By Casta Net |
Did you know that South Okanagan is a becoming a destination for foodies? Well, now you do. Ever tried the Nepali-Indian fusion cuisine? We’ve got that!
Meet Keshab Sapkota and Ram Bhandari, amazing chefs from Nepal that made Penticton their home.
Both came to the valley a few years ago and started off by cooking at various restaurants. They have been nursing a dream of creating their own, unique restaurant where they can use their culinary skills learned in their mothers’ kitchens and through years of training.
When they moved to Penticton, they made a connection with the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS) to upgrade their language skills and participate in community events. Now SOICS is one of their devoted clients.
Annapurna Restaurant opened just over a year ago on Penticton’s Main Street and, since then, people who tried the amazing food keep coming back.
Besides being the name of the famous mountainous range in the Himalayas boasting a peak of over 8,000 meters, in Hindu Annapurna means “the universal and timeless kitchen-goddess,” the mother who feeds everyone and protects us from starvation.
The restaurant offers a delicious fusion of Nepali and Indian cuisines inspired by the blend of Tibetan, Indian and Chinese cultures present in Nepal. These complex and flavourful dishes will satisfy both vegetarians and meat lovers. Moreover, since each dish is prepared from scratch using fresh ingredients, the Annapurna team can make your meal without gluten, lactose or nuts.
There is a small community of four or five Nepalese families in the valley that get together for the holidays to share food and good time. Two of Ram’s sisters own their own restaurants – one in West Kelowna called “Everest” and the other in Vernon named “The Curry Pot”, both well loved by the locals.