I’ve always had a passion for food. One day, I thought—why not now?”

With nothing but a small stall and her timeless recipes—crispy aloo tikkis, tangy golgappas, comforting chole bhature, and melt-in-your-mouth dahi bhallas—she began her culinary journey. And almost instantly, Chandigarh took notice.

A video posted by food vlogger Harry Uppal turned her into an overnight sensation, drawing nearly 300,000 views on Instagram. But it wasn’t just the food that captivated people—it was her warmth, her courage, her refusal to let age define her boundaries. Commenters flooded in, praising her “divine aura,” her smile, and the sheer comfort her food brought.

What sets Aunty Ji apart isn’t just the flavor of her dishes—it’s the flavor of her spirit. In every plate, there’s history. In every bite, there’s a story—of love, resilience, and quiet revolution.

She is part of a growing movement of late-blooming foodpreneurs—like Aman Hundal in Mohali, who turned homemade rajma chawal into a full-fledged business. But Aunty Ji’sjourney is uniquely stirring. It’s not just about entrepreneurship. It’s about reclaiming identity, purpose, and passion after decades of serving others.

“To anyone thinking they’re too old to start something new,” she says, “just start. Don’t wait.”

Her stall doesn’t have a name—yet. But perhaps it doesn’t need one. Because in a world chasing trends and fast fame, she reminds us of something far more lasting: good food made with love, and the courage to begin, no matter your age.

And in the heart of Chandigarh, that’s exactly what people are lining up for.