Tocco is Empowering Home Chefs to Share Homemade Regional Delicacies Across India

In a world where food is more than just fuel for the body, the rise of Tocco is rewriting the rules of how we experience food. Founded with a deep desire to bring authentic homemade meals to people everywhere, Tocco is a social commerce platform that’s making waves in the food industry. It isn’t just about eating; it’s about reconnecting with memories, rediscovering lost flavours, and supporting the talented home chefs of India. So, how did this idea become a thriving business that’s now making homes and kitchens the centre of culinary creativity?

A Vision to Revive Nostalgia Through Food

Tocco, founded in 2023 by the passionate Reshma Suresh, is a game-changer for home chefs looking to share their culinary talents with the world. Reshma, wanted to bring the taste of home-cooked meals to people who crave authentic regional delicacies but don’t have the time or resources to cook them. Reshma, a former healthcare professional who had spent most of her life working in startups, found herself missing the taste of her mother’s food when she moved to Mumbai in 2012. She found it difficult to get the kind of authentic Kerala food she craved and, like many others living away from home, realised that there was a demand for home-cooked, regional flavours. Driven by her desire to relive the taste of her childhood and share that experience with others, Reshma launched Tocco. The name, Tocco, is short for “The Orange Candy Co.”, which holds a special place in her childhood memories, reminding her of shared moments with her sister. With Tocco, she set out to create a platform that would not only allow people to experience regional delicacies but also empower those who cook them—especially women in their 50s—by turning their culinary passion into a profitable venture.

Empowering Home Chefs: The Heart of Tocco

Tocco is a hub for talented chefs who bring their region's flavour to your plate. Tocco's home chefs prepare everything with care and tradition. Whether it’s a batch of crunchy banana chips or a jar of tangy prawn pickle, every product is crafted with love and a rich sense of nostalgia. Take Uma Suresh, for example, Reshma’s mother. Uma has been cooking since she was in Class 6, and although she had always dreamed of running her own business, she never knew how to make it happen. Thanks to Tocco, Uma now has a platform where she can sell her famous prawn and mango pickle, a dish many people grew up with. Her passion for cooking and her expertise in traditional recipes have made her one of the most popular chefs on the platform. Then there's Bhavana Shah, a 51-year-old chef from Mumbai who had been running cooking classes and making snacks for years. For Bhavana, cooking wasn’t just about preparing food; it was her way of coping with the emotional and physical changes of menopause. Through Tocco, she found a renewed sense of purpose, and her dishes, like masala snacks and starters, have reached new customers across the country.

Traditional pickles masters like Faleela J from Thrissur, Kerala offers homemade mouthwatering pickles, which she once gifted to family and friends, and have now found a bigger audience thanks to Tocco. With her family’s support, she turned her passion into a business, delighting customers with her mouthwatering pickles and preserves. These chefs, along with others like Lakshmi (Uma’s sister) and Annie Philip, have found new hope and independence through Tocco. It’s more than just a way to make money, it’s a platform that has helped these women rediscover themselves and their value in a world that often overlooks their talents.

Popular Choice: Homemade Delights Delivered to Your Door

One of the things that make Tocco’s offerings so special is that all their products are homemade. You’re not just buying a snack or a jar of pickles; you’re bringing a taste of someone’s home into your own. Every item is made with the finest ingredients, using traditional methods, and without any preservatives – just pure, wholesome food. Tocco’s product range is a delightful journey through India’s culinary heritage. Whether it’s the crispy banana chips that take you straight to a Kerala kitchen or the shankarpali (sweet snack) from Mumbai that feels like a warm hug, the platform offers a mix of both savoury and sweet treats made with love and care. From proudly homemade pickles like the tangy prawn pickle to the mulga podi (gunpowder spice mix) from Lakshmi’s kitchen, each product is infused with nostalgia and the love that only a home chef can put into their cooking. Some of the most popular products on the platform include:

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Banana Chips (Rs. 250 for 100g) – Thin, crispy, and delicately fried, these chips are a favourite for anyone who loves Kerala food. The unique part of these chips is the traditional method of preparation, giving them that perfect crunch and flavour.

Prawn and Mango Pickle (Rs. 350 for 200g) – A tangy, spicy pickle that’s been perfected by Reshma’s mother, Uma. It’s a customer favourite that takes you right back to family meals.

Shankarpali (Rs. 200 for 100g) – A crunchy, sweet snack from Mumbai, perfect for tea time or snacking in between meals.

Sambar Masala (Rs. 150 for 100g) – A blend of spices that brings the flavours of South India straight into your kitchen. It’s a pantry staple for many food lovers.

Flax Seeds Puri Snack (Rs. 140): A healthier alternative to regular snacks, these puris are made with flax seeds, offering a nutritious and crispy bite.

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Ghee Nankhatai (Mini Nankhatais at Rs. 300) – : Pure ghee, whole wheat, and cashew – these cookies are a divine treat for any occasion. Their rich, melt-in-your-mouth taste is what makes them a bestseller.

Curry Leaves Coconut Chutney Podi (Veppilakatti at Rs. 220) – : A perfect accompaniment to rice or snacks, this chutney podi is bursting with the flavours of curry leaves and coconut.

Avalose Unda (Roasted Rice Jaggery Laddoo at Rs. 165) : A classic sweet from Kerala, these laddoos are made with roasted rice and jaggery, perfect for any festive occasion.

What sets these products apart is not just the flavour, but the personal touch that comes with every batch. When you order from Tocco, you’re not just getting food—you’re getting a piece of someone’s home, someone’s memories, someone’s passion. It’s as close as you can get to being invited into a stranger’s kitchen, without ever leaving your own home.

Tocco – Food From Heart

Tocco is more than just an e-commerce platform. It’s a community, a movement, and a reminder that food has the power to connect us to our roots, our families, and our memories. By giving home chefs a platform to share their creations, Tocco is not only providing customers with authentic, homemade food but also empowering a group of women who might have otherwise been overlooked. It’s a business with a heart, a story that transcends food, and a mission to bring people closer to the flavours that make life truly delicious. So, the next time you’re craving something that reminds you of home, why not give Tocco a try? After all, the best meals are the ones that come with a story.