Shareef in front of his Kudumbashree cafe in Kottakal. | Photo Credit: Saker Hussain
On the torrential day of August 13 years ago, the determination of Shareef Kalathingal lit a spark that would change the fate of her family. With a modest 100 GBP loan, 10 UNNIYAPPAM packages, sweet delicacies conjured up from her neighbor that would become her poverty leave.
Her children and her husband, Sakeer, a painter trying to find a job in the rainy season, eagerly waited for her modest offer. She knew she was doing a bold step towards a clearer future.
With her pacings of freshly made unniyAppam, Shareef has nervously closer to the local grocery store in Hajiyarpalli in Malappurama. The initial skepticism of the shop owner slowly retreated with a surprise when the treatment was sold out quickly. Shareefa’s modest enterprise soon caused a rush of orders for Pathiri and Chapati and put it on a way to a culinary success.
Shareef with his staff Cafe Kudumbashree. | Photo Credit: Sakeer Hussain
In 2018, Shareefa launched Muthu’s eating as part of the Kudumbashree movement. With a 2 Lakh loan from Kudumbashree, it has expanded its catering business and introduced an innovative “dabba” scheme. As part of this initiative, she began to deliver lunch to employees to the civic station Malappuram.
Shareef’s business spirit that was not deserved by the Covid-19 pandemia. She launched an initiative for supplying food to the Government Faculty of Medicine in Manjeri, serving breakfast and rice of the whip of 2,000 people daily and employing 15 women.
Shareef and its employees in a festive mood. | Photo Credit: Sakeer Hussain
This effort has led to long -term partnership in eating. Today her team continues to supply breakfast to Manjeri Medical College. Shareef has expanded its operations with food management to Kottakkal Ayurveda College and Central School, Malappuram. Her reputation as a reliable chef received support when she began to receive commands for the main eating from Kudumbashree.
Her culinary skills impressed ministers who participated in Adalata in Swalat Nagar, where Biryani served 1,500 people. The event caused the buzz about the start of the premium hotel and its vision was soon formed with Cafe Kudumbasree in Kottakkal.
Shareefa, which serves food to the customer in its Kudumbashree Café | Photo Credit: Sakeer Hussain
Cafe Kudumbashree offers a range of equipment, including parcel services, counter, waiting rooms, meals, online ordering, parking and toilets.
It offers Kerala, Arabic and Chinese dishes along with local specialties in Malappuram. The café is always busy. The success of Shareef has made her a support pillar for many families.
With 30 employees under its wing, Shareefa’s business flourishes. She fulfilled her dreams, owned a home and gave her child education quality education. Her story, from the sale of only 10 packages of UnniyAppam to the eating of big events, shows her gravel and confidence.
Published – July 19, 2025 20:59
