A Change of Guard

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Friday 25 February 2011

Momo magic...[The Taste of Cambodia in India]

Times of India
By Rashmi Uday Singh,
Feb 26, 2011,

Here's a true example of 'when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.' Having been uprooted from Cambodia almost 35 years ago, the talented Mumtaz Alam (born to a Cambodian mother and Indian father) was forced to move to Chennai. She set about not just serving up Cambodian and Vietnamese food but teaching Chennaiites how to cook it too.

Very recently, she has added healthy food to her menu and voila! after giving Mumtaz enough notice, you can ask for her steamed delights. From the yummy crunchy goi guon salad rolls to the steamed buns of arrowroot, sago idlis and mock meats, she prepares everything herself. Her hardworking and gifted nephew, Azam Sameer now assists Mumtaz with her work. I met them both and sampled the basket of soft, moist momos (` 85 for four momos) at our What's Hot tasting session and was delighted with them. Mumtaz and Azam had also brought along the 'seven gems' health drink, but my vote goes to the momos.

Mumtaz is not just passionate about food and cooking but also about travelling and being helpful to the deprived. "My hero is my dad," she beamed happily, remembering her famous father who she unfortunately lost at an early age. But he continues to inspire her. This mother of three has created her own set of classes in craft where she teaches people how to use newspaper and waste milk packets in an eco-friendly manner. She loves being the trailblazer and when asked what her aim is, she replied without blinking an eyelid that she wanted to help those who need help and 'to put India on top of the world'.

Mumtaz Alam from The Craft Basket conducts classes on traditional Muslim cuisine such as chicken/ mutton dum biryani, chicken gravy, stuffed murtaba, jalla murtaba, jalla paratha, etc. Classes are held at Sterling Road and Santhome.

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