Waheed started his career at local farmers markets about 15 years ago and opened Tara Kitchen in Schenectady in 2012, serving Moroccan cuisine. Since then, Tara Kitchen has grown to include six of his locations. There are one in Schenectady, Manhattan, Guilderland, Troy, and Tribeca, one in Wildwood, New Jersey, and one in Hyderabad, India. Tara Kitchen sauces and spices are available at local stores and supermarkets throughout the Northeast, and can also be purchased online at tarakitchen.com.
Waheed said he was “very honored and humbled.” “I’m excited because I personally know what that means, but I also recognize that it’s about small businesses that wouldn’t exist without the community, and I want to give Schenectady a lot of credit.”
Waheed said the honor came as a surprise to her.
“I'm really, really, really shocked,” she said. “I knew about the nomination last year and I was so grateful for it, but I knew the competition was really tough so I kept it in the back of my mind. I'm really excited.”
People are resonating with her story, Waheed said. She said her journey from starting at a farmers market with her husband, Muntassim Shoaib, to growing her business and finding success in a difficult industry has been incredible.
“It's been such a great journey, not just for me, but for Schenectady (our community) and sharing all these connections,” Waheed said.
Waheed came to the United States from India as a child. She said she feels very welcomed, accepted and supported by Schenectady and the greater county. Waheed said her relationship with Schenectady and the people in the community is very special to her.
“This is an American story,” Waheed said. “Here is an immigrant from India, who has had a career in corporate America, who has taken on one of the most difficult businesses possible, the restaurant business, and is trying his hand at lesser-known cuisines like Moroccan cuisine. I decided to create it and make it successful.'' With “Schenectady New York,'' to me, that's the story. It's the American dream. ”
Waheed is very grateful to the community and everyone who has supported her and her business.
“Needless to say, none of this would be possible without the help and support of my amazing family,” Waheed said.
Waheed and other state award recipients will be recognized by SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzmana at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., at the end of April.
“The 2024 National Small Business Week Award recipients exemplify excellence, innovation and dedication, and SBA is proud of their remarkable accomplishments and impact on their communities and economies,” Guzman said in a statement. I'll introduce you.''
