In the illustrious culinary city of Paak, male chefs garnered popularity and received recognition compared to females. They said women were mainly to serve and feed their husbands and children, while men basked in glory as skilled chefs.
Men filled the kitchens in the renowned restaurant, while women waited in their households for their men to come home with their pay. Only a handful of female chefs built their reputation but didn't have the honor and privileges the same as their male counterparts.
A stream of discussions occurred in favor of the young-bearing gender. Somehow, some men indulged in their superiority and wished not to share the glorious positions as chefs, smashing the hope of those who dared to halt the present state of the cooking world.
This male chauvinistic city and its country would experience historical changes after a lady dared to find her place in this world of chefs and unconsciously created a ripple, encouraging the women to start their own place in the career world.
The path for Asha Das to fame was cloudy and narrow, but it would pave a wide road to all hopeful talented females.
Asha couldn't forget the last letter her father left her before they hung him. This was the letter,Asha,
Asha arrived at a diner at the corner of a busy street where small, close-packed office buildings were situated. She walked in a small kitchen and stepped sideways, passing her busy co-workers in their workstations."Asha, why are you late today? This is not you," Charbi, the head chef, said. He is a tall man of six feet in his thirties. He glanced at Asha while kneadi
After cooking her last dish, Asha darted to school. She would graduate this school year from her second higher education. She could have graduated a year ago, but her situation was dire after her father's death.She could hardly understand the teacher's words because her mind was full of the things she would do for the competition tomorrow. After class, she ran home, a
Asha cooked the last batch of Chicken Torkari. She began the batch of her Baba's special Bapa Pitha. This sweet rice cake was a traditional delicacy cooked in winter. However, her father's recipe was special compared to the common one and was a hit in their restaurant.The common recipe was ground rice combined with shredded coconut and steamed with molasses fillings.
Charbi faced Ronjon and clapped his palms together. "Nomoshkar. Hi, Sir. I'm Charbi, the head cook here. What can I do for you?"Ronjon did the same action, "Nomoshkar," and extended his hand. "I only have a few questions to ask, so please sit with me for a while."
It was the cooking festival week. Every year, the surrounding villages of Paak City would hold such an occasion to uphold its reputed standing as a Culinary City.Here, every corner in every street had stalls and small diners in makeshift tents to serve the visitors and the local's palates experience of the city's unique spicy dishes.
Asha continued her work without care. She let the oyster’s stock boil and added the fish, other spices, except the coconut milk and the clam meat. "Hey, how much time did they give us?" She asked a participant in front of her. The boy ignored her."What the ... still giving me a cold shoulder?" She couldn't believe this was how the males treated the female cont
Asha was indignant to herself and ashamed for deceiving a judge where she was an entrant. Her thoughts led that way with no inkling on what was in Ronjon's mind.As for Ronjon, his excitement and interest jumped a notch after tasting her dish. Yet, it never occurred to him she was the cook of the elusive Bapa Pitha and chicken torkari he craved. Neither did he connect