Shef’s Fiery Kitchen: A Passionate Beginning
I’m Shefali “Shef” Somani, born in Tanzania to Indian parents. From an early age, I was captivated by the art of cooking—much of which I learned at my mother’s side. I also come from a long line of entrepreneurs and loved listening to my father discuss business at the dining table, so I always knew I’d start a venture of my own one day.
Education was my first priority: I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Lethbridge and later returned to school to study Multimedia. Although I worked in these fields for a time, my path took a transformative turn in 2001 when I enrolled in a five-day cooking course in Thailand. Inspired by the vibrant flavors and authenticity I experienced there, I felt a calling to share these tastes with a broader audience—and that’s how Shef’s Fiery Kitchen began.
In 2003, I started small, selling my dishes at pop-up markets, catering events, and even teaching cooking classes in clients’ homes. By 2007, I teamed up with my sister, Sharon Somani, to launch a stall at The Calgary Farmers’ Market, where we built a loyal customer base. Driven by a desire to make our food more accessible, we partnered with Calgary Co-op in 2013, bringing our curries to their freezer section and expanding our reach throughout the city.
Today, Shef’s Fiery Kitchen remains rooted in the same passion that first inspired me: a deep love of cooking, a fascination with diverse regional cuisines, and a commitment to delivering authentic, memorable flavors to food lovers everywhere.