Chai Pani in Asheville, North Carolina, has been declared "America's most Outstanding Restaurant" by the James Beard Foundation, an accomplishment executive chef Meherwan Irani called a "watershed moment".
"It really feels like a turning point for how Indian cuisine and culture are perceived in the US as equal as any of the other cuisines that are celebrated like Eurocentric French and Italian American cuisine," Mr Irani told The National.
The James Beard awards are considered the Oscars of the food world in the US.
Unlike traditional landmarks that are known for fine dining, Chai Pani's dishes are inspired by chaat and street food from Mr Irani's upbringing in India.
The menu at Chai Pani features uniquely flavoured, crunchy and spicy chaat.
Some of the dishes include roasted sweet potatoes seasoned with garam masala, and tossed with pomegranate seeds, onions, cilantro, tomato and green and tamarind chutneys.
It really feels like a turning point for how Indian cuisine and culture are perceived in the US
Chef Merhwan Irani,
Chai Pani
Mr Irani, who grew up in Maharashtra, India, opened Chai Pani in downtown Asheville in 2009, but faced the challenge of educating a mainly white community on authentic Indian street food.
"Not only was I opening an Indian restaurant in a small little mountain town in western North Carolina, where it felt like there were 99,000 white people ... It was Indian street food, which was even more unfamiliar to people," he said.
But Indian street food's approachability, Mr Irani said, helped to bridge the cultural divide and highlight the diversity of Indian cuisine, religion and culture.
One of those items is the "Sloppy Jai", a dish that took inspiration from kheema pav by fitting a spicy lamb hash garnished with onions, green chutney and sweet yoghurt between two toasted buns.
Chai Pani also serves "okra fries", a vegan snack tossed with seasoning and served with lime.
There is also the restaurant's take on bhel puri, a street food classic with puffed rice, puris, roasted chana daal, chickpea noodles and more.
"We all understand that in any country, you go to street food, probably the most fun, the most interesting, the most exciting and the most approachable," he said.
And for those looking for a more family-oriented meal, Chai Pani serves butter chicken thali and saag paneer to deliver the comforts of something home cooked.
Mr Irani called on other Indian chefs in the US to continue highlighting the the country's gastronomical diversity and to "not fall back on" the traditional idea of Indian restaurants that most American diners have become accustomed to.
For him, that meant making Chai Pani a restaurant where patrons in Asheville could feel the energy and warmth of his establishment and not the cultural divide between India and the US.
"To be an outstanding restaurant doesn't just mean sending food and service," he said.
"It means to be outstanding in your community and the society you live in and the way you treat people and the way you represent your culture."
Mr Irani hopes that other aspiring Indian and minority chefs will be courageous in their food and to embrace their cultures.
He regards organisations such as the James Beard Foundation actively celebrating the diversity of cultures and cuisine on display in the US.
"Tell your story," Mr Irani said. "Food is one of the most elemental things we do."
A second location was opened in the multicultural hamlet of Decatur, Georgia, near Emory University in March 2013.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'
Bournemouth 1
Wilson 44'
Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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EXPATS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lulu%20Wang%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicole%20Kidman%2C%20Sarayu%20Blue%2C%20Ji-young%20Yoo%2C%20Brian%20Tee%2C%20Jack%20Huston%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
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Scoreline
Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)
New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)
Company%20profile
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The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20profile
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THE%20SPECS
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
