India's internet chefs - 7th February 2020

The 'gig economy', doing lots of small jobs, has entered Indian homes. Housewives are making money from their kitchens.

Rashmi Sahjiwala, aged 59, has never had a job. But now she, like many women, is working for herself. They have turned their homes into 'cloud kitchens'. The gig economy, along with cheap mobile data, is offering women in India new chances.

Housewives use food apps like Curryful, Homefoodi and Zomato. These apps sell the meals prepared by the women in their own homes. Busy young people, who don't have time to cook, buy the meals.

In India, many traditional families don't want women to work. The apps help women get around this problem.

Rashmi Sahjiwala, 'cloud kitchen' chef: "It is good for women because India is a very conservative country and still people, the women, cannot go easily outside and work. So, this kind of platform gives them a chance to work at home, look after the family, look after her dreams, what she wants to do, and she can have her own, she can earn money with that."

Some of the app companies offer training. The women learn how to run a business and create weekly menus. They are also taught how to save money on supplies. Rashmi's business is growing. She now makes $200 a month. The future looks good for 'cloud kitchens'.