Meet JJ Jauhar | Co-founder & Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with JJ Jauhar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JJ, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I’d say the biggest factor behind the success of Ayur Ras is being a people person, through and through. I was born in India but raised in New York, and that upbringing really shaped me. I learned early on how to cut through the noise and get to what really matters—what people need, what they’re looking for—and deliver it. I’m old school in that way. No fluff, just real service and care.

For me, it’s always about building genuine relationships. Every client is treated like family, and I’m hands-on from start to finish. That starts with the very first call, where I really listen to what they’re envisioning. Then through tastings, menu development, cooking, and even how we serve at the event, I’m there making sure everything feels personal.

That personal touch is everything. Clients feel that I’m invested in them, not just their event or their meal, but in making sure they feel taken care of every step of the way. My love for service and my respect for the client is what drives this business. That mindset has helped Ayur Ras grow from word-of-mouth in the early days to what it is now. I bring my New York honesty and hustle into every interaction. I think people appreciate that.

What should our readers know about your business?
Ayur Ras is a full-service catering and daily meal delivery company rooted in the Ayurvedic philosophy that food is medicine. We bring the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda into modern kitchens, combining authentic Indian flavors, farm-fresh ingredients, and a focus on wellness to create food that heals and satisfies. Our clients come to us because they want something deeper than just good food, they want care, intention, and an experience that feels meaningful.

What really sets us apart is the way we show up for people. We don’t just drop off food and leave. We’re often helping run the flow of an event, collaborating with planners, and making sure the client feels completely supported, like they have a trusted partner in the process. Even with our daily meal service, it’s about more than just delivery. We take the time to understand our clients’ health goals, doshas, and lifestyles, so we can create meals that feel tailored to them.

What I’m most proud of right now is how we’ve grown without losing that personal touch. We’ve redesigned our brand, strengthened our social media presence, and made it easier for people to find and connect with us online. But no matter how much we grow, everything still comes back to quality and relationships.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. In the early years, it was all word of mouth, building a reputation one client at a time, earning trust. Now, the challenge is managing a growing team, staying active on social media, and keeping the kitchen running smoothly all at once. But I’ve learned that consistency wins. If you keep showing up and taking care of people, the business takes care of itself.

What I want people to know is this: Ayur Ras is about love and service. It’s about creating something I’d be proud to serve my own family, and extending that same level of care to every client who trusts us with their meals, their weddings, or their events.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It’s hard to say! There are just so many options in this city, especially when it comes to food! It really depends on what my guest is into. LA is full of incredible restaurants, food trucks, and hole-in-the-wall spots, all worth checking out. I’m in the Valley now, but we used to live in Playa del Rey, so I always like taking visitors to the beach. You really can’t beat a California sunset. We love walking our dog there with friends and family. I’ll also say, Culver City is a great spot for a night of good drinks and food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt, my mom, ReikiGuru Jyotika. She deserves all the credit in my story. She’s not only my mother but also my biggest mentor and inspiration. A lot of what I know about food, service, and healing comes from her. She taught me that food isn’t just something you cook, it’s something you offer with love and intention. Watching her dedicate her life to helping others heal, whether through Reiki or through her mastery of Ayurvedic cooking, gave me the foundation for Ayur Ras. Even now, I call her for advice on ingredients, on doshas, on how to handle clients with care. Her influence is at the heart of everything I do.

I also have to recognize my wife Kat and my daughter McKayla. They inspire me to keep pushing and to grow this business, to connect with more families in the city, and to keep striving for excellence. Every day, they remind me why it’s so important to provide the best for the families who use our meal service and our catering. I want the same quality, care, and nourishment for them that I want for my own family. Knowing that what I do helps other families live healthier, happier lives is what keeps me motivated.

So this is for them, my mom, my wife, and my daughter, the three people who keep me grounded, inspired, and committed to serving others.

Website: https://www.ayurras.com

Instagram: @ayur_ras

Facebook: Ayur Ras Healing Foods

Yelp: Ayur Ras Healing Foods

Image Credits
Ross Bergen Photography, JJ Jauhar