Copyright timesnownews
Walk into the campus of Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) on Bellary Road and you’ll spot something curious. Amid all the science exhibits and sleek architecture stands a gleaming, stainless steel capsule that looks like it might just lift off any moment. But this isn’t a piece of experimental machinery or a museum prop. Instead, it’s ScCuXe (pronounced Scoo-zee) by Henchu — a homegrown food truck-café run entirely by mothers who cook with more intuition than algorithms. What began as a passion project in August has turned into Bengaluru’s latest buzz, with Biocon founder and SGB investor Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw praising it as “an innovative startup created by moms as a food lab” on X (formerly Twitter). And that’s exactly what it feels like — a delicious experiment in love, culture, and community. Where Science Meets ‘Mane Oota’ The story behind ScCuXe is as heart-warming as the meals it serves. It all began when 63-year-old Gayathri Mruthyunjaya, a home cook with decades of experience, decided to turn her kitchen magic into a movement. Encouraged by her children, she teamed up with her son Karthik Aradhya M to create a platform where talented mothers could showcase their culinary skills — and earn from them. Soon, ten mothers (and two supportive men) joined forces, each bringing their own signature dishes to the menu. One mother is the holige queen, another is a pro at crispy dosae, while someone else makes pulav that smells like nostalgia on a plate. The goal? To highlight the diversity of Karnataka’s home-style cuisine, from gojju avalakki to jowar roti and everything in between. A New Menu Every Day, A New Story Every Plate Every day at ScCuXe feels like being invited to someone’s home. The mothers curate a rotating lunch menu that celebrates regional ingredients, heirloom recipes, and the art of slow cooking. Prices start as low as ₹20, making it accessible to everyone — students, visitors, and scientists alike. But this isn’t just about affordability or tradition. As Aradhya explains, the name ScCuXe itself stands for Science, Culture, and Experiment — a philosophy that mirrors the mothers’ intuitive way of cooking. Meals are designed with balance in mind: carbohydrates, proteins, fibre, vitamins, and minerals in every bite, but without compromising the taste that makes you feel instantly at home. Fun fact: The team often ties their dishes to the gallery’s exhibits. For instance, their food coincides with SGB’s Calorie exhibit — blending art, science, and gastronomy into one thoughtful experience. The Perfect Collaboration: Food, Culture, and Science SGB’s Director, Jahnavi Phalkey, found ScCuXe’s ethos perfectly aligned with the gallery’s mission of bringing science back into culture. In her words, “We want people to make informed choices about every aspect of their lives — including the food they eat.” What stands out most for her is the local focus and experimental spirit of the Henchu team. Her personal favourite? A wholesome Karnataka thali with jowar roti, brinjal curry, greens, jhunka, salad, and buttermilk — a meal you’d rarely find in a restaurant but often in your grandmother’s kitchen. From Home Kitchens to Headlines Ever since Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s tweet, ScCuXe has been making waves online. Reels featuring their mothers flipping dosas and plating traditional meals have gone viral, bringing curious foodies and nostalgic locals to the truck. For Gayathri Mruthyunjaya, the attention has been humbling. She says it’s one thing when your children praise your food, but hearing the same from strangers fills you with pride. The response has been so overwhelming that many women have begun reaching out, eager to join the ScCuXe team. What started as ten moms might soon become a culinary movement of hundreds. Who Is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw? To truly appreciate her endorsement, it’s worth knowing who she is. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is one of India’s most respected entrepreneurs and the founder of Biocon, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company based in Bengaluru. Often hailed as India’s biotech queen, she has championed innovation, sustainability, and women-led enterprises for decades. A Taste of Home, Served with Science ScCuXe isn’t just a food truck — it’s a philosophy on wheels. It celebrates the beauty of home-cooked food, the wisdom of mothers, and the science behind every perfectly balanced meal. It’s where nostalgia meets nutrition and where mothers are not just feeding stomachs but shaping stories. And as Gayathri and Karthik put it, this is only the beginning. Their dream is to take mane oota — home food — to the world. Fun Fact: The name Henchu means “pride” in Kannada — a fitting title for a venture that celebrates the quiet strength and culinary brilliance of Indian mothers.
