In 2018, Inder Preet had been working in hospitality for over seven years. At Chatswood Chase’s Pakwaan Indian, Inder was a chef and manager, but when the owners decided to sell the business, Inder realised he was ready to go from employee to employer. “My brother and I decided to take over the business, after we got an offer from the Pakwaan team,” Inder explains. “Finally, we started our own family business under the new trade name Preet Indian in August of 2018.”

Getting a new business off the ground is no small feat, which is why Inder’s wife Raman joined Preet Indian to help manage the operational side of the restaurant. “The whole business depends on myself and my wife, Raman, who takes care of customer service, and is involved in the business’ success by sorting out inquiries from customers, adding new products and setting up pricing,” Inder says. (Raman’s master’s degree in business means she’s well-equipped to handle the running of a busy eatery like Preet Indian.)

Inder already knew which dishes were favourites with their customers, so when it came time to run his own establishment, he stuck to the dishes he knew best. “Our signature dish is butter chicken, which is nut-free, gluten-free, and has a mild taste that is perfect for everyone,” he tells us. “The best-selling dishes at Preet Indian would have to be our butter chicken first, followed by beef vindaloo and then vegetable samosa.” As important as the classics are, Inder and his team are well aware that appealing to a broader audience means being able to tailor traditional dishes to different dietary requirements. “We have so many choices; it depends on the customer's taste buds and whether they want something mild or spicy,” Inder says. “Even if they're looking for something vegetarian or vegan, we always have the options ready to go.” Their most popular vegetarian curry is the Punjabi kadhi which, Inder explains, “is a unique and healthy dish full of turmeric — an ingredient that helps fight infections, reduce inflammation and treat digestive problems.”

Whatever dish you choose, Inder says you can’t leave without trying a piece of their homemade naan. “Our fresh naan makes any meal perfect!” Preet Indian is open from 9:30am to 5:30pm during the week and till 5pm on the weekend.