Nandi Caterers

You can find us at 2-A/97 in the NIT area. Nandi Caterers is basically a neighborhood operation. We have been working out of this spot, and it’s become very familiar. The kitchen is where everything happens. We have these big burners that put out a lot of heat, and there’s always something bubbling in a pot. We do a lot of local catering, so we know the streets around here pretty well. Most of the time, it’s about timing. You have to get the rice done just right and the vegetables cooked so they aren't mushy by the time they get to the party. We use a lot of big steel containers for transport. Washing them is a huge chore that takes up half the afternoon. We don’t have a massive staff, just a few of us who know how to get things done. We talk a lot while we work, mostly about the news or what’s happening in the neighborhood. It’s a practical life. We wake up early, check the list of ingredients, and start the fires. By the time the sun goes down, we are usually finishing up the last of the cleaning. It’s a repetitive cycle, but we are used to the rhythm of it. There is always something to chop or a floor to sweep. We don't try to be anything we aren't; we just cook the food and deliver it to the families who ask for it.