A BOWL OF HAPPINESS

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade! When it gives you an opportunity to provide food for underprivileged children, we Gentlemen at Relish Unique Dining & Bartook the opportunity with both hands to serve our community. It’s been a great privilege be part of this amazing work from SHISHUBHAVAN charity in Goa and provide gourmet dishes twice a week, not only to the children of Shishu Bhavan but also their parents.

The journey of feeding the VILLAGE OF JOY (because that is exactly what it is!) started when India went into immediate lockdown due to COVID 19, without any notice for the people. Resources, particularly food was not available for days and when some items slowly became available, it was inaccessible to those that had no private transport to collect or even money to buy that, which was available.

The impact of this for the poorer people was monumental. Not only do they already live hand to mouth but they were then not even able to continue to provide their services as daily workers for the little money they would receive, to even buy any food that they could find.

Relish Unique Dining & Bar were already beginning to do daily food drops for the stray dogs and it was at this point that the CEO, Kevin and his wife Connie of SHISHUBHAVAN approached Natalie and Ito see if we would also like to assist the Charity and of course of journey begun.

While SHISHUBHAVAN was initially established to help disadvantaged children primarily move into the education system, due to COVID-19 the Charity saw the need to adjust their primary mission (given that the school was closed and not operating) and support the children and their families with food and essentials. Further, SHISHUBHAVAN thought it paramount to give the people some joy and love by not just providing food items but giving them restaurant cooked food and a worthy experience. Since the beginning of lockdown we at Relish Unique Dining & Bar have done everything possible to ensure that we cook and deliver our best dishes twice a week to those in need.

As the owner of Relish Unique Dining & Bar cannot verbalize enough of how proud I am of the team and what a wonderful job they have done. The team is so excited to be a part of this initiative and still maintain the same enthusiasm as they did from day one. The people we serve have become part of our family and it is something we look forward to every week.

So on that note it is time to meet the TEAM of Relish Unique & Bar!!!

Let us begin with:

PURAN RANA.

He is a 36 year old who lives in Parra with his wife and 6 year-old daughter. He has been part of the Relish team for over 3 years. He has a good understanding of the local interior roads and holds a valid driving licence (which is a luxury as most of the staff don’t have one!). Puran’s main job is resourcing and providing the ingredients and products to our businesses along with another one of our members Som Chettri. In addition he provides table service in the evenings, ensuring that everyone is satisfied and taken care of.

Puran is an extremely dedicated, hard working member of the team and is definitely a favourite of the customers! He speaks fluent English, Hindi as well as other national languages.

SOM CHETTRI.

Som is the Manager of The Street Café our other establishment. He is a man of many talents - nothing is too much for him and there is nothing he can’t do. He is definitely a night owl and often works throughout the night to accommodate customers and their demands. If there is one word for Som it is resourceful! He is a great problem solver, has an incredible reputation and is well liked by the team and customers.

Som has been part of the Relish team for over 4 years and is a priceless asset to The Street Café, the Relish team and is an active participant in the food distribution. He speaks fluent English, Hindi and other national languages and we couldn’t do it without him!

ARIF KHAN.

He is definitely the man of every hour at Relish Unique Dining & Bar, I cannot describe his contribution in words, I will try. He is the pillar and foundation of not only Relish but all 3 businesses. Nothing is too much to ask and if we have managed to send hot, tasty and healthy food week in and week out without fail, major credit goes to Arif Khan.

He is a very determined individual and has been committed to the businesses since day one. This same dedication and attentions shown towards the food distribution. He takes pride and utmost care in everything he does to provide amazing dishes every time. He is shy of the camera hence you don’t see many of his photos. In this, I would like to acknowledge, appreciate and be greatly thankful to Chef Arif Khan and his team.

JAYDEB DAS.

Second Chef in command is Jaydeb. Jaydeb has been part of Relish for the last 6 years. He is a mutli talented Chef and has massive fan following on the TikTok app. He is our showman and always first to get up and dance or sing at our staff parties, HE SETS THE TONE. Jaydeb has been dedicated to the food distribution and is fundamental to the operation and logistics since the beginning. He has made many little friends at VILLAGE OF JOY and they love to see him there and is received with much love. I am very grateful for his loyalty and commitment to stay with us in this hour of need, instead of heading home because of lockdown. He takes so much pride (as does everyone), to be part of the food distribution and it is clearly visible with his actions.

AVINASH PASWAN.

Now what can I say about our own Lalu (big one of course – a story for another time)! Avinash is only 22 years of age, yet he is mature, reliable and brings so much energy into the team. Avinash applied to work with us over 3 years ago through a recommendation of his Uncle (Bittu) (whom was also part of the team way back when) and over this time we have seen Avinash develop into managerial material and become an essential member to the success of our businesses. The pride, enthusiasm, professionalism and entrepreneur style he brings with him to work every day is just invaluable and we are proud to support his development in the industry. He has a smile to kill, a great sense of humour and is great with people. The children we support love to see him and everyone in his presence feels happy. It is definitely a sight to see and he is one to meet!

KIRANMASCAREHNAS AND BABULALKARKI

Kiran Mascarehnas and Babulal Karki are the two towers of Relish Unique Dining & Bar. They do absolutely everything in the business, except the cooking! Their talents extend to accounting, background essentials to front of the house service and resolving customer and business issues. They are both so humble and calm and make any work, easy. They are a wonder to watch and joy to work with.

Kiran has been with Relish since day one as a cashier, bar tender, biller, accountant and marketing guru and is one who will stay late at night at work to ensure everything is done and in order. He started his work when he was 17 and for me he is like the younger brother I never had.

Babulal is another gem in the crown as he sparkles bright between the rest with his calming personality. He has always been a torchbearer for the gentlemen of Relish as the rest of the gang look at him for guidance when needed. He has over 25 years of expertise and is a natural leader. We rely on Babulal to lead the team, ensure diligence in the environment and we have the upmost trust in him and his abilities. He is methodical in his work, a conscientious individual and he is definitely another treasure to have in the team. We are lucky to have him. In addition to his pleather of skills, he speaks fluent English, Hindu and other national languages.

VIJENDER SINGH

Another important member of the food distribution team is Vijender. He is responsible for keeping the place and equipment clean. In Indian culture, a dishwashers considered as an untouchables’ job (“low-end” position). We would like to hope that this pandemic has at least demonstrated the importance of those that ensure the cleanliness of an establishment. He is another invaluable asset to the team and always comes to work with a cheerful and happy disposition. He does his job with pride and is very diligent with all that he does. He is willing to go above and beyond and we feel blessed that he came into our team. We believe that the above members are the fingers and Vijender is the thumb, as everyone needs him and It couldn’t function or work without him.

Last but not least, how could I finish without writing about me and my rock☺..….

(sorry I meant Diamond!), My wife Natalie Lazenby co-owner of The Street Cafe and my heart and soul, has loved being part of the food distribution and the VILLAGE OF JOY. Everyone loved her for her physical involvement, (however short of time she was there) and she is fondly remembered for her presence on the very special day of the RAMADAN festival.

While Natalie is now unable to physically assist with the food distribution, she continues her involvement by being extremely active in raising money for the Charity and has done a huge amount of advertising on social media and spreading the word of this cause.

Myself: Vinny - Chef, entrepreneur, restaurant owner of Relish Unique Dining & Bar, Mango Goan Cuisine & Bar and co-owner of The Street Café and 7x24 Local Convenience store.

I have worked in restaurants since I was 16 and have enjoyed it ever since. Being from family of “professionals” I was the only one in my generation that chose to become an entrepreneur and not follow the family and cast path. I am considered the black sheep of the family but I like to be known as the “Turtle” because once I am in sea of life there was no looking back. Having worked in various parts of India loving and studying every custom, culture & cuisine, I believe I am learning the lessons of life from the best teacher called “LIFE” and I am living it to its fullest.

My passion for food began at a very early age from helping my grandmother in her small café, watching the females of the house provide dishes to our large family and the village at festival time to looking forward to attending festivals for the food! Since then, not only have I established various food businesses, provided cooking lessons, created an online persona as “Curry King Vinny”, I have had the privilege to meet some amazing and supportive friends along the way who have supported me in challenging times and have helped realise and maintain my dreams. Oh and how could I forget, none of this would have been possible if I didn’t have Blu, (a thoroughbred Labrador and who was a superstar dog and loved by all) and now I have his shadow of a dog Bailey and a recently rescued puppy called Dobby. If I had to sum myself up in one sentence it would be “LIVING THE DREAM only A LITTLE BIT MORE “.

Relish Unique Dining & Bar is proud to be part of this amazing work being done by SHISHU BHAVAN for the children and parents at the VILLAGE OF JOY and we will pledge to continue to do so. All of us gentlemen at Relish including the “fur babies” would like to say massive thank you to Kevin and Connie for providing us this amazing opportunity in such dismal times. It has become like a weekend for us as we all are excited to do the cooking and distribution.

In summary, we are so grateful. There is so much joy, laughter, gratitude and sincerity in each and every visit and we encourage everyone to become a part of this incredible Charity and journey.

As my late friend Joe Bonner would say MAY THERE BE MANY MORE.

Thanking you

Vinny, Natalie, the Relish team and fur babies!

CONTACT DETAILS

Phone: +919689131234 / +919822137303

Email: info@relishmango.com / currykingvinny@gmail.com

Social Media:

Facebook: Curry King Vinny

Instagram: indiancurryvinny

Twitter: @curry_vinny

Businesses:

Relish Unique Dining & Bar, Relish Cooking Lessons, The Street Café, Mang Goan Cuisine & Bar, 7x24 Local Convenience Store, Goa, India.

Website: www.relishmango.com