Meet TheGlitz ‘Super Woman’ the gorgeous Zeba Kohli, India’s finest and most glam chocolatier and entrepreneur. She is an eminent judge at the International Chocolate Awards, chocolate taster and chocolate consultant. Zeba assisted her grandfather’s Fantasie Fine Chocolate established in 1946 which encourages the upliftment of the lesser privileged. Under her helm, the brand soared super high. Zeba Kohli’s entrepreneurial skills have earned her multiple accolades and awards over the years. From being nominated by ELLE Magazine for the Outstanding Business Achievement Award in 1999 to being nominated for the Zee Astitva Award for the title of Business Woman of the Year in 2007… Zeba was also selected as the Platinum Woman of India by FEMINA in 2005 and was awarded by the Indo-Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce & Industry for her contributions to the Indo-Belgium trade in the Food & Beverage field in 2017. Under her leadership, Fantasie Fine Chocolates received a plethora of awards over the years and cemented Zeba’s status as one of India’s biggest chocolatiers. Zeba also serves as a Director at Ahmed A. Fazelbhoy Private Ltd., as a Director at Sunstar Confection & Trading and as a Managing Director at Good House Keeping Company. She is also a part of the Gold Leaf Banquets – an endeavor created by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor & Chef Milind Sovani.
Zeba also made her debut as a Television Host on her brand new show, Gimme Chocolate, on Living Foodz as well. As for why Zeba merits being TheGlitz ‘Super Woman’, well, not only is she one of the best chocolatiers and entrepreneurs, but she is also one of the warmest and nicest human beings we know whose million-dollar smile lights up every conversation and warms the cockles of every heart at all times.
Your journey has had many momentous milestones. Could you tell us about your life-changing journey that has moulded you to be what you are today?
- My first milestone was to lose my puppy fat by age 15.
- My 2nd milestone was to understand Physics and do well by age 15 too.
- My 3rd milestone was to know more about the side effects of oncology treatments and help patients and their families – and I learned and started helping out as a volunteer under Dr. Asha Kapadia by the age of 23.
- My maternal grandad had the vision to encourage and facilitate the lesser privileged women to self-empower themselves through self-learning and training. I understood this by age 16 and travelled the world with him and learned his values and I continue to persevere to work in this area in India.
- Another milestone was my interest in chocolates – I have done so many fun things. To name a few:
From doing a chocolate fashion show, making a short movie on chocolates & Gandhi promoting non-violence, my Bollywood TV chat show to the three books I have written and now as a chocolate judge at international chocolate awards, each one still excites me and makes me dance.
Could you list 3 of your major achievements?
My gorgeous Mom got cancer when I was 18. With her, I learned to live every moment and every day to the finest level. Then my younger brother passed away of cancer at age 29, this taught me to live in the now. I live with ‘my all’ today, I love with ‘my all’ today and I give ‘my all’ to this minute. My achievements are being a homemaker, leading by example and living every moment.
What are the setbacks you have faced? How did you tackle these setbacks or challenges? And what lesson have you learned from it?
Setbacks and issues occur every day – small or big. We must roll over and ignore or avoid.
1st take your time to heal.
2nd see /read what others have done in similar situations.
3rd go forward fearlessly.
4th take counsel if you are at crossroads, counsel can be your best friend.
5th do not compare.
6th do not cry over spilled milk.
7th only control your thoughts and your actions.
8th exercise.
9th meditate.
10th pray and pray.
11th sleep over it cause tomorrow is a brand new day.
When you look back, what are the three qualities in you that have helped you become what you are today?
I try to be cool and calm. I try not to get angry and I am not shy to cry.
Who are the people who have been the wind behind your wings?
My Mom, my maternal Grandparents, my husband and my two daughters.
Lastly, if there was a quote to define you, what would it be?
“She never backs down, she never said no, she lived life to her fullest ability.”