Juhu's Café Arpan managed by specially-abled staff turns 5, we try their special anniversary menu

Korean style cauli wings. Pics/Aishwarya Deodhar

Juhu-based Cafe Arpan began its journey in 2018, where adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities are hired to manage it. Set up by Sushama Nagarkar and Ashaita Mahajan of Yash Charitable Trust (YCT), this eatery has been a boon for people who are differently abled, but who unfortunately, face an employment gap in the society. This week, the cafe turned five, and there's a lot of excitement amongst the staff. They are even celebrating it with a special menu.

Raj, who was the ‘Team Member of the Month' for July, brings a cup of coffee for a customer

These five years have given the differently abled staff an opportunity to prove that they are no ‘less'. "We have seen a lot of change in them," says Ashaita Mahajan, Trustee, YCT, "Take for example chef Aaron Colaco (who's on the autism spectrum), has been with us since the cafe's inception and has grown confident. He can now work quite independently in the pantry, with maybe just minimal help." The chef's superpower is his eidetic memory that helps him remember multiple recipes by going through it just once or twice.

More than a workspace

The cafe has given birth to friendships too. Ketkee Borkar, who is the manager for the entire food operations of YCT, shares, "Staff spend time with each other working here six days, and so have become great friends. It is nice to see them support each other." In a day, there are around nine to 10 people who work at the eatery, in various shifts.

Chef Aaron prepares a sandwich. The food and recipe charts on the wall that the chef can memorise after just one read

"They have undergone intense training at YCT's skill development centre, with the focus on hard and soft skills, keeping in mind the F&B industry," Borkar says. Based on the strength and skill sets and on what kind of work the trainees are keen to take up; they are allotted work accordingly. The training can go on from a minimum of six to eight months to a year, depending on the individual's progress.

Giving wings

To celebrate, we paid a visit to this sweet little space that has green-bluish walls and met the friendly and warm staff. "Hi. Good morning. Welcome to Cafe Arpan!" We were greeted by Darshi Shah, who had a wide smile on her face, her enthusiasm contagious. After handing us the regular menu, we were also shown the special anniversary menu that has five items based on taste and texture sensations. There's chewy-cream cheese pesto bagel sandwich; firm-Korean style cauli wings; crunchy-mixed herb lavash; creamy-lotus biscoff mousse; and watery-jamun mojito.

Darshi sits by the entrance to welcome people with her lovely smile

The skilled staff is very patient and their high levels of training can be gauged from the way they deal with situations. A customer at the next table had sent back the coffee that was served to her with a request to make it a bit stronger. Raj Revankar, who was on service duty, took the coffee cup back with a smile on his face; while chef Aaron ‘fixed' it. And sometimes, if a staff member does face an issue, Brinal Maithas, who is a special educator and cafe coordinator, helps them through.

Ashaita Mahajan and Sushama Nagarkar. Pic courtesy/Sarika Nerulkar

Mahajan hopes that by seeing how differently abled individuals are successfully managing Cafe Arpan, it may change people's perspective about them. "Maybe this can change the society's outlook and give people equal work opportunities everywhere," she said.

At: Cafe Arpan, Juhu Tara Road, Santacruz West
Call: 7400490008
Log on to: @cafearpanfoodservices