Riya Narvekar, better known as Hoggilicious, is a Goan food enthusiast and social media influencer with a growing following on various platforms. With her Instagram handle boasting over 10k followers, it is safe to say that she has made a significant mark in the food blogging community.
Born and raised in Merces, a quaint village in Goa, Riya completed her education in microbiology and medical lab technology before embarking on her career as a medical technician at Goa Medical College. However, her passion for food was not to be ignored, as it has been an integral part of her life since childhood.
Riya hails from the Narvekar family, which has been in the restaurant business for decades, running multiple bars and restaurants in and around Panjim. Having grown up in close proximity to the restaurant business, Riya gained valuable insights into the industry’s workings, both positive and negative. Although she never saw herself working in the restaurant business, her love for food remained undiminished, and she continued to explore different types of dishes wherever she went.
Her journey as a food blogger and influencer began quite serendipitously when she joined social media around seven to eight years back. Not knowing what to post, she began sharing pictures of the food she consumed at different restaurants, and that’s when her page took off.
The challenge she faced initially was not being able to stay consistent with her postings and not having enough time to devote to her page. However, she overcame these obstacles by devoting more time and staying updated on the latest trends to get more engagement to her page. Despite not considering this a full-time career, Riya has already achieved a substantial following and intends to keep growing her brand.
One of the most remarkable things about Riya is her humility and her dedication to her work. She attributes her success to her family’s support, particularly her mother Vaishali, who is her biggest pillar of strength. Her father Vivek, too has been incredibly supportive of her endeavors, as has her sister Prachi along with her grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts. She also credits her handful of supportive friends who have always encouraged and believed in her page right from the start. For her, they are always a call away!
Riya’s mantra in life is to work hard and stay consistent in whatever you do. She believes that every person you meet in life will teach you something good or bad, so it is essential to stay kind, observe, and learn. Despite having met and interviewed several celebrities, her dream is to meet Hrithik Roshan someday.
In conclusion, Riya Narvekar, aka Hoggilicious, has proven that following your passion can lead to success, even if it’s not in the traditional sense. Her love for food, combined with her orating skills, has given her a unique platform to share her experiences with fellow food enthusiasts worldwide. Her journey is a testament to the fact that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
