Until recently, Jocelyn was a Biology teacher with a passion for curry. No longer teaching she has followed her passion and started her small business ‘Karma Curry’, making fresh, authentic easy to use curry sauces by adapting her wonderful mother-in-law’s recipes. Jocelyn has identified a gap in the market where lots of sauces and curry-making kits are available, but no one is making a fresh sauce that is quick and easy to use with authenticity. Her sauces are available at Provenance Village Butcher in Notting Hill, West Hampstead and soon Chelsea.
In addition, Jocelyn enjoys travelling, yoga and spending time with family and friends. She hopes that ‘Karma Curry’ continues to grow and be successful so that a percentage of the profits can go to support charities helped by the British Asian Trust.
1 Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Many places spring to mind but if forced to choose, Bamburgh in Northumberland and India.
2 What are your proudest achievements?
My two daughters.
3 What inspires you?
I have been inspired by many things over the years - pupils I have taught, gifted teachers, family and friends; in particular a very dear friend, Benjamin Angel, who despite all the obstacles placed in front of him achieved so much in such a short period of time. No longer with us, he still inspires me to this day to keep trying. Also my father’s work ethic and my dear father- in-law who arrived in the UK from India with very little and again achieved so much.
4 What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
I thoroughly enjoyed my teaching career becoming Head of Science in a top London Independent Girls’ day school; but the biggest obstacle for me, and like many women, was work life balance when I had children.
5 Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My new career is ‘Karma Curry’ so that has to be my amazing mother-in-law.
6 What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being able to work for myself and the flexibility that brings with a young family.
7 And the worst?
Tasting curries everyday – delicious, but hard on the waistline!
8 What are your long term goals?
I would like the business to grow without compromising any of the principles of the brand. ‘Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness’ so the name ‘Karma Curry’ came about because, as a working mother, I wanted to ensure that the food that I gave my children was nutritious and of the highest quality but was also quick and easy to prepare. It is also important to me to be associated with brands that care about the environment, animal welfare and how our food is produced, packaged and delivered. Hence my association with ‘Provenance Village Butcher’, locally sourced produce, the use of recyclable materials and delivering whilst on the school run keeping my carbon footprint low.
9 If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Although it is improving, I would still like to see more women in parliament, better childcare provision and work life balance for young families.
10 If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Can I have two? I am still passionate about my subject, Biology, so Charles Darwin as I would learn so much from him and also the late Mo Mowlam MP – wonderfully charismatic, clever, funny and strong – I think we’d have fun!
