New manager a hands-on cook

AMRITH Budhram is the new manager of the Durban North Vegetarian and Vegan Food and Craft Market.

Budhram restarted the market earlier this month after the stallholders were told in August it was closing.

“The former manager of the market was leaving and we needed someone to take over, to organise things. There was concern that the stallholders would be left stranded and some would be left without an income. A few of them approached me to take over,” said Budhram, who also had a food stall.

“I was tired after a long day and had to sleep on the decision because it was a big one, but then I gladly accepted. It was a confidence booster.”

Budhram, who started the vegetarian food stall Krishna’s Cuisine more than 20 years ago, said this was the first time he was managing a market.

He said he and his team were trying to create a safe and relaxing atmosphere to escape the pressures of everyday life.

“We are also incorporating lifestyle elements like reiki, henna, fashion, live music and crystals. In the beginning, we started with 35 stalls and we are now at 48. More people keep asking to join.”

Budhram said in addition to meat dishes, fish products, eggs and alcohol were also prohibited at the market.

“We still want the market to be a safe place where people don’t need to worry about breaking their dietary restrictions.”

He works at his stall alongside his sons Yadav and Gaura Budhram, sister Namritha Sivsanker, father Lutchman Budhram and friend Kashiv Lachman. His mom, Radha Vinod Budhram, is the head chef.

“It is her kitchen and I know better than to get in the way, so I help. We specialise in traditional Indian vegan and vegetarian foods like jackfruit curries, chilli bites and parathas, which is my speciality. We also have dishes with paneer.”

Budhram is far from the kitchen at his day job as an information technology technician.

“I am the person you call when you need help with your wi-fi, but then I can come home and cook for my family. My wife Hemalata is my muse. When we met, I rummaged around and found an old cookbook that I used to impress her, and now we have been married for 14 years.”

“We try to make our food as fresh as possible, so that means I have to take pots, pans, chutneys and everything else we would need to cook our meals.”

Budhram said the trip was however worth it when he saw customers smile. “Food is a mode of joy and love. You can taste the difference between food cooked by people in either a good or bad mood. As members of the Hare Krishna community, we meditate and pray for good intentions before we cook, so our food is filled with love. That is what our customers can taste.”

The market day will be on October 8 and thereafter every second Saturday of the month between 10am and 2pm at the Golden Hours Market in Durban North.