Vahinie in Marathi language implies as “Sister in law” (mother personified in relative terms), which symbolises an individual who cares with love and affection.

The nurturing goes 24 years back to when an idea of helping women who had to juggle between the domestic and job responsibilities seemed challenging and provision of food for such females struck Late.Ravindra Washikar’s mind. He discussed the idea with his wife Rajashree and mother Late.Vimlabai who seconded the concept. But going ahead with the idea and starting a food joint was not a cakewalk for Ravindra. His idea was mocked for pursuing something very ordinary, being an Engineer and hardcore businessman. But his passion for food and hospitality which originated from his frequent business trips and the motivation from his family inspired him to start his own venture.

He and his wife Rajashree soon started with a small food joint of snacks operating out of their residence as Vahinie. It was his wife Rajashree who professionally designed her traditional food recipes.
Initially the joint operated just for two hours of the day. The concept gained a positive response from the local people of Kolhapur, Maharashtra after which Vahinie started functioning as a full-fledgeddining joint which now served breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner along with dry savoury and sweet snacks like chakali, bhakarwadi, kolhapuri chivda, shankarpali, batata chivda and laddos made in desi ghee such as moong laddos, dink laddos, besan laddos etc. which gained popularity in Kolhapur and nearby districts in a short span. This was a result of Rajashree’s work ethics and devotion to Vahinie.

The enterprise follows the tradition of writing a thought for the day which is an inspiring message written by Rajashree and her daughter Kaveeta which is put up at the production centre and entrance of the joint. The motive behind this was to encourage employees and the customers as they believed that positive words lead to positive thinking within. Similarly, a good mindset leads to happy eating and peaceful digestion. This tradition has been followed till date.

Soon, Late.Ravindra’s daughter, Mrs. Kaveeta Prasad Soundallgekar, the second generation, qualified as an MBA stepped into the family business and under the guidance and mentorship of her mother Rajashree, added to the growth and progress of Vahinie. She introduced various new methodologies for overall growth of the business. Later on, joined by her brother-in-law Prashant Soundalgekar in the managing team bringing in his culinary experience with pleasant personality, thrusted with the responsibility of refining and implementing the systems devised for continuous improvement.

After 21 successful years, Mr. Ksshetij Prasad Soundallgekar, son of Kaveeta Soundallgekar, the third generation qualified as BSc in Hospitality Studies and Hotel Management was introduced in the business. His vision to expand the reach of the business through modern technologies and the internet was supported by his mother and Grandmother.
The pandemic was a challenge for the business and to overcome that he launched Vahinie on food delivery platforms namely Swiggy and Zomato when nutritious food was a necessity.

With a vision to broaden the reach and to make the traditional food of Western Maharashtra available at the customers doorstep from the comfort of their home, Ksshetij and the team came up with the plan of launching the website.

This is thus, a family owned and operated business with a real dynamic team and vision consisting of and run by three generations till date. A vision that was anticipated by Late.Ravindra Bhausaheb Washikar is being carried out as a tradition by the future generations.