Today we’d like to introduce you to Ghufrana Mahrukh.
Hi Ghufrana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The love of a good culinary experience has been a part of my cultural identity since I can remember. Showing good hospitality and inviting your friends, neighbors or anyone who happens to come by to your table, was woven into the fabric of my home country of Pakistan.
I grew up watching and learning about all the different types of Pakistani foods from the different regions of the country. Everything we made had meaning and everything we shared brought joy to everyone around us.
When I moved to the United States, I kept the love of my cultural influences alive and shared my passion for food with everyone I knew.
It also allowed me to stay connected to my homeland when with I felt nostalgic, it allowed me to relive moments that were meaningful.
There were times however when food became a lifeline. A way to keep myself grounded when a complicated pregnancy and birth of my eldest had me reeling the realities of living in a world that tests us in incredible ways. When it all became too much, I found comfort in what I remembered. At my lowest, I used cooking as a therapy to bring myself out of a dark hole so I could raise my kids well.
The love i had for cooking became my anchor and kept me stable. I turned my focus to the culinary Institute where I was able to learn how to fine-tune my skills and was able to learn about the variety of food from around the world.
It was through this that the seeds of curiosity grew into a desire to expand my passion for making new things and helped me harness my love of sharing food with people.
Heavens Bistro Bakery has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.
A place where people can come and share in rich foods, love of trying new things, and where I can give back to a community that has become a part of my identity.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Challenges- Find the right employees, set the right menu based on customer demand.
Obstacles- New business and marketing and survival to keep the business running during COVID-19 in less than a year. Shortage of employees during the pandemic.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I want to create something that makes me feel good and at the end of the day instead of feeling tired makes me feel energetic.
Creative and unique products,
What matters most to you?
High-quality products
Good customer service
Nice and friendly environment
Image Credits
Mirza Tahir Baig
