Back in April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deepanker "DK" Khosla, head chef of neo-Indian restaurant Haoma, jump-started the campaign #NoOneHungry to help those affected by the economic effects of the outbreak, particularly the homeless, immigrants and workers. The campaign, which depended on donations, was a phenomenal success and enabled Chef DK and his team to prepare over 300 meals a day and send them out to those most in need.
A few months later, Chef DK teamed up with Chef Jutamas “Som” Theantae of Karmamaket Conveyance to host a series of charity dinners that can help further his cause. This time, the goal was to step up their game and deliver over 55,000 meals (approximately 1,000 meals a day).
The dinners took place on two dates: August 27 at Karmakamet Conveyance and September 17 at Haoma. We attended the second event, and it was brilliant.
The tasting menu consisted of ten courses, with Chef DK and Chef Som taking turns to serve up awe-inspiring dishes. Each course displayed a New Asian sensibility and a focus on Indian cuisine, which is a great inspiration for both chefs.
Despite being a four-hands collaboration, the entire experience from start to finish went very smoothly—each dish was reflective of the personalities and cooking styles of the chefs, but were still cohesive when served altogether as a meal.
The highlight of the dinner was the pathuri maach, the very same dish that the Haoma crew made for the meal donation. Usually served wrapped in banana leaf, this version featured a chunky of sea bass drizzled with spicy masala on rice.
#NoOneHungry is a food event that we’d like to see more often. Apart from enabling the more privileged to take part in helping those on the opposite end of the social spectrum, it also allows chefs to come up with creative and adventurous endeavors that can once again uplift the local culinary scene.
Chef DK has promised more #NoOneHungry dinners in the future, so watch this space for updates.