On the occasion of Sassy Spoon winning a Zomato award, we chat with the person behind it all, Chef and owner Rachel Goenka, who tells us more about what makes the restaurant tick
Mumbai is becoming a hub for restaurants to set base and grow. And being the commercial capital of India, the possibilities are endless. A few weeks ago, the Mediterranean classical restaurant Sassy Spoon, located at Nariman Point, won a culinary award from the food listing giant, Zomato. We dig deeper to understand what makes it tick.
Staying true to yourself
When it comes to dining, several components come together to build a restaurant of repute. However, the ability to step away from regular cuisines is a bit of a dare. “We've never followed any culinary trends; we have always been true to ourselves with the food that we put out,” says Rachel Goenka, Chef Owner at Sassy Spoon, “And while the taste is the most important factor, having your own twist on it goes an extra mile.”
Recently, a master class was conducted by Master Chef Nicolas Houchet, from whom Goenka draws most of her inspiration. Reminiscing her college days, she says, “It takes a lot of technique. You have to develop your forte. As for me, since I have warm hands, I was advised that I'd do best with making bread. Such lessons and advice took me a long way on to my culinary journey.”
Making a success of it
Restaurants need to build up their reputation and this can be done over the years. Thankfully, the Internet has made things easier and more global, be it reaching out directly to the consumer, learning about new cuisines, sourcing ingredients from other parts of the world or organising events with other chefs. The World Wide Web has opened up multiple avenues to learn from and that's something one requires in order to progress.
But what is it about Sassy Spoon that put the restaurant on the top shelf? “We don't just serve innovative food; rather, we offer a culinary experience. Everything from the décor, service, ambience and the warmth makes it an experience that our patrons love. People often tells us that they feel at home here, and that's exactly how we want our customers to feel,” she explains.
However, in order to play to the palates of most Mumbaikars, plans are under way to introduce Asian and as well as Indian food. “Most importantly, be open to trying new dishes; you never really know what you may end up liking,” Goenka concludes.
What you should try at Sassy Spoon:
Seven-textured hazelnut and chocolate mousse
Caramel peanut tart
Basil fondant
Sticky toffee pudding
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 "Chef Nicolas Houchet and Rachel Goenka")
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