The Woman Redefining London’s Lunch Culture While Stepping into Motherhood
A STORY FROM THE LADIES OF CORDEZA
Meet Symron. The force behind London’s hottest new lunch spot, Kaana, and a soon-to-be mother navigating one of the most transformative seasons of her life. Driven and inspired by her heritage and the strong women who came before her, she’s building a life and a brand fueled by purpose and legacy. Kaana stands as far more than a dining destination, it embodies her values, her cultural roots, and her conviction that food can be a powerful vehicle for meaning and connection. Just nine days after the launch of Kaana and 26 weeks into her pregnancy, Symron speaks with a calm sense of optimism and excitement towards her new chapter.
“Growing up my grandad would always say there’s no difference between his son and his daughters, why do men and women have to be treated differently?”
These words became a subtle foundation in her life, influencing how she saw possibility for herself. It’s a sentiment she knows isn’t always common in traditional Asian households, yet her father also embodied it fully, pushing her to take risks and nudging her towards opportunities she might never have reached for, including accepting her offer to Harvard.
For Symron, choosing long-term aspirations over short-term security is a familiar path. Two months after leaving her job at Aesop, a company with strongly supportive maternity policies, Symron discovered she was pregnant. When uncertainty crept in, her Aunt grounded her with a reminder: “You come from a family of women who have shown they can build businesses and can have children. You’re simply carrying on the tradition.”
That sense of purpose and support flows directly into Kaana, “we are privileged to be part of something that is so fundamental to human living, how can we make that as special as possible for people?”
“Hospitality is such an emotional thing. When you’re born, the first thing they do is they wash you, they feed you and they put clothes on you. Feeding is so essential to life. Everyone has to eat.”
At Kaana, Symron has been intentional about crafting an experience that goes beyond food. She wanted the space to feel calm, with carefully curated music and warmer lighting, contrasting to your typical fast-serving, casual dining restaurants across London. She describes the menu as “paying tribute to thali-style of eating, with a little bit of everything” and emphasises the importance of creating a place that “reflects another side to India.”
Less than two weeks after opening, she cherished a moment when a customer told her the dhal tasted like their grandmother’s, a testament to her vision of creating a space of comfort and familiarity.
Symron’s background in the beauty industry taught her the power of brand identity and the value of perfecting small details to shape a more memorable customer experience. “I thought so much about every detail when creating Kaana, even down to finding the exact Pantone of the uniform.”
A deep appreciation for aesthetics has shaped her identity from a young age in both her business and self-presentation. “A lot of my life [clothing] was more about the aesthetic than the function” she admits, “I can’t tell you the amount of shoes I’ve worn where I’ve had major blisters just to look good”.
However, Symron highlights that this mindset has recently evolved into a more holistic philosophy, influenced by both her pregnancy and a broader shift in what women prioritise today.
“If you’re not comfortable and things aren’t practical you’re not going to want to work as hard.”
Her new approach to dressing mirrors Ren Cordeza’s aesthetic of ‘comfortable-chic,’ ensuring that women feel just as good as they look and therefore cultivating a naturally, more confident presence. “Uncomfortable clothes can make you feel less confident,” she adds, “you can’t enjoy being in that outfit.”
Symron highlights a key aspect of modern dressing where clothes act as an extension of the self not a distraction; when you feel physically at ease with what you’re wearing, it can transform the way you carry yourself.
A theme that has remained constant throughout Symron’s life is the importance of surrounding herself with a network of people that uplift and support her ambitions. While this isn’t something everyone is fortunate enough to have from the start, she stresses that “your network isn’t limited, it’s never been easier to meet new people. There are so many amazing communities out there, you just need to have the confidence and self-belief to sign-up.”
To those looking to start something new, Symron highlights the importance of gaining real experience, especially in a society where it’s often overlooked, and where competition can push people to rush into starting businesses or making long-term decisions simply to keep up.
This is a message that can be applied to all aspects of life, not just to those looking to step into the world of entrepreneurship.
Surround yourself with those that elevate you, and if they’re not already in your life, go out and seek them.