Rahul Foods (Goa)

Our kitchen is located in Dauji, which is part of the Ela area in Old Goa. It’s a humid place, especially during the monsoon when the rain just doesn't seem to stop for days. We spend most of our time prepping ingredients and making sure things are ready for the orders. It’s not a big factory or anything, just a practical setup where we can work. The smell of spices is quite strong in the mornings when we start the pots. Old Goa has a certain feel to it, and we like being tucked away here. Sometimes the electricity flickers when the wind picks up, so we keep some candles handy just in case. My brother handles the deliveries on his scooter, weaving through the narrow roads. We have a few big tables where we do all the packing. It’s a lot of manual work, chopping and stirring. We don’t have a polished storefront with bright lights. Most people find us through word of mouth. We keep the floor swept and the tools sharp. It’s just how we run things. Sometimes we sit outside on the steps during our break and watch the birds. It’s a simple life, and the food keeps us busy. We don’t try to be something we’re not, we just cook what we know and hope it gets to the right people. We often stay late when there are big festivals coming up.