02 August,2014 07:23 AM IST | | Dhara Vora
We invite experts from Mumbai’s thriving food industry to share with us about their go-to places to buy their tools, so you too can fire away with your kitchen ammo
The smoked cocktail made by the chef on TV might be tempting and even easy to make. But all you lack is a smoking gun. We've faced the lack of the right tools to cook before so we decided to get the biggies from the food industry in the city to share a few trade secrets to get our experimenting started.
Representative pics
For those with a sweet tooth, Ayushi Shah of Icing on Top suggests you take a trip to Arife Lamoulde who have several branches in the city, from Borivali to Mulund and stock all your baking needs.
Shah tells us about baking goods shopping in the city, "Most imported equipment is priced at a premium rate, usually four times of the amount at which it's available abroad. It's always good to check what you are purchasing, because many a times, one can be fooled.
For instance, silicon baking trays are very valuable and are worth nearly '3,000-'5,000 abroad. In India, you can buy them for a mere '250. The quality is not the same or even close to similar."
Amrish Arora, owner of Fountain Sizzlers and Flamboyanté says, "One needs to be careful before trying tools such as a blowtorch or high flame burners for cooking Chinese food. For a variety of pasta makers, ravioli moulds, meat mincers and more products, visit Pasta Machine in Fort. Another treasure is STEC India.
They have everything, from barware to kitchen ware. It's like stepping in a department store for kitchen goods." Arora also suggests buying dimsum steamers from Vinod Steel Emporium in Dadar.
If kebabs are what you would like to experiment with, Ishtiyaque Qureshi of Kakori House tells us Rakesh Panchal of Krupa Enterprises is the man to connect with. "Large grills for restaurants or customised smaller ones (which I have gifted to my friends) they will create something exactly according to your needs.
You can also buy skewers from them." One store that has emerged as a go-to store, suggested by everyone is Saria Stove Depot in Lohar Chawl. Chef and food stylist Michael Swamy says, "Blowtorches or good quality knives, this store will leave you with good finds." Sujan Sarkar, chef de cuisine of Olive Bar & Kitchen says the store is one of their most trusted and proven suppliers and have a variety of equipment at a reasonable rate.
