Behind the Pitch: The magic behind Maazah’s winning ‘magic green sauce’

What exactly is the secret ingredient that makes Maazah’s cilantro and ginger chutney so delectable you can, as one reviewer wrote, “eat it on a shoe"? While the high quality herbs and spices deliver an irresistably bright, mouthwatering flavor combination you simply can’t resist, the hero ingredients are the members of the Sajady family. To Yasameen Sajady, CEO and co-founder of Maazah, their gourmet chutney is so much more than a condiment; It is a glimpse into how her family eats, gathers and celebrates one another.  

At the 2023 Natural Products Expo West Pitch Slam, Sajady took the stage with nine other founders in hopes of winning more than $30,000 in services, including a free booth at the 2024 Natural Products Expo West, from New Hope Network. Presenters had three minutes to share their brand’s story, sales and market data, and future outlooks to a panel of five judges. Immediately following their three-minute pitch, the panel was allotted four minutes for questioning. After clearing the initial semifinalist round, Sajady stood alongside four other finalists for a lightning round before being declared the 2023 Expo West Pitch Slam Winner.   

In a single word, Sajady describes the brand’s journey as an “honor.” Alongside her mom and two sisters, she is on a quest to bring her mom’s recipe to tables across the country in hopes of welcoming more people to experience the love and celebration that are magically integral to both her family and culture. Watch her interview: