Eat & Stay Goa - MARCH 2023 ISSUE

Eat & Stay Goa

COVER FEATURE

Bay15 Beach resort, DONA PAULA

Nestled on the idyllic Odxel Beach in Dona Paula, the Bay 15 Beach Resort is the ultimate luxury escape for travellers looking for a serene and luxurious vacation in the heart of Goa.

oomah foods

A home-based enterprise that offers a wide range of home-made pickles

SUNDAY Brunches AT C2C

The perfect choice for groups of friends seeking to spend time together while feasting on some amazing delicacies

da tita, majorda

The best place in Goa to get a taste of authentic Italian cuisine

Editorial

Hi Friends,

Welcome to the March 2023 issue of our emagazine Eat & Stay Goa.

This month, on the cover, we have featured Bay 15 Beach Resort, a popular resort property situated on the shores of Odxel beach at Dona Paula. The resort is a very popular spot for tourists who put up at the place to enjoy a nice relaxing vacation in the heart of Goa. It is also a popular venue for beach weddings, corporate meetings and many other functions and events. Read the feature inside to know more about this amazing resort.

Our inside pages feature stories on Nadia's Sweet Tooth Studio, a Panjim-based home bakery that specialises in customized cakes and on Oomah Foods, a Porvorim-based home enterprise that offers a wide range of homemade pickles which are prepared using locally grown ingredients.

We have also done a feature on Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu, Executive Pastry Chef at St. Regis, Cavelossim, where he talks about his experiences as a chef, his favourite Goan dishes and desserts and lots more.

We have also covered the story of Da Tita By Magic Italy, one of Goa’s most popular Italian

restaurants which is noted for its delicious range of pizzas and other authentic Italian dishes.

A recipe on how to make a Healthy Chocolate Tart by Mumbai-based food blogger Greta  Fernandes also finds a place in this month's issue of our e-magazine.

Earlier this month, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) and AB In Bev announced the opening of Seven Rivers, their second brewpub at Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, in Sinquerim. This first-ofits-kind brewpub with an on-site microbrewery is housed in a Portuguese villa. The brewpub offers beer inspired by the quintessential flavours of the region, as well as those made from the finest locally sourced ingredients and crafted by experienced international and Indian brewmasters.

Also, the ugly incident that took place in Anjuna last week, where a tourist from Delhi and her family were brutally assaulted by a group of individuals who were employees at the hotel they had put up at, has once again put Goa in the news for all the wrong reasons. Such kinds of ugly incidents bring a bad name to Goa and greatly affects its image as a tourist-friendly destination.

The government and the police should take steps to ensure that such incidents do not take place by strictly enforcing the law of the land. The police also need to be sensitized and trained to deal with such kind of situations, whenever they occur.

Well, that's all I have for you guys from my desk this month. I hope you enjoy reading this month's edition of Eat & Stay Goa. Do share it with your friends all across the globe.

Until next month, cheers!

Jessyl Fernandez Editor

01 Bay15 Beach Resort

02 Da Tita, Majorda

03 Sunday Brunches at C2C

04 Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu

05 Nadia's Sweet Tooth Studio

06 Oomah Foods

07 Healthy Chocolate Tart

Introduction

Goa, the tiniest state on the western coast of India, boasts golden pristine beaches, palmfringed avenues, flavourful food, delicious Portuguese-influenced sweets, and warm, hospitable people. Also known as the Ibiza of India for its partying. A tropical paradise of flora and fauna, from the very famous 'almi' (mushrooms) endemic to its forests, that grow only on the red mud anthills, to the solar prawns that are fished immediately after the monsoons, Goa is unique. Tourists are also attracted to Goa for its cultural heritage - from the famous old Portuguese churches like Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the 16th Century Safa Masjid in Ponda and Shree Mangesha Temple in Mardol, the legendary Arvalem or Pandava Caves where the Pandavas of the Mahabharat fame lived, to its two unique festivals - Carnival and Shigmo. Goa plays host to many festivals - the International Film Festival of India that promotes cinema, the Serendipity Art Festival, Sunburn Music Festival, The Grape Escapade to name a few. To showcase this varied heritage of culture, art, tradition, food, and people, in 2015 ItsGoa was born. The main aim was to make it the premier portal for all things Goa. We were able to showcase Goa like never before. Soon our blog-based website transcended the virtual space, with the ItsGoa magazine – a sought-after resource for visitors to Goa from countries like Norway, Germany, UK, USA, UAE, etc.

Editorial Team

Chief Editor

Jessyl Fernandez

Content Manager

Steve Antao

Content Curators:

Prataya Sarkar

Greta Fernandes

Sales & Marketing

Donald Fernandez

Graphics & Layout

Shankar Kamble

Aniket Naik

Social Media Manager

Saviola Dias

For advertising queries:

ItsGoa Media Group

Nordic Intent HQ Floor 3, PDA

Colony, Porvorim, Goa 403521

Email : mail@itsgoa.com

Website: itsgoa.com

Cover Feature

Bay15 Beach resort, DONA PAULA

Nestled on the idyllic Odxel Beach in Dona Paula, Goa, the Bay 15 Beach Resort is the ultimate luxury escape for travellers looking for a serene and luxurious vacation in the heart of Goa

Article by: Team ItsGoa

Images by: Bay15 Beach Resort

Nestled on the idyllic Odxel Beach in Dona Paula, Goa, the Bay 15 Beach Resort is the ultimate luxury escape for travellers looking for a serene and luxurious vacation in the heart of Goa. This boutique resort boasts a picturesque location, personalised service, and luxurious amenities, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday.

The resort features 15 luxurious rooms and suites designed with a contemporary touch while also preserving the essence of Goan architecture. Each room and suite has a private balcony or terrace that offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Guests can wake up to the soothing sound of the waves and enjoy all modern amenities such as airconditioning, television, mini-bar, tea/coffee maker, and free Wi-Fi.

Dining Options

Bay 15 Beach Resort offers a variety of dining options to cater to the palate. The resort's signature restaurant, The Edge, serves a wide range of Indian, Chinese, and Continental delicacies prepared by the resort's expert chefs. The restaurant's alfresco dining area offers a stunning view of the sea and creates a perfect setting for a romantic dinner or a family gathering. An ideal place to unwind and relax is the BayWatch Lounge Bar. Guests can enjoy the breath-taking sunset views while relishing some signature cocktails or sipping a glass of fine wine.

Facilities Provided

For guests looking to unwind and simply relax, Bay 15's in-house spa is the perfect place to be. The spa offers a range of therapies and massages designed to refresh the body, mind, and soul. Indulge in a variety of treatments, including traditional Ayurvedic massages, Swedish massages, aromatherapy, and reflexology. The spa's serene ambience and skilled therapists ensure a relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated experience.

Another highlight of this luxurious resort is the pool area. Perfect for a refreshing dip after a long day of exploring, the pool area allows guests to soak up the sun by the deck or lounge by the pool

Alfresco dining area of ‘The Edge’’ restaurant at Bay 15

Interior of a room with Balcony View

Immerse in the local culture and lifestyle with a galore of experiences and activities offered at Bay15. Guests can indulge in water sports, take a dolphin sighting tour, or explore the nearby village on a local village tour. Ideally located, this boutique hotel is just a few kilometres away from the capital city and a short drive from the famous Miramar Beach and Dona Paula Jetty.

Conferences and events

Besides being a rejuvenating resort, Bay 15 is also an ideal destination for corporate events and conferences. The resort's conference hall, The Bay View, can accommodate up to 80 guests and is equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and high-speed internet access, making it an ideal venue for business meetings, seminars, and workshops. The wide open spaces with the picturesque view of the Arabian Sea and the most beautiful sunsets make Bay15 an ideal place for destination weddings and celebrations. The stunning locations, world-class amenities, and personalised service make Bay 15 the perfect place to tie the knot and start a new chapter in life.

What truly sets Bay 15 Beach Resort apart from other resorts is its personalised service. The warm and friendly welcome and personal attention to

detail by the resort's staff ensures that guests have comfortable and memorable. Whether it's arranging for a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, organising a surprise birthday party, or providing recommendations for local attractions, the resort's staff goes above and beyond to ensure that guests have a memorable and personalised experience.

In conclusion, Bay 15 Beach Resort is the ultimate luxury escape in Goa. With its stunning location, luxurious amenities, and personalised service, it offers a unique and unforgettable vacation!

View of the Pool

Seafront Lawn

italian cuisine

da tita, majorda

Situated in the quiet and serene village of Majorda is Da Tita by Magic Italy, an open-air restaurant and pizza place. The restaurant is the one of the most popular places in Goa for anyone looking to get a taste of authentic Italian cuisine

Article by: Steve Antao

Images by: Da Tita

Situated in the quiet and serene village of Majorda, just about 3 kms from the Majorda beach lies Da Tita by Magic Italy, an open-air restaurant and pizza place.This authentic Italian restaurant is the first choice for anyone who wants to get a taste of authentic Italian cuisine.

The Da Tita story dates back to the year 1999, when Giovanni Minelli and his wife Claudia Zubani, both from Italy packed their bags and bid adieu to their beloved home country forever to settle down in Goa permanently. That year, the duo set up Magic Italy, Goa’s first original Italian Pizzeria on the shores of the beautiful Palolem beach.

One must also try out their Magic Italy platter, composed of an assortment of imported cured meats, cheeses, grilled vegetables and olives, served with homemade bread. The restaurant has a variety of pizzas to offer, each with its unique combination of toppings.

Out of their collection of pizza offerings, one must certainly try Pataine and Frustel, which comes with a topping of frankfurters and potatoes, topped on a base of mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.

One would also find it hard to resist the tempting Vesuvio pizza, a topping consisting of parmesan cheese, green olives, Milan salami on a base of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Also, the Goenkar pizza, which is a blend of Goan chorizo, onion, garlic, chillies, mozzarella and tomato sauce is something one should not miss out on.

For those who are vegan, Da Tita has a lot to offer including their Quatrro Formaggi pizza, which consists of 4 different types of Italian cheeses, mozzarella and tomato sauce or the Morena pizza, which consists of jalapenos cappers, capsicum, onion, mozzarella and tomato sauce.

2011, they set up Da Tita restaurant in Majorda. After more than 20 years, they shut down their operations at Palolem in 2021 and merged Magic Italy with Da Tita to form Da Tita By Magic Italy at Majorda.

The pizzas at Da Tita are cooked in a wood-fired oven with a large part of the ingredients used in their preparation, such as parmesan cheese, olive oil, spaghetti, penne, olives, vinegar, different types of ham and much more, being imported directly from Italy.

For starters, one must try the Bruschetta ai Salumi Misti, which are small pieces of bruschetta topped with different types of ham. Website: www.itsgoa.com

@_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Pizza Primavera, a traditonal Italian Combination of Rocket Leaves, Parmesan, prosciutto crudo, Tomato Sauce & Mozzarella!

Apart from pizzas, the restaurant has a lot of other lip-smacking delicacies to offer, such as panini sandwiches, focaccia, various kinds of pasta, lasagnas, ravioli and much more.

Paninis are sandwiches made using focaccia bread, garnished with oil and salt and cooked in a wood-fired oven. One of their most popular Panini offerings is their prosciutto and funghi sandwich, consisting of mushrooms, cooked ham, caramelized onion and mozzarella. For vegans, their Mix Verdure panini sandwich, consisting of mozzarella, olives, zucchini, capsicum parmesan cheese, caramelized onions and cappers is worth a try.

Focaccia are pizzas that are prepared without cheese and tomato sauce. Among their focaccia offerings, the best and most irresistible one would be their Focaccia con Verdure, which is a pizza base, topped with zucchini, capsicum, spinach eggplant, onions, fresh sliced tomato, basil and olive oil.

They also have a wide variety of pasta to complement your meal. One can choose from Spaghetti, Penne or Farfalle, all of which are served fresh with Parmesan cheese from Italy. Also, the seafood pasta, consisting of Calamari and Prawns cooked in white wine, fresh tomatoes, a hint of tomato sauce and parsley is also a good option to try out.

To bring an end to a sumptuous meal, one could try out their Tiramisu, a traditional homemade Italian dessert made using imported mascarpone (a soft Italian acid-set cream cheese) or their

Chocolate Coffee Cake, made with dark chocolate, espresso and powdered sugar.

So, what are you waiting for? Head now to Da Tita at Majorda and enjoy a genuine Italian experience right here in Goa. Bon appetit!

Location: Between Oscar’s Junction

Supermarket and Majorda Railway Station, Calata – Majorda.

For reservations, call: +91 9552530743

Closed on Wednesdays | No delivery.

Facebook: @datitagoa | Instagram: @datitagoa

Crostata all'albicocca, an open fruit tart made with apricot Jam

SUNDAY Brunches AT C2C

Sunday brunches at C2C, a restaurant at the Taj Resort and Convention Centre in Dona Paula are truly a fun experience for groups of friends and families seeking to fill their weekend with light-hearted fun, satisfy their thrill-seeking palates and indulge in a post-gorge nap.

Whoever said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day clearly never ate brunch at C2C, Taj Resort & Convention Centre, Goa. Enter the 94cover, global coastal cuisine restaurant and encounter the energetic vibe, interiors suffused with natural light filtering in through the large windows and breath-taking views of the Arabian

Set to the backdrop of elegant but refined décor, with distinctive coastal elements - wooden columns in the form of waves, fishermen’s nets and sea-side hues of blue and grey across the upholstery and design, the vibe is decidedly chic, but calm. Seating options are spread across an indoor section, as well as an Al fresco area, affording an unending view of the sea.

Tuck into Salt & Pepper Calamari, Lamb Croquettes, if you are a carnivore or savour the Potato Chops and Creamy Mushroom Forminhas, if vegetarian dishes entice your palate, from among the appetizers served on your table. Sit back and enjoy. Your lazy, but fun afternoon has just begun.

plethora of coastal flavours

The wide array of offerings at the Brunch, leave you spoilt for choice - salads, soups, mains, live stations - where chefs serve fresh food a la minute and of course, desserts. The spread of dishes is bound to make it to Instagram feeds and the aesthetic attention to detail is exquisite.

The neatly packed, bundles of flavour - Sushi, are a treat for the palate. Prawn Tempura, Salmon, Tuna, Avocado, Asparagus, Shitake - there is truly a lot to choose from and abundant vegetarian options too.

Time comes to a standstill inside C2C and one can relish one’s Brunch at a languid pace. Head to the salad counter and help yourself to some fresh and crunchy salads with multiple dressings –Balsamic, Honey-Mustard, Lemon Vinaigrette. There is a salad for every palate - Roasted Chicken Salad, Greek Lamb Salad with Tzatziki Insalata di Mare, Broccoli & Almond Salad, Couscous Salad, German Potatoes Salad.

Satiated with the salads, one can try the wide selection of cheese or even the cold cuts. The Cold Bar is bound to beckon sea food lovers instantly. Fresh Oysters, Prawns, Crab, Mussels, served with Tabasco, Mignonette, Cocktail Onions, Cilantro, Cucumber Jalapeno Salsa, opt as per preference.

The mains, ensure one can actually sample dishes from across global cuisines and the fare is quite the treat too,

Dining area at C2C

A

with a roster of crowd pleasers. Take your pick from among global fare, or local Goan delicacies. Expect, Goan Vegetable Pulao, Vegetable Caldin, Pork Sorpotel with Sannas, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Thai Curry, Eggplant Parmigiana, Vegetable Pie and more.

Take a break, enjoy the spectacular views and make a beeline for the Live Grill station. Non- vegetarians can choose from Lobster Tails, Calamari Peri Peri, Prawns, Minute Steak (Beef) - with a choice of Butter Garlic, Lemon Butter, Chermoula, Peri-Peri, Coriander, Balchao.

Vegetarians can relish from an assortment of exotic options. Grilled Zucchini with Papaya Relish, Grilled Asparagus with Cream Sauce, Corn on the Cob with Lime, Char-Grilled Broccoli, will tantalize your taste buds.

The grand finale to a lavish brunch, invariably, are desserts, and at C2C, quite literally. The dessert counter is an exercise in choices. Aesthetically displayed, each dessert screams for your attention. Raspberry Madelines, Tres Leches, Salted Caramel Tartlets, Chocolate Mocha Gateau. That’s not all. The delectable Goan sweets –Pinagr, Bebinca, Bolinhas, will equally wow your palate and give you a slice of Goa in every nibble.

The attentive but unobtrusive service, lively music, buzzing vibe, further enhance the Brunch experience.

So whether you are seated in the cosy but vibrant, indoor lounge or the quiet outdoor section, sipping a fresh juice or a sangria, you can be sure you will sink into the opulence for over two hours, enjoying the unique Sunday brunch offerings. There’s coffee too, giving you an excuse to linger, a bit longer.

C2C is the perfect venue for groups of friends and families seeking to fill their weekend with lighthearted fun, satisfy their thrill-seeking palates and indulge in a post-gorge nap.

Seafood Spread

Dessert spread

Variety of Sushi

chef

Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu

In a brief chat with ItsGoa, Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu, executive pastry chef at The St. Regis Goa Resort, Cavelossim, shares insights into his life, his career, things about Goa he likes the most and lots more...

Article by: Prataya Sarkar

Images by: Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu

From a little village near Chennai to the heart of Goa, Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu, Executive Pastry Chef at The St. Regis Goa Resort, has traveled a long way to pursue his passion for creating art with desserts. With over 20 years of experience in the culinary world, Chef Selvaraj has become a master in his craft and has a 360-degree understanding of the department. He takes pride in training his team and imparting his knowledge and skills to them.

As a child, Chef Selvaraj's only goal was to be a billionaire one day. However, his grandmother's culinary skills were a great source of inspiration and ultimately led him to pursue a career in the culinary arts. One of his earliest memories is of watching his grandmother make Achu Murukku, a famous deep-fried rose cookie in South India. At 12 years old, he started helping his grandmother and eventually gravitated towards the creative side of culinary.

Chef Selvaraj's professional journey began in local bakeries, where he learned how to make bread. He then worked his way up the ladder in several hotels and restaurants across the country, gaining expertise in the world of patisserie. He worked at Courtyard by Marriott Chennai and flight kitchens before becoming the Executive Pastry Chef at Renaissance Mumbai. He then moved to Westin Pune, where he spent five glorious years creating sweet treats that guests loved to enjoy and click

Goa Resort and has been in Goa for a little over four months. He is enthralled by the soulful vibes of the South and admires Goa's calm and peaceful nature, especially in the South, with swaying coconut palms and pristine beaches. Chef Selvaraj is excited to be at The St. Regis Goa Resort, which is known for its hallmark of luxury, and enjoys connecting with guests on a deeper level.

Chef Selvaraj's love for desserts was on full display during Valentine's month when he prepared four desserts at The St. Regis Goa Resort. The desserts included Love Capsule, which is a mix of avocado, orange marmalade, and double berry bavarois. Shades of Love, which is a combination of lychee raspberry, blackberry cream cheese, and ruby yogurt. Mellow Pillow, which is a raspberry strawberry confi with a mellow of marshmallow. Finally, Hearty Dream Cloud, which is a champagne wild berry truffle.

shades of love

Chef Selvaraj's personal favorite Goan sweet dish is Alle Belle, which is a soft crepe filled with an amazing jiggery and coconut filling. He finds Goa's unique combination of susegad lifestyle, amazing food, and culture truly enticing.

Chef Selvaraj Marimuthu,

Chef Selvaraj's passion for desserts and his dedication to his craft have made him a soughtafter pastry chef. His creations have become a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, and he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with desserts. Chef Selvaraj's journey from a small village in Chennai to being an Executive Pastry Chef at The St. Regis Goa Resort is truly inspiring and a testament to the power of following one's passion.

home baker

Nadia's SweeTooth Studio

A home bakery based in Panjim that specialises in making customized cakes for all kinds of occasions

Article by: Steve Antao

Images by: Nadia Aslam

Nadia's Sweet Tooth Studio has come a long way since its inception in 2015. What started as a mere hobby of baking cakes for family and friends has now turned into a thriving home-based food enterprise that offers customized cakes, chocolates, and goodies for all occasions. Nadia Aslam, the founder of Nadia's SweeTooth Studio has been able to create a trusted brand over the years, thanks to her exceptional baking skills, creativity, and attention to detail.

Nadia's studio is known for its celebration cakes, which include birthday cakes, anniversary cakes, wedding cakes, cupcakes, chocolates, cake pops, cakesicles, doughnuts, and Arabian Kunaafe, which is very popular with customers.

Nadia Aslam is a mother of three children. She holds a degree in Home Science from Goa College of Home Science, where she majored in textiles. Before starting her baking enterprise, she successfully ran a fashion boutique and was a hand embroidery teacher. However, her love for baking started at home and in college. Then, she enrolled in a local baking class to brush up on her skills. In 2016, she took her first order for a cake, and ever since then, there has been no looking back.

Nadia's mother, Hasina Ibrahim, was the one who kept pushing her to master some skill in a creative field, which is what led her to start baking. Nadia initially had no plans to pursue baking as a career, but her mother's insistence to make a Facebook page to display her cake work led her to take orders. The response from the public was overwhelming. Her cakes soon became famous for their unique flavour combinations and stunning designs. Word of mouth spread quickly, and soon, Nadia's SweeTooth was getting orders from all over the city.

Despite being a home-based baking business, Nadia's SweeTooth Studio had to go through a lot of documentation and wait for months to obtain the food license required to operate. However, the process has become less tedious now, and the enterprise has been able to operate smoothly without any major challenges.

appreciate her unique approach to baking. She has been able to build a trusted brand with more than 400 five-star reviews on Google. Most of her customers are from Goa, but she has also catered to clients from neighbouring states and foreigners. She also gets orders from clients based in countries like Australia, Hong Kong, the USA, and UAE who place orders with her whenever they are down in Goa to celebrate a particular occasion. She regularly receives feedback and suggestions from her customers, which she uses to improve her products and services. Nadia believes that listening to her customers is essential for staying relevant and meeting their evolving needs.

Apart from offering a wide range of baked products, Nadia also conducts certified professional training in cake art, making it a onestop shop for all baking enthusiasts. She has trained students not only from Goa but also from places like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Manipur.

Nadia preparing motichoor truffles

In the next few years to come, Nadia plans to expand her business and reach even more customers. She also plans to introduce new products and flavours, hire more staff, and open new stores in other cities. She also intends to start an academy that focuses on training cake enthusiasts and helping them in their journey of making cakes and earning a decent livelihood. She believes that everyone is blessed with a hidden skill, and with dedication and perseverance, one can master it and turn it into a thriving business.

Nadia Aslam's journey from a home science graduate to a successful entrepreneur and a role model for many young women in her community is truly inspiring. As she continues to expand her business and make a positive impact on the world, Nadia's legacy will inspire generations to come.

Nadia's SweeTooth Studio offers home delivery of cakes.

Customers can place their orders by contacting Nadia on:

WhatsApp: 7875759977

Google Page: https://g.co/kgs/32zzGE

Instagram: @nadias_sweetooth.studio

Facebook: @nadiassweetoothstudio

Nadia presenting a certificate of completion to a student who attended one of her cake art training courses

For reservations: 0832-2456231

+91 7447499070 | +91 7447499069

Odxel Beach, Dona Paula, Goa- 403004

food enterprise

oomah foods

Founded in January 2020 by Priyanka Gupta, Oomah Foods is a home-based enterprise that offers a wide range of home-made pickles which are prepared using locally grown ingredients.

Article by: Prataya Sarkar

Images by: Oomah Foods

From Homemade Pickles to a Full-Fledged Enterprise: The Story of Oomah Foods

If you're a foodie, you probably love a good homemade pickle. There's something about the tangy and spicy flavour of pickles that can elevate any dish. And that's exactly what Priyanka Gupta, the founder of Oomah Foods, thought when she started making her own homemade pickles. Little did she know that her love for pickles would turn into a full-fledged enterprise.

Priyanka's journey with pickles started when she shifted to Goa and started gifting her signature pickle "sweet lemon ginger" to her friends during housewarming ceremonies. The oil-free and sugar-free pickle was a super hit among her friends, and they always asked for refills. That's when Priyanka realized that she might have something special in her hands.

Priyanka hails from a very small village called Khetia in Madhya Pradesh. She holds a degree in computer engineering and a diploma in graphic design and corporate communication.  She worked with Cognizant Systems as a software developer for 2 years and then worked as a graphic designer at an institute in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Priyanka comes from a Marwari family, known for their elaborate cuisines and traditional spices. So, good food was her first love. In January 2020, Priyanka started Oomah Foods officially in Porvorim, Goa. Oomah Foods focuses on utilizing locally grown and locally sourced materials to create its pickle range. They have 22 different types of seasonal and perennial products that include Jackfruit, Raw haldi, cashew, pepper, and Mango.

Priyanka has done a food processing course sponsored by CIBA and has visited 2-3 pickle factories to get a sense of working in such an industry. She used this knowledge to create her own recipes and pickling techniques that made her pickles stand out from the rest.

The response from the public was overwhelming when Oomah Foods just started off.

should start this as a business because they really needed such kind of pickles. Oomah Foods' major clients are people who care about their health and

convincing people around her that this can also be

Priyanka Gupta, Proprietor, Oomah Foods

Despite the challenges she has faced along the way, Priyanka remains optimistic about the future of her business. She believes that by staying true to her values and putting her customers first, she can continue to build a successful and sustainable food enterprise.

Looking back on her journey, Priyanka feels grateful for all the support she received from her family and friends. She acknowledges that starting a business can be a daunting task, but she encourages other entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.

"Starting a business is never easy, but if you have a passion for something, don't let anything stop you," Priyanka says. "I encourage other entrepreneurs to surround themselves with people who believe in them and their vision." I advise people to pursue their dreams, not to worry about what others may say, and to remember the wise words, "Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kaam

Priyanka's plans for the next few years include starting a full-fledged factory set up with all women entrepreneurs running that and availability in all major cities of India.

This is a testament to her belief in women's entrepreneurship and her commitment to empowering women in her community. Oomah Foods offers home delivery of its products.

Khajur kaju pickle with jaggery and without oil

Jackfruit pickle. a signature product of Oomah Foods

Priyanka Gupta with other women entrepreneurs belonging to the Women Entrepreneurs Business Network (WEBN) founded by Mrs. Siya Shaikh

recipe

Healthy Chocolate Tart

Mumbai-based home chef Greta Fernandes shares her recipe to make a delicious chocolate tart

Article by: Greta Fernandes

Images by: Greta Fernandes

This Dark Chocolate Tart is incredibly quick and easy to prepare, is made with healthier gluten-free ingredients, and tastes ultra-decadent and delicious. The smooth -as-silk mouth feel of the luscious chocolate filling, when combined with the healthy crunch of the toasted hazelnuts, are a match made in heaven.

Once you try this amazing recipe, it will have you coming back for more!

Healthy Chocolate Tart

Serves: 5 people

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Tart Shell

1 cup almonds

1 cup oats

2 tbsp melted butter

3 tbsp sugar (coconut sugar)

A pinch of salt