Wine & Dine
Textual content and Pictures by Mallika Chandra.
Kunal Makhija, 27
Arabisque
Location: Mahim
Speciality: Center Japanese
Kunal, inform me just a little about your journey as a chef.
I developed an curiosity in cooking round 2007 because of my father’s restaurant in Dubai and after education there, I used to be fairly certain that this was what I wished to pursue. I accomplished the culinary speciality programme on the Institute of Resort Administration in Aurangabad after which interned at Taj West Finish, Bengaluru for a 12 months. I used to be fortunate sufficient to additionally intern at Gaggan in Bangkok (now shut) for 2 months, following which I labored at Indigo Deli in Colaba for a 12 months.
A batchmate, who had additionally been my roommate from school, referred to as me in the future and requested, “Do you need to come to Dubai?” I had been on the lookout for a change at that time. So, I labored at a number of locations in Dubai, together with a Lebanese restaurant the place I learnt most of what I do at the moment. Earlier than I moved to Mumbai, the final place I labored at was a superb eating restaurant by the title of London Undertaking.
How did you get into the cloud kitchen enterprise?
I had all the time wished to start out one thing of my very own. Throughout the lockdown, I had seen lots of residence kitchens developing and I believed I’d give it a strive. It was not a really calculated transfer, to be trustworthy. It was a leap of religion.
How did you set collectively the idea, the menu, the title?
I need to give credit score to my household and to my girlfriend as a result of whereas it might appear as if I’m the one one who handles the model, they’re the spine.
My grandmother let me work out of her kitchen and offered me with a base for one 12 months. My dad and mom, who reside in Dubai, had been very supportive. A variety of my components nonetheless come from Dubai, like za’atar powder, sumac and fava beans which we use for our falafel and it was my father who discovered the very best sources for these. My brother and sister-in-law look into the funds of the corporate. So everybody has helped me to get the place I’m at the moment. The title was recommended by my brother.
Does your loved ones nonetheless play a really energetic function?
Every time I need to add one thing new on my menu, my members of the family are the primary to style it. My grandmother was my official hummus taster, and I wish to consider that I by no means get any complaints as a result of she tasted each batch. I usually focus on future plans with my brother.
Regardless of the help, it should be difficult to juggle each roles — of chef and proprietor?
After I was working for another person, I used to be answerable for a bit. Now, I’m answerable for all the model — from sourcing of components and prep to coaching of employees and advertising and marketing.
An enormous side of operating a cloud kitchen is having a stable social media presence.
I underestimated the ability of social media. I assumed I may deal with the meals and the whole lot else would fall into place. Two years in, I realised that it’s greater than 50 per cent of the sport. Personally, I’m not very energetic on social media in order that’s been one change since my journey as an entrepreneur. Getting your title out there may be troublesome. That is the place my girlfriend comes into the image; she has an excellent sense of aesthetics. I’ve finished picture shoots previously however individuals have instructed me to start out clicking photos in actual time. I deal with that now.
Cooking the meals, then again, has been simple. That’s what I’m educated in. However once more, we hold updating the menu. Typically, I strive one thing on a Tuesday, get it tasted by Wednesday, and put it up as a particular by Friday for the weekend. It helps hold me on my toes. However truthfully, that little house I’ve created wouldn’t exist with out the shoppers. They’ve been brutally trustworthy which I actually admire.
What sort of perception has interacting along with your viewers offered when it comes to the hole Arabisque fills available in the market?
I’ve finished my education in Dubai and I used to be not pleased with the Center-Japanese meals that was obtainable in Mumbai. I did see an enormous distinction within the style and value factors in what was provided right here. There have been manufacturers that served rolls after which there have been superb eating Lebanese eating places. There was nothing within the center. I felt that was an excellent phase for me to focus on. In order that’s the place Arabisque suits in. It’s good-quality meals at good costs.
How do you keep requirements across the freshness of the meals?
We produce in restricted portions. We will serve numerous clients if want be, however the whole lot’s made to order. We make hummus 5 or 6 occasions a day. We attempt to make the whole lot from scratch. Our breads — pita bread, the entire wheat pita, pide dough, manakish dough — are made in-house and to order.
Did it’s a must to do lots of trials?
It took lots of trial and error. Though I had a recipe for the bread from my time in Dubai, I needed to tweak it to go well with the local weather right here. A variety of trials went into the hummus as nicely.
Does the delicacies go well with the supply mannequin?
Because the lockdown, I’ve noticed that folks have come to phrases with the truth that there may be going to be a distinction between consuming in a restaurant and having meals delivered to your house. Since I get lots of direct orders, I attempt to think about the space that the meals has to journey. For instance, falafel, which is fried, tends to get soggy. So, if an individual is at a distance from my kitchen, I ship it half fried, if they’re okay with ending the dish at residence.
Have you ever been capable of handle a work-life steadiness?
I’m nonetheless making an attempt to determine a work-life steadiness. I’m not saying I’m a workaholic however work is all the time on my thoughts, which I’m not very happy with. My work hours are pretty first rate — from midday to 10 pm. Typically it might imply that I attain late for a social dedication, however I do attempt to make it. It’s a part of the sport.
In culinary school, they inform you on day one that you just’re going to be working when everybody’s having fun with themselves. You’ll be able to say goodbye to celebrating all of the festivals. I do miss it and my household do miss me being there, however I’m more than pleased to be in my kitchen or at a catering get together as a result of that’s the time that you just get most of your online business.
How are you serious about the expansion and scale of your online business sooner or later? What are your metrics for achievement?
I do need to make a reputation for myself. In case you consider Lebanese meals, I need to be among the many first 5 names that pop up in your head. In order that’s the purpose.
How are you influencing individuals’s concepts of what Lebanese meals is?
Even after we exit to eat in Dubai, I see the vast majority of individuals ordering hummus and falafel, not a lot else. However there’s much more that the delicacies has to supply. What I’ve finished with Arabisque is that I’ve stored the classics however I’ve additionally tried taking part in round with them. I’ve seven totally different flavours of hummus. A few of them — the truffle hummus, for instance — usually are not authentically Lebanese, however they’ve been doing nicely. Even the peri-peri hummus has appealed to individuals. Indian audiences love a little bit of fusion.
Given the present socio-political local weather in our nation, do you discover serving meals from the Gulf area to be a problem?
None of my dishes set off any non secular or political sentiments although I’ve chosen to not serve pork or beef in my kitchen. I can do so much with hen, lamb and seafood. Whereas I’m not a really non secular individual, I respect the viewpoints of others and anticipate the identical from them. If a buyer has an issue with the meals aside from the style then I can’t actually assist them. I can’t change the origin of a dish.
What’s the excellent order from Arabisque?
If it’s a meal for one, I’d recommend a mezze bowl. We provide falafel, paneer, lamb and totally different preparations of hen. It’s the optimum amount for one individual and provides you the chance to strive a number of components just like the hummus, tabbouleh and our breads. It’s an ideal pattern of what Arabisque has to supply.
Earlier: Introduction
Subsequent: Rehan Mehta, East seventh Pizza & Deli
