text Panchali Illankoon 

In this series, we talk to people who turned their passion for food and baking into a business idea. We talk to home bakers who are constantly experimenting and innovating and navigating through these difficult times to bring the sweet and the savoury to our doorsteps.

Home Bakers

Founder and proprietor of CJ Kitchen and CJ Artisan Coffee Roasters, Chandu Sri Ramana started the brand during the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns. “I’m a huge fan of coffee and I have tried so many varieties of coffee. Being a coffee aficionado or javaphile ,lockdown gave me a big opportunity  to create my own blend of coffee. Our main focus is to provide the perfect bean to cup experience for  coffee lovers, households, restaurants, businesses, cafes and hotels. That’s how CJ kitchen was born.” CJ Artisan Coffee brings Jaffna traditions with modern fusions in coffee making. “We believe in producing perfect flavours and spice blends ensuring perfect consistency in every sip of coffee that you take to indulge your senses.” 

What do you offer?  

The two unique flavours of our freshly roasted coffee blends along with a healthy option which treats cold and cough.  Our Jaffna coffee powder  is a perfect aromatic mix of coffee, coriander, cumin and dry ginger. With the hint of spice and aromatic coriander it surely gives you an exceptional tasty sip of coffee tantalizing your taste buds. We also offer Masala Coffee Powder which is made with a blend of ground spices and coffee powder. The aroma of freshly grounded spices and coffee makes this coffee a refreshing hot drink. Our Sukku Malli Coffee Powder is made with dry ginger and coriander seeds. Sukku malli coffee has many health benefits – it is used to treat cough, cold, indigestion and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. It is indeed comforting to sip on this to soothe a sore throat. For those who are looking to change over from the traditional tea or coffee, this beverage is indeed a healthy and tasty option. 

What makes your brand stand out? 

We provide extraordinary customer service and I believe that’s what makes my brand stand out.

How do you ensure hygiene and food safety?

Customers are my family. 

I won’t compromise on hygiene. My home is my factory, hence hygiene and food safety is highly ensured. A separate clean space is used for the production. Utensils are separate and sterilised after every batch of production. 

How are you handling your operations now? 

Now it’s a little difficult. The package standard quantity has been put in to smaller quantities so that the customer can still  go ahead with the purchase as per needs.

What was the most challenging part of getting your business to take off?

Competitors, brand awareness, sales management, resources like people and capital,  equipment have all proved hard to overcome in their own ways. However, cash flow has been the biggest threat among all of them.

Any advice to anyone 
who wants to start their own business?

Find what you are passionate about. The first ingredient to a business is a burning passion for the industry you’re part of and be consistent in working on it. Do not give up. Make your dream come true slowly and steadily.

What’s next for your brand?

Introducing new flavours, expand our service, and  targeting foreign customers.