Aneesa Waheed, SBDC Client, Recognized as New York State 2024 Small Business Person of the Year by U.S. Small Business Administration

“I am honored to receive the Small Business Person of the Year Award. I share this with the community, my team and a staggering number of New York agencies that have supported me in my career and continue to support the growth of the Tara Kitchen brand. Beginning with Schenectady Metroplex, who assisted with the development of our first restaurant in Schenectady over a decade ago, I thank the City of Schenectady, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp, Empire State Development, New York Small Business Development Center, PURSUIT, SCORE, NYC Small Business Service, Women Entrepreneurs NYC, Troy Business Improvement District, SCORE, PURSUIT and my banking partners at Bank of America, and Capital Bank. I also thank my vendor partners Sysco, Vann’s Spices, Morgan Linen, V.O.S, ELENTY, Southern Glazers and numerous other mentors who have helped along the way including Kathryn Bamberger, Keri Pratico, James Hundt, County Legislator Richard Ruzzo, Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara, Congressman Paul Tonko. It also goes without saying none of it would be possible without the help and support of my amazing family.

First opened in Schenectady in 2012, Tara Kitchen operates six restaurants across New York, New Jersey, and in India. Tara Kitchen’s sauces and spices are available in local stores and supermarkets across the northeast and can be purchased online from tarakitchen.com.

Chef Aneesa Waheed put her stamp on Moroccan cuisine when she fell in love with it during a life-changing trip to Marrakech. Her mastery of sweet and savory flavors and inventive take on Moroccan cuisine has brought her considerable acclaim: She’s earned her spot in Albany Business 40 Under 40, Rising Star Chef, Women who mean Business Award, ICCR Business and Entrepreneurship award, New York State Assembly Women of Distinction etc. and has been featured in several Food TV Network shows including Beat Bobby Flay, Kitchen Crasher’s and Guy Fieri’s Grocery Games.