Paro Founder Umaimah Sharwani: The Future Is South Asian Comfort Food

Hosted by Abena Anim-Somuah
Produced by Kerry Diamond and Catherine Baker
Edited by Jenna Sadhu
Recorded at CityVox Studios in NYC

This week, we look into the future with Umaimah Sharwani, founder of Paro, a South Asian CPG food brand. An ode to Umaimah’s mother and her cooking, Paro features three products–boxed masoor daal, boxed kitchiri, and jarred tarka oil—to help you make South Asian comfort food at home in a snap. 

Umaimah grew up in a Pakistani household in Texas before heading to college. She worked in finance and then pivoted, spending time at Google, Fab.com, and Glossier before launching her own CPG brand. She joins host Abena Anim-Somuah to talk about building her brand, working with suppliers, the influence of her mom, and her vision for Paro. 

Don’t miss Umaimah’s voicemail to her future self and her Future Flash Five predictions. 

Thank you to Kerrygold and Walmart for supporting our show. Learn more about Kerrygold butter & cheese here and about Walmart’s annual Open Call program here. 

The Future Of Food Is You is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network. Check cherrybombe.com for show transcripts. Who do you think is the Future of Food? Nominate them here!

More on Umaimah: Instagram, Paro, website, recipes

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