Born from Home. Served with Heart.
Scroll down to begin our story.
YAVI is not just a brand name—it’s a bond. A coming together of love, roots, and purpose.
It’s a blend of “Ya” from Yashashwini (me) and “Vi” from Vikas (my husband), two passionate souls from different towns of South India—Kolar in Karnataka and Warangal in Telangana—now cooking one dream together in Aachen, Germany.
YAVI reflects our essence, our story, and our soul. It’s a name that carries our heritage, our future, and the flavors of our hearts.
I was born and raised in Kolar, Karnataka—a small town with a big heart. In my documents and day-to-day life, I go by the name Yashwini, but my full name is Yashashwini—a name that holds strength, grace, and purpose.
I come from a large, close-knit South Indian joint family. Though we’ve grown into separate homes now, we still live near each other, deeply connected, and always there to support one another—especially when there’s a meal or a celebration involved.
Our family meals were legendary—never made for just three or four, but always for 10, 20, sometimes 40. We cooked like we lived—big, bold, and together.
At the heart of this love for food is my mother. She is the soul of our home—gentle, nurturing, godlike in patience, and the most loving person you’ll ever meet.
She taught me that cooking is not a task—it’s a gift. She taught me how to make food with kindness, how to nurture people through flavors, and how love, when added to a dish, becomes the most powerful ingredient.
If I am anything today, it’s because of my mother’s cooking, my father’s strength, and their unwavering belief in me. And what I will be tomorrow—that’s the gift my husband’s love and support will give me.
My father began his life as a bus conductor for the government. A simple man with a powerful dream. Over the years, he worked his way up to become a restaurant owner and chef, opening three restaurants with his own hands, courage, and fire.
He wasn’t just running businesses—he was building a legacy of food, family, and flavor.
I grew up watching him work hard, learning not just the techniques, but the ethics behind serving food: Never compromise. Never waste. Always feed with respect.
As kids, my brothers and I were always in the kitchen—sometimes to cook, often to eat, and always to experiment. We made burnt Maggi, overly spicy coconut rice, rock-hard chapatis—but we laughed and learned through every mistake. And slowly, unknowingly, I became a chef.
Later in my PG days in Bangalore, when the food was unbearable, I took charge. I cooked for roommates, friends, neighbors—anyone who needed warmth in the form of a home-cooked meal.
Today, I cook confidently for 100–200 people, and for 20–30 guests almost every other weekend in our home in Germany. That’s just normal for us—it’s in our DNA.
I am a vegetarian, eating only minimal dairy (curd or paneer sometimes). But I cook everything: Vegan, Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, and Sattvik.
Because food is not about categories—it’s about care. It’s about understanding what someone needs and giving it with joy, attention, and integrity.
I cook with the same love for my guests as I do for my family. I believe food is the highest form of service. It can heal, comfort, connect, and bring people together in ways that words often cannot.
My husband, Vikas, is my everything. He is the silent strength behind the noise of my kitchen. He’s an introvert—gentle, grounded, thoughtful. The exact opposite of me, and yet, the perfect partner.
He believes in me, encourages me, and sometimes even helps me carry 20 bags of groceries and chop veggies at 1 AM. He’s also the first to compliment when something turns out amazing—and tease when I go overboard.
We eat together, cook together, and dream together. YAVI is as much his dream as it is mine.
When I moved to Germany, I was surprised at how limited Indian food options were—especially food that truly represented the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine.
India is not just one dish or one spice. It’s thousands of languages, communities, flavors, rituals, and kitchens.
So I decided to bring the true essence of Indian cuisine to Germany, starting in Aachen—not just the food, but the emotion, the culture, and the warmth behind it.
Whatever I cook, I cook with intention and love. I want people to not just taste the dish—but to feel the story, the tradition, the hands and hearts behind it.
YAVI is not just food on a plate. It is the journey of two people, two families, and two generations of love, brought to life through flavor.
We are here to serve real, rich, regional Indian food, thoughtfully prepared and passionately shared.
We are here to introduce Germany to the soul of Indian cuisine—one dish, one memory, one joyful moment at a time.
YAVI – Indian Food.
Crafted with legacy. Served with heart.