A spicy affair

SHAKAMBARI BHOJANALAYA is the brain-child of Chavali Lalitha Kumari, who, spurred by several cookery programmes on television, was determined to extend her culinary skills from the gratification of the family needs, to the world outside.

Her first step in becoming an entrepreneur was tried and tested in marketing her home-made Andhra pickles. Avakai pickles are her forte but equally sought after are other speciality pickles like gonkura, nimmakai (lemon), dhabhakkai (narthanga), allam (ginger), usirikai (amla) and korivikaram (chilli).

In addition to these, she prepares a variety of podis too.

The initial success of the 'pickle venture' encouraged Lalitha Kumari to pursue a more ambitious plan.

Her home (No. 1, 4th Main Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar, Tel: 4402564/4402569) is set in a sprawling compound. The extra space, she adventurously converted into an outdoor eating place with the garage functioning as a kitchen.

Lalitha Kumari's son C. R. Kumar and daughter-in-law Chavali Sarada, help in running this eating place, and are sticklers for cleanliness and quality. The delicious South Indian items are prepared under the able supervision of Chef Ratnam Iyengar.

The speciality of Shakambari is the variety of pesarattu and the delicious ginger chutney. An interesting item is the MLA Pesarattu. The nomenclature comes from the unique brunch that combines a pesarattu dosai with uppma and a potato curry. This, I am told, was the invention of a chef in Hyderabad, who wished to eliminate mealtime delays that would eat into the busy schedule of law-makers!

Other highlights include a range of South Indian sweets - the Mysore pak, laddu and halwa which is exceptionally delicious. Snacks include a variety of bajjis and bondas.

Lunch is a simple, nutritious and tasty affair. The Bhojanam is priced at Rs. 40 and carrier meal at Rs. 60.

A fruit juice, milk shake and ice cream centre also functions in the premises.

Lalitha Kumari is planning to add North Indian varieties to the menu.

Her son Kumar explained, "The diet preferences of families are fast changing. While senior members of the family stick to the conventional food items, the children are more adventurous and wish to try out other dishes, especially the Chinese and North Indian. So we feel it would be a good idea to include a wide variety in our menu."

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