Bibosh, who lost job in America amid pandemic, shines with street food stall
Kanichukulangara: “I am 10 fold happier than when I was in the ship,” says Bibosh who had been a chef in a passenger ship headquartered in Florida in US. A native of Kanichukulangara, Bibosh is now managing a street food stall here.
The job in ship was dream-like to Bibosh who had an interest towards cooking since childhood. The 37-year-old had earlier worked as a chef in a five-star hotel in Bahrain. He joined the ship company in Florida in 2014. He had reached India in January on leave and was slated to return in March. However, with the Covid pandemic and international flights being cancelled he couldn’t return. With this he lost the job.
It was his friends who encouraged him to open the ‘Pravasi Thattukada’ near the national highway here. He also accepts catering orders for functions. Most of the coking is done at home. By 3 pm, he reaches the food stall and opens it. His colleague on ship, Chethala native Jyothish assists him. Bibosh’s father Babu and a relative Sreejith also helps at the stall.
Varieties made of backwater fishes is his specialty. Meals with fish chutney, thoran and aviyal is also an attraction.
When in ship, I was receiving around Rs 80,000 as salary. But at the stall, the income is less. People are slowly getting back to dining outside amid pandemic. Hopefully the situation will get better. However, I am happy in the new entrepreneurship and that I could provide job for 10 people, said Bibosh.
Bibosh had studied hotel management at the Food Craft Institute in Kalamassery. He worked at a hotel in Poovar and later at KTDC hotel in Kumarakom. In 2006, KTDC MD Raman Srivastava dined at the hotel and enjoyed the pearl spot fish fry made by Bibosh. He was awarded a citation following this.