Morung Express News
Kohima | July 19
At 27, Pelevotuo Solo is a successful entrepreneur who runs ‘Mom and I Café’ in Kohima. The young cafe owner who holds a Masters degree in Plant Pathology had always wanted to own a cafe, with his love for gastronomy developed at a young age.
“I still remember how I used to search for home ingredients to cook my own food when I was in class 5. As I grew, I started to put more of my interest in creating different recipes. And this led to where I am today,” says Solo.
Tucked in a cozy corner in the centre of Kohima town, Mom and I Cafe is a growing favourite for foodies in the capital. The cafe had formerly been a Galho stall run by Solo's mother for over 17 years: her Galho being a favorite for many.
His Mom's galho remains a unique selling point at Mom & I Cafe. Another USP of the Cafe is the creation of recipes in accordance to the gastronomic preferences of the locals. "I always try to create recipes according to our Naga taste preferences,” says Solo. While the quality is essential, Solo also focuses on the quantity and food being 'pocket friendly' when it comes to food business.
Solo's successful venture has been a mixture of both passion and necessity. Growing up from a not-so-affluent background, and in a State that has very less employment opportunities, Solo chose the food business both out of passion as well as necessity.
"It was absolutely passion that brought me here into food business but I can't deny necessity as well. My passion lead me to open this cafe, it was always a dream to open a food cafe," says Solo.
Two years on, Solo's cafe is running successfully 'beyond his expectation'.
He is hopeful that his start up will be able to employ more people and provide job opportunities; this hope and dream also keeps the young proprietor motivated.
One of the challenges of being into the food business, for Solo, is the challenge of “fulfilling every customers wants" as one has to balance the different choices of food and variances in taste as well.
“Developing recipes every now and then to make it more appealing for the consumer is challenging as well,” adds Solo who however holds the opinion that the challenge is the driving force of his passion.
In a community where an essential part of its culture is rooted in food, Solo views that the food business has a promising future.
