5 minutes with Alicia & Jasmine, Wild Chai

What would you be doing if you weren’t in the food industry?
Alicia - Alongside Wild Chai, I have a job working for one of the biggest tech companies in the world as an Advertiser Process Coordinator.

Jasmine - During my 9-5 I spend my time delving into all M&A deal advisory related projects, my creative outlet excels 6-9 and on the weekends through Wild Chai.

What was your first job?
Alicia - My first job was at Wallis in West London when I was 15. I was making extra money on the weekend to spend it at the ice rinks with friends. I loved chatting to people on the shop floor and giving advice on the clothing range.

Jasmine - I was a tutor in my first job, I started at 15 and carried it on until I was 23 as I just absolutely loved to teach and watch all my pupils excel.

What inspires you?
Alicia - As a Geography graduate, I would say the world and peoples experiences inspire me. There is so much to learn from those around you and nature itself. Since his show aired, I find Nirmal Purja from 14 peaks on Netflix extremely inspiring.

Jasmine - Watching people from all walks of life go after their dreams and passions, it ignites a fire in myself to work hard. I started trade as an accountant but it didn’t stop me pursuing my culinary course and starting a business.

What’s the worst job you’ve done?
Alicia - The worst job I have done is work at a plumbing shop over the summer as a teenager in West London. Worst, because I honestly had no clue about copper pipes and sinks.

Jasmine - Once I spent 5 days in a week, 15 hours a day working on an excel spreadsheet. The repetition made me numb so the only way to relieve the pain was to colour code the cells.

What’s your favourite part of your job?
Alicia - My favourite part of my job at Wild Chai is meeting new people that provide a fresh perspective on things. I have met a ton of great people at markets, shops and learnt so much about our customers.

Jasmine - My favourite part at Wild Chai is working with my sister. We can bounce ideas off each other, make each other cups of chai when we are having a mind blank and most importantly, she is the best human spell check.

And your least favourite?
Alicia - Telling someone our chai has sold out at a market when they have travelled far to come and see us!

Jasmine - Not having enough chai at the end of the market day to sneak a cup for myself!

How about the food industry?
Alicia - The lack of transparency around the impacts of ingredients on the environment and our bodies as well as the forced poor working conditions of farmers in countries like India.

Jasmine - The mistreatment of animals across the industry. Period.

What would be your last supper?
Alicia - A traditional Indian Thali, I would want to taste every curry, biryani and naan possible.

Jasmine - It would have to be the same as Alicia, I am not sure if she would share though.

What’s your motto?
Alicia & Jasmine - If there is a will, there is a way.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Alicia - I am honestly a fussy eater especially being vegetarian, I don’t tend to experiment too often. With that being said, since Jasmine has become a chef, I find myself eating capers and orange zest mash. A nice change from the standard peppers and onions!

Jasmine - On the book standard travelling trip after graduating from university (before I was vegetarian) I dared myself to eat a scorpion on Khao San road in Thailand. I did it. Never again.

What’s your favourite book?
Jasmine & Alicia: Our favourite book is Inglorius Empire, What the British Did to India by Shashi Tharoor. It is an insightful and thought-provoking book that reminds the reader of why it is so important to teach the raw, unromanticised truth about British Imperialism and more in schools and universities in the UK.

Sweet or savoury?
Alicia - Sweet, sweet, SWEET! It is partially the reason we founded Wild Chai. Having a sweet tooth can be a nightmare when you are prone to certain health conditions.

Jasmine - Savoury please! Vinegar, onions, garlic and salt over sugar any day!