Small Business Spotlight: Yasameen Sajady, CEO & Co-Founder Maazah Chutney
Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 8:20AMArticle by Becky Fillinger
The Food Network recently published a list of 30+ Women-Founded Food Businesses We Love to Stock From. Locally owned Maazah Chutney was on this list! We talked to Yasameen Sajady about her chutney business and the importance of savoring food and life.
Yasameen Sajady
Q: Yasameen, we love to tell the immigration stories of our local entrepreneurs. Please tell us about your family’s journey to Minneapolis.
A: Mother, Fatima and Father, Muchtar emigrated from Afghanistan in the 1970s. Our grandfather Dr. Akbar Sajady was the pioneer of our family, arriving in 1961 to specialize in open heart surgery.
Q: You’ve said that your mother is the inspiration for your chutneys. Please tell us more about her “magic green sauce.” Was it popular at family meals?
A: Maazah is a bright, bold, and balanced Afghan-style chutney. We can’t remember a meal growing up that didn’t include Mom’s famous “Magic Green Sauce." A phenomenal cook, her secret blend of cilantro and peppers was the universal condiment that made everything more flavorful and delicious. We put it on everything — from rice and korma to tacos and pizza.
We had to go through a surprising number of test batches until our version of “Mom’s Magic Green Sauce” got Mom's approval. Made with only whole ingredients, it's packed with flavor — perfect for dipping, spreading or drizzling on your favorite foods.
Traditionally chutney is eaten with rice, korma, dahl and kabobs, but you can dip, spread or drizzle it on almost anything. There are many styles of chutney they can be sweet, savory, tangy, spicy as well as many uses. Chutney doesn’t just need be used to flavor traditional dishes. Top off eggs, sandwiches, grilled meats, vegetables, or grain bowls. Add as a marinade to chicken, fish or shrimp. Mix it in soups or salads. Pair it with a cheese plate. Mix into guacamole or just eat it with chips or pita bread.
Q: What is your earliest food memory?
A: My earliest memory of food was watching my mom cook in the kitchen. My mom is an amazing cook. She would work all day then come home and whip up the most delicious meal you ever tasted in 20 minutes or less.
I learned at a young age that food is the epicenter of everything, it's nourishing, it gives you energy, brings people together and that’s the whole reason we started Maazah.
Q: Please tell us about being in the Lunar Startups second cohort in 2019. How did it benefit your business?
A: Lunar Startups was an amazing experience! Lunar was an amazing resource with a wide network to leverage. Outside of food, it introduced me to a broader startup landscape here in the Twin Cities.
Q: Why did you name your company Maazah?
A: Our family and culture is the most important elements in our business, which is why we’ve proudly named our company Maazah, meaning ‘flavor’ in Farsi.
In Farsi this word is used to describe great tasting food, or can be used to describe a beautiful summer night. It is how we express something that satisfies your soul or something that hits the spot. Just like our chutney.
Q: If you were to advise an up and coming food entrepreneur, what would you tell them?
A: There is no such thing as the perfect business when you start. There is so much you don’t know - but can’t know - until you start. Sometimes you have to just go for it and take the leap knowing that it could easily fail or it could be your greatest adventure yet!
Q: Do you have a favorite Minneapolis restaurant?
A: So, so many favorites - right now it’s Chimborazo, Gardens of Salonica and Lisu’s Thai Taste.
Q: For customers new to using chutneys, what do you recommend for their first purchase? How will they use the chutney?
A: Please try it on eggs and avocado, fish tacos, roasted potatoes and grain bowls.
Yasameen at Mill City Farmers Market, 2019
Q: Where may we find your products?
A: You’ll find us at local neighborhood co-ops, Mill City Farmers Market and online at maazah.com.
Q: What’s next for Maazah?
A: We are hoping to add additional flavors and expand outside of the Midwest.
Q: How may we follow your news?
A: Please follow us on Instagram @maazahchutney.
