Meet Kanak Sabnekar, Co-Owner at Tikka Talk – Omaha (omaha.tikkatalkusa.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Tikka Talk is all about bringing the bold, authentic flavors of Indian fusion food to the Midwest. What started as a passion for fusion food has grown into a food truck that celebrates India’s rich culinary heritage. We take pride in serving fresh, flavorful dishes made with love. From sizzling tikkas to fragrant curries, our menu is crafted to deliver a true taste of India fusion food on the go.
How did you get started in the business? – Tikka Talk started from a deep love for Indian fusion food and a desire to share authentic, home-cooked flavors with the Midwest. The idea of a food truck came from wanting to make these flavors more accessible and bringing fresh, flavorful Indian dishes straight to the people, rather than waiting for them to find us. What started as a small venture in Des Moines, IA quickly grew into something bigger, and today, we’re proud to be serving Iowa and Omaha with the same passion and authenticity that inspired us from the start.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced professionally is balancing multiple responsibilities while working a full time job and running my own food truck business. Another challenge has been hiring and retaining the right talent for the food truck. Finding reliable team members who align with the vision and ensuring smooth operations has been a learning experience.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – One of our proudest achievements at Tikka Talk has been the rapid growth we’ve experienced. Less than a year after opening our first food truck in Des Moines, we expanded to Omaha and opened our second location. The success of the first truck exceeded our expectations, and the demand for our authentic Indian street food in Omaha was clear. Opening the second food truck so quickly was a big milestone for us.
Tell us a little about your family. – My family lives in India, and although we’re spread across different cities, we stay closely connected through regular calls and visits.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – One of the biggest turning points in my life was deciding to open Tikka Talk while having a full time job. It was a leap of faith, trying to pursue something more personal and creative along with managing a full time job.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – On a day off, my favorite thing to do is spend time with family and friends, and play recreational/competitive volleyball.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – One unique thing about me is how I balance two very different passions—working in tech and running a food truck.
Who inspires you? – I’m inspired by Steve Jobs. His vision, innovation and relentless pursuit of excellence have always motivated me.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – One organization that stands out to me is Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha. Their mission to end hunger in our region resonates with me deeply, especially as I’m in the food industry and recognize the importance of access to healthy meals.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – admin@tikkatalkomaha.com