Ashley Fernandes

In our quest for creative Goans, ItsGoa caught up with Ash (Ashley) Agnelo Fernandes who is an artist par excellence. His art is not with paint but with fruits, vegetables and ice. He is the proprietor of ‘Fruit Deco.’ Born in Carmo Gracias Hospital, Margao to Luis Gonzago and Sofia Fernandes, Ash studied in Our Lady of Lourdes School, Utorda and later completed his higher education in Food & Beverage Service from Fr. Basilio Andrade Higher Secondary School, Majorda. He finally did a hotel management course from Fr. Agnel Ashram, Verna. He is currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Latent Talent and the Journey Forward

As a child, Ash loved to draw, paint, sing and carve fruits and ice. Though his childhood ambition was to become a model or an actor, the handsome lad's career took a different turn. During his stint as a parttimer with a catering company in Goa, Ash watched fruit carving displays which fascinated him. He decided to give it a try on his own. Practicing fruit carvings by himself helped hone his skills. He was good at drawing, so shapes and forms came naturally to him. Says Ash, “I met a well-known caterer named Xavier Pereira who is the owner of Pereira Caterers at San Jose De Areal. He not only appreciated my carvings, but I also got a chance to learn different styles and techniques of carving.”

Competitions

Ash participated in several competitions for Drawing, Painting, Wealth out of Waste, Christmas Star making and Fruit carving in Goa. While in the US, he also participated in several competitions such as fruit carvings, Halloween party costume making and star competitions for which he usually won the first prizes. “I was hired twice for fruit display by the organizing company of the famous ‘America’s Biggest Rodeo Festival’ for which I was felicitated”, he says. “I was also selected for the US Food Art Festival, but unfortunately, I could not participate in the same due to travel restrictions during the pandemic and lack of partners since it was a group competition”, he adds.

Experience that led to Business

Ashley says that his mom used to often wonder where the watermelons disappeared from their farm as he used to get his hands on a few to practice carving. Beginning at the age of 13, while he was working as a part time waiter for a catering service, Ashley started practicing carving on fruits, vegetables

and ice. He has not received any formal education in fruit and vegetable carving, but his creations are magical and awe-inspiring.

After completing his hotel management course, Ashley joined Holiday Inn Resort at Cavelossim in 2005, initially as an assistant. After working there for a couple of years, he was promoted to Pantry Chef and served in that position until 2008. He used to do carvings at parties held at the resort and also for catering services as a side income. Owing to his skill in carving, Ashley was selected as a kitchen help on the Princess Cruiseliner in 2008 when he was 21. “I worked on the cruiseliner until 2010. This gave me the chance to experience how top chefs carve”, he says.

After moving to the United States in 2010, Ashley used to do fruit carvings at his workplace in stores where customers were impressed and appreciated his carvings. This inspired him to continue doing the same on a bigger platform.

‘Fruit Deco’ was born

Ash began his business career right from the time he set foot in the US. Going by the name ‘Fruit Deco’, Ash took orders for parties, events etc. He used to get hired by companies or individuals to carve displays for events or functions. He was hired quiet often by a Houston based company called ‘Brothers Produce’, for whom he put up some of the most amazing displays.

He charges anywhere between $60 to $80 for a watermelon carving. depending on the size. For bigger events, he earns anywhere between $2000 to

$3000, but those displays are very big. “I already take party orders for fruit displays and other decorations. Hopefully, I may open up a retail outlet in Texas very soon”, he says.

His Challenges, Goals and Advice

According to Ashley, one of the major challenges faced by him is the “selection of right fruits for carvings.” His inspiration and role model he says is Xavier Pereira, the proprietor of Pereira Caterers. “If I went back in time, I would learn from every opportunity I get”, he says. The one famous person that he would like to meet someday is Olivier

Herbomel, the world famous fruit and vegetable carver. “It would be a great opportunity not just to meet him, but also to learn from him.”

Ashley says that in Goa, one can opt for fruit carving as a part time business as opportunity strikes only during the season of occasions. He also says that one must pursue their dreams, no matter how hard you have to work for it.