Originally from Gonda in UP, Abdul Hafiz (27) arrived in Gurgaon in 2013 and started off as a cook at a food cart selling south Indian dishes.

After his marriage in 2014, Hafiz started the same business on his own. He tried his luck for 3 years, but the venture did not succeed. Advised by a cousin then to change the business, Hafiz began selling household and kitchen utensils out of his cart.

His specialty, however, is items made of wood. Almost every kitchen utensil - from chakla-belan (board and rolling pin) to okhli (spice grinder or mortar) and spatulas - is available with him. Hafiz sources these from Meerut and the price for each ranges between Rs 30-250.

"People these days have a fascination for natural ingredients. They look for organic rice and pulses, for instance. I feel that for the same reason, customers buy kitchen utensils made of wood. It probably gives them satisfaction and peace of mind," says Hafiz.

According to him, the prevalence of non-stick or Teflon-coated pans have also created the demand for his items, which, when used, does not leave scratches on the surface while cooking. "When people buy a costly non-stick pan, they don't mind spending a little more for something like wooden spatulas that help in increasing longevity," he says.

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