What prompted you to start Love at First Bite?
Like most kids, I too had a dream. Science has never failed to enlighten me, hence, I took it up as my field of study. However, Love At First Bite came into being, due to my passion for the art and science involved in both, cooking and baking. Also, how could I forget to mention my true inspiration, my mother! It has been four wonderful delicious years of food since then. In fact, I do not consider Love At First Bite as a profession. Instead, it’s a stepping stop towards achieving a dream. I’d like to say, “Eating is a necessity but cooking is an art!” I believe that you do not have to cook fancy and complicated masterpieces. Just good food from fresh ingredients!
Why did you decide to keep it Goan in taste?
Why not! Maka Goa Boray Lakta! Not all the dishes that I have to offer are of Goan origin. However, the variety that I do have to offer is much loved, not only by Goans but also by the locals here in Pakistan. I take much pride in being a Goan and if this is the little that I can do, to spread its spirit around, I’d be very pleased and proud to do so. Viva Goa!!!!
What are some of the popular Goan sweets at your bakery? And do enlighten us about Pakistani specialities there too.
Some of the Goan best sellers include prawn balchao, prawn, fish and crab curries, ambot “ tik, bombil frito, meat ball curry, sorpatel, xacuti, melgor, arroz de camarao, sannas, ale bele and perada. The Pakistani specialities include biryani, karhai, kebabs, haleem, nihari and payas.
Although, you use local spices, you prefer sourcing your spices from Goa. How do you go about this? Do you have a network wherein you can find out whether someone is taking a Goa trip?
If it’s a Goan dish, it requires that tradition ingredients and methods of cooking. Hence, use of the actual ingredients, grown or made in the land itself is always a winner! I don't have a network of any sort. However, we always have family! We request them to bring back some, whenever possible.
How often do you come down to Goa yourself?
The last I visited with family, was in 1999! Yes, a very very very long time back. With the visa issues, it becomes difficult.
While we have heard and read a lot about the active Goan community in Pakistan earlier, could you tell us about the community there now?
We are a minority but stand united as a firm one. Wherever there is a Goan community, family or gathering, there is love, laughter, music and yes, delicious food!
Apart from your bakery are there any other establishments that are keeping the Goan feel alive there?
Most definitely! We have The Karachi Goan Association (K.G.A), The Goan Union Club, and the Goan families that keep the spirit thriving through the Konkani dialect, the fun music, jokes and dancing.
Here in India we have been presented with a picture of Pakistan being this terror place. But could you give us a true picture of what the atmosphere there is really like?
Pakistan, hamara Jann! (Pakistan, our life!) It’s a country of complete dynamic beauty. Its beautiful valleys, high mountains, surging rivers and its values, customs and traditions, all are dear to us. The people are resilient, diverse and most entrepreneurial. We have survived calamities, famines, upheavals, injustices and exploitation and yet retain a sense of humour. We maintain a sense of belonging and identity in our homeland. Pakistan belongs to its people in times of difficulty and natural disasters, we as a nation have always stood tall and helped our fellow countrymen and nothing can shatter the heritage and cultural background that Pakistan holds. Also, nothing can compare to Pakistani cuisine. Whether it is a simple tandoor ki roti with achaar or palak or the intricate biryani with ingredients and spices of all hues, the food is out of this world.
