By Radhika Agrawal
As a chocolatier, entrepreneur, and author, Zeba Kohli has many avatars that she is constantly shuffling between. Her tryst with chocolate started when she began reinventing her maternal grandfather’s chocolate brand, Fantasie Fine Chocolate. As the years went by, she became a force to be reckoned with in the industry, and received over 72 awards for her work. The thing that stands out about Kohli is her unmatched creativity and vision—from organising a chocolate fashion show in as early as 2006 to curating life-size installations made of chocolate—she has the incredible ability to turn chocolate into art. We sat down with her to find out more about the many ups and downs she has faced throughout her journey and what keeps her going.
When and how did your love for chocolate get ignited?
Zeba Kohli: The truth is, it was not ignited naturally. I’m a physics student, so my life revolved around the sciences. And then it went more towards the climate, weather, and humidity because I was the protégé of my maternal grandfather. He had a vision to open a store like the Swiss chocolate stores in Asia. And Fantasie is very sentimental to me because my nana wanted to hire the less privileged people of the society to work at the company.
Chocolate became a part of my DNA because I grew up in it. Later, my mother asked me to leave school and join the business. So, I started doing more research and I took a lot of chocolate courses. I learned a lot on the go. I learned how to sell chocolate and how to market it. I learned how to make it and I kept on studying. And then my interest actually went deeper into the layers, involving plantations, farmers’ fair trade, sustainability etc.
Over the years, you’ve done some really creative projects with chocolate. Which one is closest to your heart?
Zeba Kohli: I have a very curious mind and I get bored very easily. I can be a goody-two-shoes many times, but my mind is hungry for fun and laughter. I did a chocolate fashion show in 2006 and it was crazy. I made a movie on chocolate and I’ve created many artworks. I worked with Cadbury, where I wrote a book with seven recipes for Cadbury’s 70th year. I just do things, spontaneously and impulsively, but I also recognise what will make people remember them. So, I do it in a really fun way with all the drama.
You wear many hats as an entrepreneur, TV personality, author, and chocolatier. Is there any persona you’re closer to than others?
Zeba Kohli: I would like to say that my avatar as a homemaker is the finest because it enhances my ability to work on all my relationships.
You were recently invited to judge an international chocolate awards. Tell us about that experience.
Zeba Kohli: I was invited to be a judge by the International Chocolate Awards in Florence and Valencia. It was a real privilege because I was the only Indian on the panel. There were people from Italy, Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia Pacific. It was enlightening because I realised there’s so much more left to master and learn.
What is your wellness mantra?
Zeba Kohli: You have to be very disciplined and you cannot negotiate your physical health.
Is there any advice you’d like to give to the aspiring entrepreneurs out there?
Zeba Kohli: I’d just like to say that if it’s a maths problem or a physics problem, you need to analyse it and you need to think it thoroughly before you act. But in life, you cannot overthink or over analyse. I don’t believe in going with the flow either, because dead fish do that. You need to learn the art of floating and keep your head above the water.
