LONDON
Two singing sisters and two pastry chefs hailing from Goa have received rare commendations from the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom H.E Vikram Doraiswami, for their outstanding presentations at two recent celebrations hosted by the High Commission of India (HCI) in London.
While Lanisha and Delisha Vaz enthralled a huge gathering by singing Alfred Rose’s Konkani song “Ami Soglim Ek” during the 75th Republic Day celebration at the HCI in London on January 26, Clanny Rodrigues prepared a two-tier Christmas cake and Sergio Dias prepared a Goan Bebinca at the HCI’s annual Christmas reception on December 12.
This is a rare occasion that Goans have received a commendation from the HCI and all these commendations were presented on the recommendation of Clayton Barreto, the only Goan who serves as Social Secretary to the High Commissioner of India in London.
LANISHA AND DELISHA VAZ
In its certificate of appreciation which was presented to Delisha and Lanisha Vaz, the High Commissioner of India appreciated their “outstanding performance” during the Republic Day celebrations at the High Commission of India on January 26.
(From L to R): Clayton Barreto, Social Secretary to the High Commissioner of India in London, Delisha Vaz, Lanisha Vaz and Pascoal Vaz.
On behalf of the High Commissioner, Clayton Barreto invited Lanisha and Delisha, who were accompanied by their father, Pascoal, to the HCI on February 9 and handed over the certificates of appreciation to the two sisters.
Stating that this was a great honour from the High Commission of India, Lanisha and Delisha in their Facebook message expressed their gratitude to Clayton Barreto “for his relentless efforts and commitment and for getting all the required approval, and for promoting Konkani Mai bhas.”
When contacted, Barreto said that given the overwhelming appreciation to their performance, he had felt it appropriate to put forward a recommendation to the High Commissioner to issue a certificate of appreciation to the Vaz sisters.
“I first discussed this with authorities concerned and on their approval put this up the High Commissioner, who had been present at the event and witnessed the performance of the Vaz sisters. He immediately agreed to my request and promptly issued these certificates of appreciation,” said Barreto.
SERGIO DIAS
Barreto stated that the High Commissioner was impressed with the exclusive Goan bebinca prepared by Sergio Dias, considered one of the best Bebinca makers in London, at the HCI’s Christmas reception.
“I had proposed the Goan bebinca and got it on the menu as one of the desserts. The High Commissioner acknowledged that the Goan bebinca was outstanding and delicious. Knowing that he has tasted various desserts, his interest in the Goan bebinca fascinated me. The High Commissioner later issued a certificate of appreciation to Dias and I presented the certificate to him on behalf of the High Commissioner,” said Barreto.
Clayton Barreto, Social Secretary to the High Commissioner of India in London (left), along with Sergio Dias (right).
When contacted, Sergio Dias said he was very pleased that his Goan bebinca was given a very high rating and was appreciated by the High Commissioner.
“This recognition has helped raised my marketing profile status, as the volume of sales for my seven-layered Bebica has increased,” said Dias.
CLANNY RODRIGUES
The other person who was also acknowledged by the High Commissioner was Clanny Rodrigues, Head Pastry Chef at The Middle Eight Hotel, Holburn-London, who baked two-tier Christmas cake at the HCI’s Christmas reception. 
High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom H.E Vikram Doraiswami (left) along with Clanny Rodrigues (right).
In his letter of appreciation to Rodrigues, H.E Vikram Doraiswami stated: “Thank you for the delicious Christmas cake that you catered specially for our High Commission's Christmas Reception! Your craftsmanship truly made the cake a spectacular centrepiece for our celebration.”
“Your contribution to our Christmas Reception made it a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone present. I know I speak for all guests when I tell you that the cake was testimony to your culinary skills. If the proof of any pudding lies in the eating, the fact that the cake was polished off at high speed is eloquent evidence of its quality.”
Barreto said Rodrigues had baked an exquisite and customised Christmas cake, which was beyond their expectation as the presentation and taste was truly outstanding.
“The High Commissioner truly appreciated Clanny’s Christmas Cake and insisted on the need to acknowledge his efforts. He invited Clanny to the HCI and presented him with a gift as a token of his appreciation. I later presented the certificate to Clanny on behalf of the High Commissioner,” said Barreto.
When contacted, Rodrigues said felt very honoured to have received the certificate of appreciation from H.E Vikram Doraiswani.
“The High Commissioner of India thanked me for the beautiful cake I prepared for the Christmas function. I feel proud to have received such an honour from India’s highest office in London for my professional job,” said Rodrigues, who was the 1st runner up in UK’s famous TV series ‘Bake Off The Professionals’ in 2020.
“His Excellency Mr Doraiswani said he was proud to see how our Indian professionals have achieved such high standards. He liked the cake presentation and taste.”
GOAN CULTURE, CUISINE
Barreto said he has been keen to promote Goan cuisine and culture in the UK.
“Goans are very talented and have been earning fame and are being recognised in various fields here in the UK. I have been keen to promote their talents, art and skills wherever and whenever I can, and I have only given our talented Goans a platform to shine,” said Barreto.
“I’m proud of our Goans who have been recognised by the HCI. All those Goans I had recommended, be it in song, dance and cuisine, have excelled and have outperformed in their presentation”.
