One of the most unique food lovers social groups in the kingdom has celebrated its fourth birthday at the restaurant where members held their first gathering … with news that the movement has started to grow to become an international phenomenon.
Dedicated fans of Masala Dosa, a delightful South Indian dish, have been celebrating their favourite food and organising get-togethers to sample the different offerings at restaurants and cafes across the kingdom.
Although the pandemic and protocols introduced put the Masala Dosa Meet Up on hold for several months and the passionate group has many new members since its foundation, the love of the cuisine continues to grow … with news of a splinter group now actively operating in the US.
In Bahrain, enthusiast Keyem Thomez, 56, a top Toastmaster and best-known as a ‘laughter ambassador’ promoting the practice of laughter as a form of stress release exercise, said: “It’s amazing that we’re still together and enjoying our monthly get-togethers – great company, great chat and great cuisine!
“It seemed apt to celebrate our fourth anniversary at the Vrindavan Hotel in Manama where it all started. One day I was expressing my love affair with Masala Dosa and a few of my friends expressed a similar desire for the food and we decided to meet up.”
Fellow founder and Indian expatriate Sushma Anil Kumar said that although many people had moved on from Bahrain since the group started it continues to attract new members from all ages and walks of life.
Diversity certainly proved true yesterday with the group consisting of Bahraini diners enjoying the fare with Indian, Filipino, French, Pakistani and British expatriates. Many were businessmen and women and they included well known yoga instructor Asha Pradeep and renowned marathon runner Smita Deepak.
Masala Dosa has made it to the list of ‘10 foods to try before you die’, compiled by The Huffington Post and TV channel CNN placed it as among the 50 world’s best foods on its travel list.
Dosa is a type of pancake from the Indian subcontinent, made from a fermented batter. It is somewhat similar to a crepe in appearance. Its main ingredients are rice and black gram and it’s a typical part of the Southern Indian diet and popular all over the Indian subcontinent. Masala Dosa is a variation, which has its origins in Tuluva Mangalorean cuisine. It is made from rice, lentils, potato, methi and curry leaves, and served with chutneys and sambar.
Details of the gathering have started to spread around the world and a club now holds regular meetings in Richmond, in the US state of Virginia.
“Our friend Keyem has a Masala Dosa club in Bahrain which is where the inspiration for ‘Slash Coleman’s Monthly Masala Dosa Laughter and Dinner Club’ came from,” a spokesman for the organisers said.
For Masala Dosa closer to home and details of the next breakfast gathering, contact 39867041, or email keyem21@gmail.com.
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