Saffron Valley | Our Story

From Andhra Pradesh to Your Table

Saffron Valley began with a six-year-old girl watching her mother cook in Southern India — and grew into one of Utah's most celebrated Indian dining destinations.

A Kitchen in Andhra Pradesh

Young Lavanya Mahate watched her mother and kitchen helper Kanthama grind spices by hand and build curries from scratch each morning in Andhra Pradesh. Those early memories planted the seed for everything Saffron Valley would become.

One Country, Many Cuisines

India isn't one flavor — it's hundreds, shaped by coastlines, climates, and centuries of regional tradition. Lavanya's time in Andhra Pradesh, Pune, and Delhi gave her firsthand fluency in the full spectrum, from crispy dosas to rich North Indian curries.

A Farmers Market Leap of Faith

After moving to Salt Lake City in 2001, Lavanya debuted handcrafted spice blends at the Downtown Farmers' Market in 2010. By 2011, the first Saffron Valley had opened in South Jordan — today there are five locations across the valley.

Beyond the Dining Room

Through Saffron Kitchen — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — and the RISE Culinary Institute, Lavanya channels the brand's resources into culinary training for refugees, because she believes food is a path to livelihood, not just pleasure.

What You'll Find Here

Guests come for the weekend buffets and stay for the chai that tastes exactly like the railway-side cups from India. Every dish is made from scratch, every day — just as Lavanya learned all those years ago.

Our Journey

2001
Lavanya moved from Chennai, India to SLC, UT.
2002 - 2010
Worked at the Salt Lake Chamber of commerce.
2010
East The Easta Pantry line of spice blends launched at the SLC Farmers Market.
2011
First Saffron Valley Indian Street Food Cafe in South Jordan, UT.
2013
Saffron Valley East India Café opens in the Avenues, SLC, UT.
2016
Biscotts Bakery & Cafe and Dhanya Spices & Groceries open in South Jordan, UT.
2017
The 3rd Saffron Valley restaurant opens in Sugar House, SLC, UT.
2018
Saffron Kitchen is established as a 501c3.
Saffron Valley opens a satellite location on the U of U campus.
AND BEYOND...
Bring Indian food to mainstream.
Give back to the community.