Food from the streets of Mumbai.. now in Bergen..
When we moved to Bergen about a year back , I had little or no idea that my passion for food would drive me to start my own business! I hold a masters degree in Microbiology with applied components of food production and processing. So the first step after getting here was to apply for a PhD at the University of Bergen to pursue further research in the academic field. But I didn’t realize then how much I would miss Indian food and how much the people here would embrace it and love to indulge in it. The enrollment into PhD didn't happen but that paved the way for pursuing a business for promoting Indian food. As new immigrants wanting to establish a social circle here, we had people (originating from different countries) over for meals almost every weekend. The feedback we received from them was amazing and very encouraging. This led me to explore possibilities of introducing people here to Indian food. And that’s how I came across the various multi cultural activities conducted at Nygårdsparken by many different groups of entrepreneurs. When our first event was posted on the Mat i parken page, it generated an interest of more than 750 people within two weeks and though it was exciting I was equally nervous too because I had never cooked for so many people. With the help of many people who have contributed in numerous ways, the event was a huge hit and that only propelled us further! I am saying "us" because as ambitious as I may get, it would have been impossible for me to do any of it alone! My husband has been a tremendous support for me as well as many friends and acquaintances who have pitched in time and again to help me execute my ideas and make them happen!
Getting to know fruits, vegetables, different grains and spices and understanding what goes into recipes to make any dish the way it is has always drawn my interest. I started experimenting with cooking right from the time I was eight! The first dishes I cooked successfully with a little help from my grandfather were varan-bhaat ( pigeon pea curry with the least of seasonings served with steamed rice, a staple in most Maharashtrian homes) and modak ( steamed dumplings of rice/ wheat flour filled with a sweet filling of coconut and jaggery). My father is as good a cook as my mom and makes awesome jalebis, bhajiyas and has many "signature' dishes. And my Mom is a foodie who learnt to cook quite late but was acquainted with all types of cuisines at her multi-cultural workplace and she is the one who is responsible for making me equally passionate about all types of Indian food. And also being open to experiment with international cuisines. In our home, we enjoy Chole as much as harbaryachi usal or Idli sambhar as much as aamti bhaat. And we also indulge occasionally in au gratins, enchiladas and lasagnes! I also consider myself blessed to be married into a family of foodies who have always appreciated my skills and helped me develop them further and pursue what I love! Being born and brought up in Mumbai, the city that never sleeps has fueled the fire in me to understand and embrace the diversity of cultural heritage that the people who come there from all over India bring along with them. The social fabric of Mumbai is woven from a multitude of fibers each one giving their own unique character to it! And I was more than delighted to find the same here in Bergen. So from the streets of Mumbai to Bergen, the diversity continues....