When The Guardian explored the secrets of beginning again later in life, Mamma Spice was among the inspiring “late bloomers” featured. Having turned her lifetime of knowledge and love of spices into a thriving business following retirement, Shashi shares why it is never too late to pursue a new idea, discover a fresh sense of purpose or begin an entirely unexpected chapter.

Just ahead of the launch of our first cookery book, Sanjay and Shashi joined journalist Winnifred Robinson on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours for a special Gap Finders interview. We were incredibly nervous, but Winnifred was so warm and lovely that she soon put us at ease. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the story of how Spice Kitchen began, how our small family idea grew into a business and what it meant to be preparing to send our very first book out into the world.

InBig in America, presenter Alex Polizzi followed Sanjay and Shashi as they took Spice Kitchen across the Atlantic to explore whether our colourful spice tins could find a home with American retailers. From sharing the story behind our family business to pitching the range to potential distributors, the episode captures all the excitement, nerves and uncertainty of taking a much-loved British brand into an enormous new market.