Ah, lamprais. One of many comfort food favourites for lunch, and there’s nothing quite like tucking into a warm serving of rice cooked in chicken stock, alongside seeni sambol, blachan, brinjal pahe, cutlet and a succulent piece of chicken. Lamprais.lk happens to be Colombo’s very first venture dedicated to lamprais deliveries and is just a little over a month old. Today, on the Food Factor, we speak to Mohamed Ahlam, co-owner of the venture.
Tell us a little bit about how you started this venture, and what made you get into it?
I have wanted to get into the food business for the longest time since my early twenties. Having said that I have never had the time or resources to move forward with my plan. I personally went through an extremely difficult period since last year. While in the process of switching jobs I was unemployed for a couple of months and wanted to pursue my dream of having my own food business. Coincidentally my former boss who I was close to contacted me and suggested the lamprais idea. His inspiration, encouragement and moral support has helped me launch the faded dream of mine which has now come to reality in my life. Call it coincidence or faith but things always have a way of working out in the end.
When did you start Lamprais.lk?
After a series of tests and trials amongst family and friends we launched Lamprais.lk on August 26 this year.
What does the entire menu consist of?
At this time we are only focusing on lamprais. Lamprais is a Dutch Burgher-influenced Sri Lankan dish. Our lamprais has its own twist and recipe! It consists of rice with spices, brinjal pahe, seeni sambol, blachan and cutlet (fish / vegetable) along with either chicken, fish or vegetables. It comes wrapped in a banana leaf, oven baked and yum!
What are the most popular customer favourites for orders?
At this time it's chicken.
Where do you source your ingredients from?
Vegetables are purchased fresh from the market. Chicken and fish are brought from reputed suppliers.
How has the response been so far?
It has been amazing! I am humbled and grateful. At the same time any new business also has its challenges, therefore we are taking things one step at a time.
What are the future plans for Lamprais.lk?
We hope to move to a bigger place to better serve our customers and further add to our product portfolio.
Do you do deliveries, or is it just takeaway orders?
Yes, we do deliveries as well as take away orders too.
How can customers make an order? What is the minimum order?
Customers can call our hotline at 0755 195195. There is no minimum order quantity.
How early does an order need to be made?
A day’s notice is needed for larger orders. For smaller quantities we prepare daily.
By Sarah Kellapatha
Photographs courtesy Lamprais.lk
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