This time Mrs. Perizaad Zorabian, Managing Director, Zorabian Chicken take us to her father, Late Mr. Khoram Zorabian journey and share a fond memory paying to tribute to her father
1. Was he originally from Mumbai?
Yes, my father Khoram Zorabian was born and brought up in Mumbai. He lost his father at the tender age of 8 and was raised by an extremely strong and resilient mother who single-handedly raised seven children.
His mother described him as bold, brave, and a go-getter. From a very young age, he was someone who spread love wherever he went—very close to the meaning of his real Persian name Khudamorad, which means Son of God.
2. Why did he choose poultry as a profession?
My father was a completely self-made man. Coming from very humble beginnings, he started young, helping his family during summer breaks at their family-owned dairy farm and bakery.
Although he studied law, Dad always enjoyed the thrill of entrepreneurship. He first started a bakery, then opened a restaurant in Bandra called Gondola. His love for the hospitality business led him to plan a resort in Khapoli, but he did not get the NOC for it.
Never allowing setbacks to stop him, he decided to start a poultry farm, realizing there was a huge gap in the market for good quality chicken. With a clear vision, he built Zorabian to be a niche premium producer of high-quality chicken.
3. What kept him motivated throughout his journey?
My father’s single obsession and passion was that Zorabian would be the first name anyone thought of when they thought of high-quality chicken.
His desire to ensure zero compromise on quality was his driving force. For him, it was never about scale or numbers, but about being the best. He built a company that epitomizes quality, integrity, and trust.
He was also passionate about food, and his dream was to launch a ready-to-cook range of chicken products that were great in taste, healthy, and made from 100% wholesome meat.
4. What was the best thing he liked in his journey?
My father was a people person. He loved meeting people, surrounding himself with the best and most learned, and constantly learning from them.
He was one of the first to adopt environmentally controlled sheds in India and built a state-of-the-art processing plant. He also had the vision to create his own distribution network, delivering chicken in branded, preservative-free bags using temperature-controlled vehicles—an unheard-of concept at the time.
Soon, Zorabian became the trusted supplier for quality-conscious companies and modern retail chains.
What he loved most was the wonderful people he met, who helped shape him and the company. He also cherished his team, whom he considered his extended family, and felt joy in seeing them and their families prosper.
5. As compared to other big players, how did he feel Zorabian was different?
My father only competed with himself. His focus was always on providing a quality product and delighting customers.
He made decisions with zero insecurity and zero compromise. As his daughter, I admired that most about him. Today, Zorabian can command a premium price for its products only because of this uncompromising stand.
6. Please tell us about his family.
Our mother Firoza was his childhood sweetheart, an exceptional woman, and his greatest strength through good times and bad.
They had three children: Perizaad, Sohrab, and Shazaad.
- Sohrab successfully ran the catering and hospitality business.
- Shazaad returned from America in 2000, joined his father, and strengthened farming operations. Under his guidance, Zorabian became a fully vertically integrated farm with breeder farms, feed mill, processing plant, ready-to-cook plant, and distribution network. His passion for responsible farming made Zorabian a green company, focused on recycling and sustainability.
- I, Perizaad, joined in 2007, leading sales, marketing, and retail operations. Together with Shazaad managing farming, Zorabian grew under Dad’s leadership into Mumbai’s preferred chicken brand for quality-conscious customers in both B2B and B2C.
7. What did he think about his organization being a leading name in the poultry industry?
He was extremely proud that under his guidance, Zorabian became a trusted and leading brand in the premium niche segment of poultry, despite remaining mid-sized by choice.
He took pride in the company’s initiatives in animal welfare, environmental sustainability, farmer welfare, and employee welfare—causes he was deeply passionate about.
8. What was his dream as the next generation entered the business?
His dream was simple: he wanted his children to be happy, to take his legacy forward, and grow at their own pace.
He never imposed anything but expected only that we remain the best and take care of the loyal people who built the brand. He also wanted us to continue positively impacting villages around us—growing not only great chicken but also uplifting lives.
9. What was his favourite food?
My father was a great foodie and loved:
- Akoori breakfasts
- Dhansak lunches
- Samosa, vada pav, and misal pav
- Sausages and salami
Whenever he traveled abroad, his suitcases were filled with food products. His dream was that Zorabian’s sausages and salami would be world-class—and today, I truly believe they are.
10. What were his hobbies?
Dad loved sports, especially football, tennis, and cricket.
He was passionate about building, gardening, farming, and acquiring land. If not for poultry, he would have been a real estate tycoon.
11. What qualities best describe Mr. Khoram Zorabian?
My father was a legend in every way—
- Bindaas, large-hearted, fearless
- A dreamer and a go-getter
- Someone who lived a full life driven by love—for family, his company, and his people.
His greatest legacy is not just the incredible company he built but the goodwill and relationships he left behind. Today, as we continue his journey in poultry, we remain humbled by the encouragement and guidance of industry stalwarts who knew and respected him, and who help us carry his legacy forward with pride and honor.