Mamta Caterer

Isanpur is a crowded place. Our spot is D-4 in the Pushpa Tenament. We are right on Vatva Road. Being near the Greenlons School means we hear the kids shouting at recess. It’s a bit noisy here at the corner near Moni Hotel. We do a lot of heavy lifting. Big steel tubs of rice and vegetables come in every morning. We start early, maybe 5 AM. The kitchen gets steamy fast. It's a lot of chopping and peeling. Our staff is mostly people from around the neighborhood. We know the roads here well. When we load the van, we have to be careful with the bumps on the road near Jethabhai's Vav. It’s an old landmark, very close to us. Sometimes the traffic is bad, so we have to leave earlier than planned. We don't have a big office. Just a desk with a lot of papers and phone numbers written on the wall. People call us for all sorts of things, small family gatherings or just a simple meal. We use regular spices you find in any kitchen. Nothing hidden or fancy. The floors get slippery with all the cooking, so we’re always mopping. It’s hard work, and by evening, everyone is tired. We sit outside for a bit when the sun goes down. Isanpur feels different at night. The school is quiet then and the street lights flicker a lot. We just close the gate and head home to rest for the next day.