ItsGoa - February 2022 Edition

People, Food, Travel, Hospitality

Goa is gearing up to celebrate the most colourful and fun-filled event of the year.

Coworking Cafes GOAN CARNIVAL THE ANEESH GERA

A few coworking cafes in Goa for those planning a workcation in North Goa

Nyeree Viegas doesn’t limit her style to one niche. She loves to experiment with fashion, nutrition, travel, décor and more.

Juvella D’Gama

With 70K+ followers, Juvella

D’Gama is easily one of Goa’s top Instagrammers and fashion bloggers. He enjoys a massive fan following, with online streams already crossing the 5 million mark.

LUXUARY VILLAS I GOA SERVICE APARTMENTS

Private villas have become a very popular choice for accommodation.

SServiced apartments come in Studio, 1/2/3 BHK, varients

Nyeree Viegas MANUELA GOMES

Manuela Gomes is a busy woman. From commissioned artwork to painting glimpses of Goa, she keeps herself busy.

AUTHENTIC GOAN SEAFOOD

Goan Seafood Restaurants in North Goa To Try Some Tisreo & Kaalwa Fry

Editorial

Hello Friends, Goans, and Statesmen,

Welcome to another edition, the Spring issue of ItsGoa.com. Right now our Goan landscape is vibrant with hues of green, yellow, mauve, pink, etc. Fields are teeming with herbs and vegetables. Wild blossoms dot the countryside. Village house gardens vie for attention with all the varieties of flowering plants that they can possibly accommodate in their little outdoor spaces. Mango trees are laden with fragrant flowers as tiny ‘toram’ (raw mangoes) peep out of the thick mango foliage. Goa’s famous Mancurad, the king of all Mangoes, surpasses all other varieties in sweetness and texture. Its bright orange flesh is irresistible. Almost every house in Goa boasts of at least one mango, one jackfruit, and one guava, chickoo, or breadfruit tree. Not forgetting the banana and papaya. Some even have a cashew tree. It's the best season to procure fresh homegrown organic vegetables like palak (spinach), mulo (white radish), tambdi bhaji (red leafy amaranth), bhende (lady’s finger), vangi (brinjal) straight from the fields. Goa is also famous for its wild berries like jambalam, kanta, bora, chunnam, chirputtam, kokum, etc. which are unique

in flavour. Tiny baby jackfruits hang gently from the jackfruit-laden strong boughs. The best season to be in Goa. Spring brings life and festivities to our tiny state. February heralds the famous Carnaval in Goa. An annual festival that occurs before the onset of Lent with float parades, street parties and Carnaval Balls. The Carnaval has come to attract people of all communities locally as well as cross-border. This year, despite the Covid19 pandemic, the Carnaval will be held from 26th February to 1st March 2022 in four locations i.e. in Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco and Margao. Being passionate about Goem and Goenkarponn and the preservation of our heritage for posterity brought to mind an incident a few years back. I was shopping in Mapusa market. Now, many vendors in the market are from outside Goa, who only understand Hindi. With that in mind, one tends to blurt out words in Hindi asking for what you need. To my embarrassment and surprise, I got a reply in Konkani!! Not only that, I was asked whether I was an outsider? And if not then why wasn’t I speaking in Konkani? So, after profuse apologies, and explanations I was happy to continue in Konkani. Such is the mindset of the true blue sons of the soil. Another incident I experienced in Panaji, again a few years back, at a wholesaler in Medical Equipment. We had gone to purchase an orthopedic waist belt. The owner was so happy to know that we were Goan and that our children were running their own IT business in Goa. His lament was that so many Goans were leaving Goa. Let's hope better sense prevails.

Jessyl Fernandez

Get in touch:

Nordic Intent HQ, Lane 4, PDA Colony, Near Le Magnifique, Bardez Goa – 403521 +91-9765419976 mail@itsgoa.com

Index

01 Coworking Cafes in Goa

02 Aneesh Gera

03 Luxuary villas in North Goa

04 Juvella Dgama

05 Service Apartments in Goa

06 Manuela Gomes

07 The Goan Carnival

08 Delfinos Goa

09 Neyree Viegas

10 Authentic Goan Seafood

11 Chef Patrick Albert

Introduction

Goa, the tiniest state on the western coast of India, boasts golden pristine beaches, palmfringed avenues, flavourful food, delicious Portuguese-influenced sweets, and warm, hospitable people. Also known as the Ibiza of India for its partying. A tropical paradise of flora and fauna, from the very famous 'almi' (mushrooms) endemic to its forests, that grow only on the red mud anthills, to the solar prawns that are fished immediately after the monsoons, Goa is unique. Tourists are also attracted to Goa for its cultural heritage - from the famous old Portuguese churches like Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the 16th Century Safa Masjid in Ponda and Shree Mangesha Temple in Mardol, the legendary Arvalem or Pandava Caves where the Pandavas of the Mahabharat fame lived, to its two unique festivals - Carnival and Shigmo. Goa plays host to many festivals

- the International Film Festival of India that promotes cinema, the Serendipity Art Festival, Sunburn Music Festival, The Grape Escapade to name a few. To showcase this varied heritage of culture, art, tradition, food, and people, in 2015 ItsGoa was born. The main aim was to make it the premier portal for all things Goa. We were able to showcase Goa like never before. Soon our blog-based website transcended the virtual space, with the ItsGoa magazine a sought-after resource for visitors to Goa from countries like Norway, Germany, UK, USA, UAE, etc. The Covid Pandemic in 2020 brought everything to a standstill and printing of the magazine was put on hold. Now that life is almost back to normal in Goa, and to maintain the covid norms, we have decided to launch our very own ItsGoa magazine online.

A little about our Magazine

Think of Goa! Think ItsGoa! Our magazine is known for its business listings of basically anything and everything found in Goa. We also produce uniquely written articles in regard to Goa. Some of these folk tales you quite literally will not find anywhere else on the net. These rich in content stories are passed down from generation to generation in the villages of golden Goa. We also provide up-to-date news and information on travel, food, and events that are taking place in this beautiful State of Goa. The content on ItsGoa is written by people who are passionate about calling this tiny state their home. Our writers come from all walks of life, and through our social media handles on Facebook or Instagram, we re able to showcase Goa through many different lenses.

The ItsGoa magazine is a single point of reference for news, lifestyle, and culture in Goa.

Coworking Cafes in Goa For Those On A Workcation

Photograph: Justin Lim

The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc all across the world when it first reached its peak in early 2020. Schools closed down, many people lost their jobs, flights were cancelled, and many companies suffered huge financial losses. The pandemic brought about a lot of changes in the way our world functions. School and college classes have gone online, seminars and webinars are being held virtually, and people can now work remotely from any location they prefer. Remote working is the new normal in a large number of firms globally. It has given people the flexibility to work for their firm from any part of the world.

The tiny state of Goa has become a very popular spot for people who come to the state on a ‘workcation’. Many professional workers from different parts of India are seen in Goa, enjoying all that the state has to offer, and at the same time doing their work for their respective firms.

Due to Goa's rising popularity as a destination for workcations, many nice cafes have come up in Goa, which provide a nice and peaceful environment for remote workers to do their work using WiFi and at the same time enjoy some nice snacks and drinks.

Here's a list of the best coworking cafes in Goa for those planning a workcation in North Goa.

Café Bodega, Altinho

Starting the list of top coworking cafes in Goa is Bodega. This cafe is situated in the Sunaparanta Centre for Arts at Altinho in the heart of Goa’s capital Panaji. The cafe has a cool and pleasant vibe. It serves as an ideal place to work in peace and have a quick bite at the same time. The place is open from 8.30 a.m in the morning till 6. 30 p.m in the evening. It offers a variety of delicious food such as pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and pasta to name a few. One can spend their whole day liaising with their office colleagues, replying to work emails, and doing other office-related work using the superfast WiFi available at the cafe. One must try the scrambled eggs with a whole-wheat toast along with a plate of smoked salmon and ham for breakfast. For lunch, one must try the chicken mole with scallion rice and tomato or the creamy garlic mushroom pasta.

Café de Goa, Saligao

Next on the list of best coworking cafes in Goa is Cafe de Goa. Cafe de Goa, located at Saligao, is a nice place to spend your day working remotely while munching on some delicious snacks at the same time. The cafe has a beautiful outdoor garden set-up and a comfy indoor sitting space as well. The service provided at the cafe is insanely quick! They have a well-curated menu and a variety of choices to choose from. Everything that is served at Cafe de Goa is simply too good!

One must try their Tomato Caprese Bruschetta, Chicken Sliders, and Fish and chips. The chefs at the cafe are kind enough to suggest some nice delicacies from their vast menu if you are confused about what to order! Also, the hospitality is very warm at the cafe. If you want to chill away from the crowd by nature and some scrumptious food, then this is the place you gotta be at!

Bombay Coffee Roasters Cafe, Fontainhas

Bombay Coffee Roasters cafe is a nice cosy coffee place tucked in the corner of a street in Panjim. It is spread over two floors. You have a seating area on the ground floor right next to the counter and then upstairs, there are some amazing comfortable couches with a business centre type table wherein you can sit with your laptop and get your work done. The place does have WiFi access, so it's an ideal place for remote working. The cafe serves organic and healthy foods.

You must order their chocolate brownie, muffin, and hot chocolate. Their lemon cake is also good. Those who are vegetarians can order their iced latte with soya milk and any one of their vegan desserts! If you're in Panjim and craving a good coffee, head towards Bombay Coffee Roasters Cafe without any hesitation!

Coffee Cove, Porvorim

The best part about this cafe is that though it is on a busy street with popular cafes around, it is calm, quiet, and cool. This air-conditioned cafe is the ideal place to spend a day working peacefully. The cafe is large with very few people at any given time, so there's a lot of silence which allows you to focus on your work. For breakfast, one can try their

Patto area of Panjim looking for a light meal with a decent ambience should visit Myles High Bakehouse. The cafe is very airy, spacious, and well lit. It is a nice place to relax and chill. You can have your choice of snacks, meals, desserts or something to sip from their collection of hot and cold drinks. The food offered is served in good portions and are reasonably priced.

environment, make new friends, and enjoy some lipsmacking snacks and drinks at the same time.

Website:

Photograph: Koushik Pal

Aneesh Gera is a Goan DJ and record producer who has performed at numerous music events across India, and the world.

He started his career at a time when only a handful of Goan DJs existed. He’s a boy from Goa who simply pursued his lifelong affair with music to now become one of India’s best DJs. Aneesh Gera is also India’s first dance music producer to be featured on the US Billboard Dance Chart. He’s performed with BT, Above and Beyond, Swedish House Mafia, Paul Van Dyk, Pete Tong, and numerous other artists. Featuring him on our Humans of Goa series was a no-brainer as Gera has without doubt, taken Goa to progressive (pun) heights. Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Let’s get a glimpse of

Tell us about yourself…

The world knows me as Aneesh Gera. I am a Goan DJ and my profession includes all things music. https://in.askmen.com/in-the-spotlight/1116409/ article/aneesh-gera-is-all-about-taking-yousomewhere-with-his-music

What was that one moment when you decided that mixing tracks and entertaining people is what I want to do full time? Why not something else? I LOVE music! The idea of mixing 2, 3 or 4 records on top of each other to create something new has always worked for me. In fact, creating a set is an evolution. It’s an art form in itself. That makes me an artist. My passion and profession is Music.

A bit about your role models. Any aspects or traits that makes them so… (can be from the art world too that many people don’t know about) I have met several of them across the years. It’s usually the ones who can afford to have an ego that don’t want to meet. and vice versa. Then again, it’s a great lesson, although each situation is different. Quincy Jones, BT, The Chemical Brothers are people I would love to emulate. I really admire the works of Paul Gauguin

Any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything…

Several actually. I’ve had my fair share of setbacks. It’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you pick yourself up, and move on forward.

What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it? Personally, I wear a few hats in the music industry. At one point, even up to nine different roles. So for me it's about doing justice to each of them without compromising on quality & integrity.

Name your favourite DJ (or musician) or anyone in your industry that you want to be like. Any fanboy moment you experienced or precious advice someone gave you?

Meeting Roger Sanchez/Eric Prydz & the Swedes in London (The Swedish House Mafia) was pretty surreal.

Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past? And what would you ask him/her?

Any of the greats – Ray Charles, MJ, ACDC, Aretha Franklin, Etta James etc. I’d just want to listen and learn. Can you imagine their challenges & yet they’ve overcome them. Simply inspiring.

Can you write a couple of lines for us here on the topic of “Music is Life”?

The one true universal language. It breaks down all barriers and stigmas. Nothing comes even close to it.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you recall that helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life with help from fam? My Mum has been a rock throughout my music career. Starting off as a DJ at 17 in 2001, the world then was very different.

The profession was frowned upon (to say the very least) and had a fair bit of stigma attached to it.

There were loads of misconceptions. But my Mum has stood by me and supported me through all that.

She supported my foray in DJing, Audio Engineering, Music Production, Writing Music, starting my own record label, hosting radio shows, and going on international tours.

She still is my harshest critic. As it should be.

How did the entrepreneurial journey start? What were the DJ learnings that shaped you to grow?

Unintentionally, I just wanted to be a DJ and now its 10% of what I do

What were people’s feedback (negative and positive), and who stood by you the most?

That’s something you’ll have to ask people, but for me it's essential to surround myself with good positive people within my circle.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?

I want to contribute to my industry and help it grow. I want to pave the way for the next generation of music creators. Putting Goa on the map has always been close to heart.

Tell us about the NFT tie up with RCRDSHP. What makes this game changing for DJs & how does it benefit music production?

This is for music artists, songwriters, music producers and beyond. To be signed to one of the biggest agencies in the world for NFTs is massive. I’m buzzing with how our sales have been thus far. It’s incredible and really exciting, especially for an industry that’s taken a beating for the past 25 years.

Website:

Villas in North Goa To Experience The Luxury It Offers

Private

Photograph: Kelly Sikkema

Private villas have become a very popular choice for accommodation among tourists visiting Goa. Even though the state has several hotels and resorts which cater to travellers with different budgets, many tourists have been trying villas as a place to put up during their holidays in Goa.

There are various reasons for this. Firstly, living in your private villa gives you a feeling of being in your own home away from home. Secondly, you end up enjoying more privacy when you stay in a villa as compared to when you stay at a hotel or a resort. Thirdly, you can get exclusive access to facilities like a swimming pool, a garden, a BBQ area and various other amenities, exclusively for yourself and those accompanying you. You don't have to share these facilities with anyone else, the way you do when staying in a hotel.

Due to its rising popularity as an alternative option for accommodation, several private rental villas have come up in Goa, which offers guests a nice place to put up during their holiday.

In this article, we explore the top 5 best villas in North Goa to stay in during your next holiday in North Goa.

Villa Kinara

Starting the list of top villas in North Goa is Villa Kinara. Situated in the sleepy village of Reis Magos in North Goa, Villa Kinara promises an idyllic holiday. Aptly named, the retreat offers spectacular views of a river as chirping birds provide a nice background score. In true Goan style, the modern interiors of the villa are combined with a shack-like exterior, making this sanctuary ideal for guests looking to soak up some sun, go to a beach, or rest on cabana chairs and unwind at their private infinity pool.

The villa has 4 bedrooms - 2 on the ground floor and 2 on the first floor. AC's are provided in all the rooms. The rooms on the first floor have balconies. All rooms have attached bathrooms with geysers, towels and toiletries.The living room has a portable music system and Wi-Fi access. It has seating arrangements for up to 12 people. A private infinity pool is available for the guests to use.

Complimentary Breakfast is provided to guests at the villa. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are prepared, based on the guests' preference. The caretaker of the villa prepares lunch at an additional cost. Guests can order in or go out to nearby restaurants such as Wan Hao, The Lazy Goose Restaurant, The Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant, and The Black Sheep Bistro Restaurant to name a few.

Royal Marigold by SaffronStays, Vagator

Next on the list of villas in North Goa is Royal Marigold. Step back in time when you check into SaffronStays Royal Marigold, a 1629-built heritage villa in Vagator, Goa. This stunning 5-bedroom private pool villa in North Goa is just 5 minutes away from the Vagator beach and is a great choice because of its proximity to all the nearby tourist attractions. It is the perfect place to put up in Vagator, when on a short adventure trip with friends or an annual holiday with your family.

The spacious living room, the lazy lawns and priceless vintage furniture create the perfect royal Portuguese vibe. A private pool under tall palm trees makes the place all the more special. You can try your hand at perfecting those quarantine recipes in the well-stocked, expansive kitchen. Even though the home is in one of Goa's best residential societies, the gated entrance for this villa ensures that guests get complete privacy.

Island House Goa, Divar Island

The Island House Goa, situated at Divar Island, is the perfect place for a staycation, a honeymoon, an anniversary, or a college reunion party. It is a 108year-old villa that has been restored and retrofitted with all modern-day amenities. The staff is very courteous and helpful.

The living areas of the villa are large and spacious. The main hall alone can seat 20 people comfortably. The dining area and the art attic are beautifully arranged. The villa has a large kitchen, which is fully equipped with every basic necessity to meet your culinary needs. The large swimming pool is the villa's pride, designed with natural stones for that rustic island feel on the beautiful sprawling green lawns.

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The villa offers four beautiful air-conditioned rooms. Two very large Master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms are on the first level overlooking the pool and lawn. On the ground level, there is one Master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. There is also another bedroom on the ground level with 2 single beds and a shared bathroom.

Guests can enjoy surfing the net using high-speed WiFi or spend time reading books in the mini library. The villa is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of North Goa and is very close to supermarkets, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and various other tourist attractions.

Villa Calangute , Calangute

Villa Calangute is a superbly located beach villa in Calangute, just a 2-minute walk from the beach, close to all the local amenities, flea markets, restaurants, supermarkets, and beauty salons and spas. The villa is built in a charming, traditional Portuguese style and is maintained to a very high standard. The villa is spread over 2 levels with 4 bedrooms, one of which is on the ground floor (pink bedroom). All the luxury bedrooms have elegant French windows which lead onto a large balcony. Each balcony has comfortable seating where you can sit down and soak in the sea breeze. The blue bedroom and pink bedroom have king-size beds, whereas the gold bedroom and green bedroom have twin beds. All bedrooms have air conditioners, ceiling fans, wardrobes, mirrors and bedside tables.

Each bathroom contains a unique luxury Kohler hand basin, vanity mirror, western style WC and rain shower with hot and cold water. The blue master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and a separate bathtub room. The downstairs bathroom is located next to the pink bedroom. The green and gold bedrooms share a family bathroom with a roll-in shower, over the counter basin, and customised laser cut overhead vanity lighting.

Casa Lénas, Candolim

Lastly, on the list of best villas in North Goa is Casa Lenas. Casa Lénas is a characteristic Indo-Portuguese restored 100-year-old cottage, located in a quiet neighbourhood in the beautiful village of Candolim. It is only 2 minutes walking distance from the magnificent Candolim beach.

It has a private garden and a veranda and can accommodate up to 7 guests.

This cottage has 2 air-conditioned bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and 1 bedroom with a separate bathroom. The cottage has a large living room and a dining room with a table and 6 chairs. It also has a nice kitchen, equipped with amenities like a fridge, a freezer, a toaster, and a 4 burner gas stove.

The 2 bedrooms downstairs have king-sized beds, wardrobes and luggage space. The attached bathrooms have rain showers and are stocked with basic toiletries. The 3rd bedroom is upstairs with its bathroom downstairs.

The rooms of the cottage have high ceilings constructed in teak wood with terracotta tiles that maintain the cool environment. There are ceiling fans throughout the cottage. The garden surrounding the cottage contains a large patio area providing privacy and shade. The property comes with amenities like an inverter, telephone, a safe, cable TV, and free wifi. The cottage is your ideal home far away from home. It is perfect for families with children or couples.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head down to one of these amazing private villas in North Goa to experience Goa from your own home away from home. Make your bookings now!

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Her ‘Fashiondicted’ blog covers everything from travel, lifestyle, personal wellbeing and more.

Getting her to feature on Humans of Goa was something we had to do. We spoke to her about her journey, strengths, passion, and the road ahead. Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Let’s jump right in…

Tell us about yourself…

My name is Juvella D’Gama. My loved ones call me “Juvel”. I live in Porvorim and I am an Instagram Influencer cum Fashion Blogger.

What was that one moment when you decided, “That’s it! I want to become a fashion influencer” Well, when I was 18 I loved taking pictures of everything I wore and posting them on social media. Randomly, a brand approached me for a collaboration, and that’s when I realised that there is so much more I can do on Instagram. So, from a fashion blogger I became a fashion influencer.

Why just lifestyle & fashion? Why not something else?

Well, I’m not just a fashion and lifestyle blogger anymore, I started with that yes, but now I am also into Travel and Food blogging. I love creating content that gives people reasons and ideas to take inspiring pictures themselves when they are on their vacation.

A bit about your role models. People you look up to when creating content? Well, my role model is Selena Gomez. I love to keep my fashion statement just like hers – chic and poised.

Any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything…

It was when I won the award by B&B as the Best Fashion Blogger Goa for 2019. That helped me get a lot of added projects/brands for collaborations and shoots.

What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it? Well, my biggest challenge was handling my office work plus my Instagram Lifestyle Page. I believe when you want something really bad you have to give it your 100 percent. This includes blood, sweat, and tears. You can never stop. This is still a challenge for me even now. I’m not free for even a day in my life but I manage because I love what I do and I’m blessed to live this life.

Any memories as a kid you’d like to share?

Something that helped shape you as a person? My mother is my biggest supporter. She is actually the reason why I am what I am. She’s my photographer as well. So everything that you see is only possible because of her.

Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past (personal or celebrity)? And what would you ask him/her?

Well, everyone I adore, I have them with me at the present moment.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self? I would tell myself to never give up, to fight for my dreams no matter what opinion others have of me. I was bullied for having a poor Instagram feed. People said I was faking all the brands who were working with me. But that didn’t stop my journey. It’s always important to focus on how you can get better rather than just quitting and allowing your haters to win.

What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you remember when family or friends helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life? Oh my family is amazing. They have always supported me in every way.

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What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?

For those who think that being an influencer on Instagram is no big deal, I would want them to change their perspective. In Goa, people don’t really know about the perks of being an influencer and

Serviced Apartments in Goa for Short-term

Serviced apartments come in Studio, 1 BHK, 2 BHK and 3 BHK variants and are a part of a building complex.

There are a large number of hotels and resorts available in Goa to cater to the accommodation needs of tourists who visit the beautiful sunshine state every year. However, there are various other lodging options available in Goa that offer a slightly different experience as compared to staying in a conventional hotel or resort. One among these alternative accommodation options is the category of serviced apartments. Serviced apartments come in Studio, 1 BHK, 2 BHK and 3 BHK variants and are a part of a building complex. They contain facilities like a swimming pool, gymnasium, and sometimes even a restaurant or cafeteria. The rooms of these apartments are fully furnished and are equipped with all the necessary amenities that you may require during your short holiday. It also gives you the freedom to enjoy your holiday peacefully without being disturbed by room service or concierge. For those who prefer a serviced apartment over a conventional hotel or resort for their next trip to Goa, here’s a list of the best serviced apartments in Goa.

Hiline Hotels Serviced Apartments, Calangute

Starting the list of best serviced apartments in Goa is Hiline Hotels. This Serviced Apartment is located at a prime location in Calangute. All the apartments at the property have attached balconies that face a large swimming pool located in the centre. They also have an attached bathroom with hot water, a fridge, a TV, a sofa, a dining area, and much more. The property has a common garden and seating area, along with a bar and a restaurant. All major attractions are located within walking distance of the property. Calangute Beach is just a 5-minute walk away, while the Calangute Fish and Vegetable markets are just 1 minute away. Guests can enjoy easy access to all the flea markets, shopping streets and nightlife of Goa when they stay at this place. The accommodation provides airport shuttle and pick-up and drop service for its guests.

Casa Del Sol, Anjuna

Next on the list of best serviced apartments in Goa is Casa Del Sol. This is an upscale gated complex, located in the Anjuna area, in North Goa. The property houses 5 luxury villas and 9 luxury apartments. The complex has 24-hour security, a swimming pool, 24 hour supply of hot water, a BBQ station, power backup for all the units and lush

landscaped gardens. The property is very close to the world-famous Saturday Night Market, Club Cubana, Splashdown water park, and the Go-karting track at Arpora. It is approx 2 km from Anjuna beach. There are loads of places to eat and party nearby. The property also arranges to pick up their guests by a private AC Taxi from the Airport or Train Station for a nominal fee. They also help in arranging rental bikes or cars for their guests.

Treehouse Blue, Majorda

Treehouse Blue consists of 22 plush serviced apartments, ideally located in the quiet and serene village of Majorda. It is just 4 kilometres away from Majorda Beach. The apartments feature 5 spacious Studio apartments and 17 One Bedroom apartments with contemporary furnishings. These apartments offer a full range of modern amenities to serve family, business and leisure travellers. For family travellers, Treehouse Blue offers large air-conditioned apartments that can accommodate the entire family. A spacious living, dining, full-service modular kitchen, a master bedroom with closets, writing desk, couch convertible bed, T.V and more are included in these apartments. For a business traveller, Treehouse Blue offers air-conditioned and self-contained Studio apartments with Wi-Fi Internet access and everything that one would require for a comfortable business visit. The idyllic surroundings contain a swimming pool as well as indoor & outdoor game areas.

Clark

Serviced Apartments, Calangute

Lastly, on the list of best serviced apartments in Goa is Living Room at Clarks. This property is perfectly suitable for families. It has a nice pool and very quiet surroundings. The rooms in each apartment are good, with a small kitchen attached. You can cook as gas and other necessary items are available in the kitchen. You almost feel like being at home when staying at this place. This property is located off the main Calangute market. So you have easy access to all your needs. It is also very close to the beach. A very good homestay and good value for money.

So, what are you waiting for? Head down to one of these amazing serviced apartments in Goa to enjoy a nice and peaceful holiday at a home away from home.Make your bookings now!

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa

Manuela Gomes

Manuela Gomes is a busy woman. From commissioned artwork to painting glimpses of Goa, she keeps herself super busy.

The biggest challenge was the idea of pursuing this skill with a mindset of treating it like a hobby!

It actually took us 2 months to get an interview with her, but it was well worth it.

Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Let’s jump right in…

Tell us about yourself…

My name is Maria Manuela Mendonca Gomes. I am a Goan artist that paints for a living and it can’t get any better than this! I live in Porvorim and have a studio in Mapusa. My Instagram handle is –@manuelarrrtista

What was that one moment when you decided that, “That’s it! I want to tell a story via a painting, especially as a Goan artist” Well, it did not happen overnight, it was a long process. Painting for me didn’t really start out as a means of self-expression but as gaining the confidence to have refined painting skills.

Why become an artist? Why not something else? I knew this is something I was ready to struggle for as compared to the regular academic options that were presented to me. And fortunately I had an extremely supportive family.

A bit about your role models. Any aspects or traits that makes them so… (can be from the art world too that many people don’t know about) I really admire the works of Paul Gauguin, I hope to someday paint like him. And I am inspired by the works of Edward Hopper.

What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it? The biggest challenge was the idea of pursuing this skill with a mindset of treating it like a hobby. I overcame it by being extremely regular, painting even during the uninspired days and treating it like a with the next one.

full-time job with a designated space and time to finish the tasks. Another challenge I would like to highlight is lingering too long on an artwork, because art is subjective and you can go on and on, over a painting. I had to overcome the idea of letting go of the painting once it had reached a certain stage just so I could start

What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you recall that helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life?

Well I am where I am today because of my super supportive family. I try to make the most of the opportunities given to me by my family and it has helped make this journey a lot more comfortable.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?

Haha, well I haven’t really thought that far ahead, I just try to focus on the next week's projects, and get through one day at a time. Website:

The city to roll out the red carpet for the Panjim City Carnaval Celebrations

Panaji, Feb 2022: The city of Panjim will come alive later this month in the spirit of Carnival and don a colourful look as citizens come together to celebrate Panjim City Carnaval - a four day extravaganza between 26 Feb and 1st March 2022.

"The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has planned a series of events across the city along with industry stakeholders, citizens and community champions. Like previous years, this year too citizens, establishments and the city authority will join forces to celebrate and revive the nostalgia of the years gone by, explained Agnelo Fernandes, Commissioner of the City of Panaji.

"The float parade will kick off at 3.00pm and will have several categories including Traditional, Club and Institutions, Family, Junk and Jokers", he added.

The centrally located Jardin Garcia de Orta will transform into the Samba Square during the four day celebration so that people can come together and celebrate the festivities in true Samba style.

This year the city has added other venues - the newly renovated walkway along the Miramar beach and other venues around the city. In addition, cycle tours and walking trails will be held in the city.

Explained Vincent Ramos, Area Director, Taj Group of Hotels, "The Food and Beverage trade community has come together to support the city authorities in the efforts. Hotels, restaurants and culinary hotspots across the city have planned to bring the flavour of carnaval into their establishments by curating special carnival themes menus and decor to celebrate the efforts of the city. We at the Taj are going to be putting in all efforts to offer a wonderful experience to residents and visitors. We are also going to be bringing in a food truck all the way from Mumbai to be part of the Carnaval culinary extravaganza. "

"A culinary extravaganza with a host of food stalls and culinary pop-ups has also been planned at Samba Square and Miramar beach front. A dedicated zone is being created for local culinary entrepreneurs or 'foodpreneurs' in an effort by the city to encourage them and offer the foodpreneurs a platform to showcase their creations," explained Prahlad Sukhatankar, restauranter and owner of Blacket Market.

This year Samba Square will see a pop-up bazaar as colourful and quirky as the Carnaval itself featuring products by talented entrepreneurs from the state.

All the venues will feature acts and performances by a host of musicians from across age groups. From konkani language artists to local bands and khel tiatrs to stand up comedians, the venues will be buzzing with music and dance through the event.

Bookworm has planned a host of activities for children of all age groups at the Samba Square. Activities include art workshops, craft sessions, creative games and more. A stray dog adoption zone is also planned where interested individuals can come in to adopt a furry stray and give it a home.

The four day extravaganza will include a vintage car rally, a mobile alvorada winding down the streets, culinary food and heritage trails, pop-up eateries, music and dance.

The traditional Red & Black street dance which is generally held on the last day of the carnaval celebration will be held on the 1st of March 2022. The Goa Carnival is the most unique festival in the culturally vibrant and rich state of Goa.

Panjim City Carnaval To Bring Back The Traditional Alvorada

Panaji, Feb 2022: This year, in an attempt to recreate the beauty of traditions of our past, and to herald the beginning of the Carnaval and the festivities to follow, the 2022 Panjim City Carnaval will witness the age-old Alvorada in action. Alvorada in Portuguese means “awakening" or "the sunrise". The Alvorada is music played in a brass band by locals in Goa at the crack of dawn on the day of any feast, at dawn to wake up the people and to herald the good times to come during Carnaval. This peculiar style of music is known to reverberate through the villages long after the musicians have played their last note for the morning.

"The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has planned a series of events. This includes an Alvorada which will wind through the bylanes and streets of the city and spread some joy and cheer during the festivities”, said Agnelo J Fernandes, Commissioner of the City of Panaji.

This year, to pay homage to the Alvorada, a flatbed truck will be decorated and it will carry a brass band that will perform traditional Goan tunes as it drives through the city and its surrounding areas between 6 am to 8 am. Post this, the decorated truck will be parked at a busy pedestrian area and will give locals and tourists a chance to photograph themselves with a tiny part of our history.

The city of Panjim is gearing up to celebrate Carnaval between 26 Feb and 1st March 2022 with celebrations planned across the city.

The Beach Carnaval to put the spotlight on local 'foodpreneurs'

Panaji, Feb 2022: The pandemic has been tough on many. During the pandemic many people have turned into foodpreneurs, opening small-scale, ‘athome’ businesses offering a variety of food. These ventures are largely driven by passion. The Panjim City Carnaval has decided to put the spotlight on foodpreneurs this year in an effort by the city to encourage them and offer the foodpreneurs a platform to showcase their creations.

"The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has partnered with FIERCE Kitchens, India’s First Culinary Incubator based in Goa to create 'The Beach Carnaval' - a dedicated zone for local culinary entrepreneurs or 'foodpreneurs' at the newly renovated walkway along the Miramar beach. 'The Beach Carnaval' will feature a host of local entrepreneurs who can put up their culinary creations at the venue," explained Agnelo Fernandes, Commissioner of the City of Panaji.

FIERCE Kitchens, the country's first culinary incubator is a collaboration between the Atal Incubation Centre at Goa Institute of Management (AIC-GIM) and Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts (KCCA), Verna.

"The city of Panjim is a leading tourist destination and a melting pot for global cuisine. From fine dining restaurants to culinary trails which offer unique experiences in the intimate setting of residents' homes, Panjim has much to offer. The Beach Carnaval event with the foodpreneur community at its core will add to the culinary experiences which Panjim has to offer," said Parixit Pai Fondekar, Founder, FIERCE Kitchens.

"On behalf of the city of Panaji and with the support and expertise of FIERCE Kitchens and us at AICGIM, we are keen to nominate the city of Panaji as one of the Creative Cities in the gastronomy sector of the ‘UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)'. The Beach Carnaval is the first step in that direction," said Rajesh Joshi, CEO, AICGIM.

"The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. The 246 cities which currently make up this network work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level. Panjim is an ideal fit for this network, " added Joshi

"Moving forward with the vision to create foodpreneurs and culinary innovations that emerge from Goa, FIERCE Kitchens is delighted to partner with the CCP. The culinary incubator is focussed on creating an impact in the global spectrum with local foodpreneurs by providing chef entrepreneurs and home cooks with access to national and global markets and networks," said Fondekar.

The Beach Carnaval at Miramar beach will offer foodpreneurs and aspiring chef entrepreneurs a platform to exhibit and promote their ideas, products, and talent to a diverse audience that visits the Panjim carnival festivities each year. The event will also portray the culture, heritage, and welcoming spirit of Goa. The event will feature foodpreneurs ranging from home cooks, women micro entrepreneurs, pastry and bakery enthusiasts and other hobbyists in the culinary ecosystem. We aim to provide a platform to showcase the local and regional cooking talent to the audiences of the carnival.

The event will also feature local bands playing regional music in Konkani and English. The event is expected to draw a large audience of tourist as well as local audience and it will be a great opportunity for foodpreneurs and enthusiasts to expand their horizons and explore additional markets. We wish to receive continued support from the Corporation of City of Panjim for the event as well as subsequent events in the future towards the cultural enrichment of Panjim City.

The city of Panjim is gearing up to celebrate Carnival between 26 Feb and 1st March 2022 with celebrations planned across the city.

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Delfino's Hymart

This sprawling hypermarket, which boasts 7000 square feet of shopping area, is one of the three branches of the famous Delfino’s chain of hypermarkets run by the Armacar Group of Companies.

If you have ever passed by the busy Alto-Porvorim junction on NH-66, you may have spotted a grand hypermarket bustling with customers, located just next to the Mandovi Hospital. This sprawling hypermarket, which boasts 7000 square feet of shopping area, is one of the three branches of the famous Delfino’s chain of hypermarkets run by the Armacar Group of Companies.

The Armacar Group is a large family-run business conglomerate that has been operating for more than 50 years in Goa. The group is owned and operated by six brothers belonging to the Pereira family from Divar. Established in the early 1950s as L.A. Armacar, the group has since grown and expanded from trading hardware into multiple other avenues and industries, including retail, modern trade, hospitality, designer hardware, lighting and modular kitchens.

The journey of Delfino's began when the Pereira brothers felt that there was a need to provide a nice and convenient, all-under-one-roof shopping experience to the people of Goa. They wanted to start a service, which could help people in procuring all their day to day needs in one place, under one roof, at fair and reasonable prices. It was this vision that gave birth to the Delfino’s chain of hypermarkets.

Being derived from the family surname - ‘De Delfino Pereira’, ‘Delfino’s’ was born. The first outlet of Delfino's hypermarket opened in Candolim in 2012. A good response from the public to their first store motivated the Pereira brothers to set up a much bigger outlet at Porvorim in 2017. The highlight of this particular branch of Delfino's is that it is equipped with deep freezers, which enables the hypermarket to sell fresh line items such as meats, chicken, fish and much more. The deep freezers help in extending the freshness of such kinds of perishable items, by preserving them at scientifically recommended temperatures. The store also features a pharmacy, where people can purchase commonly prescribed drugs and medicines.

The store receives huge footfalls and has slowly turned into one of the most popular shopping destinations for people living in Porvorim and its surrounding areas. The success of their Porvorim branch led to their third store at Taleigao opening its doors to the public in 2021.

In a brief telephonic interview, Mr. Prakash Pereira, one of the six brothers at Armacar Group, spoke to me about the journey of Delfino's Hymart and offered a lot of insights on its vision, its USP, its product offerings, and much more.

Mr. Prakash says that all the items that a housewife requires for her day to day household needs are available at Delfino's hypermarket. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, groceries and staples, daily essentials, a wide variety of meat, fish, and poultry products, cooked food, liquor and beverages. In addition to this, it also offers kitchen appliances, hardware tools, sports equipment, stationery, and cookware, crockery and glassware.

All these items are organised neatly into different sections within the hypermarket, thus making it easier for the customer to find whatever he or she requires. All the branches of Delfino's Hymart are airconditioned and have a very nice, clean and peaceful ambience, which makes the shopping experience for the customer a pleasant one.

Unlike other hypermarkets in Goa, Delfino's does not offer any loyalty programme for its customers. When asked why it is so, Mr. Prakash provided two main reasons. Firstly, he believes that the right way to earn the loyalty of his customers is not through loyalty programmes and schemes, but by offering them good quality products and good service at the lowest rates possible. Mr. Prakash says that the hypermarket chain provides the lowest rates among all the hypermarkets in North Goa. “If people compare the rates offered at Delfino's with the rates and discounts offered at other hypermarkets, they will find the rates at Delfino's to be at least 7-8% lower”, he adds.

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Secondly, he says that a lot of time gets wasted at the cash counter when you offer a customer loyalty programme. “There are cases where customers argue for 1-2 rupees, and a lot of time gets wasted doing recalculations and adjustments”, says Mr. Prakash. Since the outlets of Delfino's Hymart receive high footfalls, he does not want his valuable customers to lose their precious time waiting in long queues.

Mr. Prakash says that youngsters in Goa must try to come out of their shell of working at 9-5 jobs. “Many people in Goa are reluctant to start their own business ventures, because they think that it is not possible to do business in Goa without indulging in corrupt and fraudulent practises”, he says. Mr. Prakash proudly states that for the past 50 years, the Armacar group has been doing business in Goa and has been providing good quality services to its esteemed customers with sincerity, honesty and integrity.

They have never indulged in any unethical and corrupt business practises. He says that Goan youngsters aspiring to start their business ventures can become successful entrepreneurs if they have a clear vision of what services they want to provide to their customers and if they work sincerely and honestly when providing their services.

Mr. Pereira and his team at the Armacar Group are strongly considering the idea of expanding their operations to South Goa. They are currently hunting for an ideal location in places like Fatorda, Borda, and Gogol to set up their store. So, watch out guys! Hopefully, we might spot a Delfino's store somewhere in South Goa very soon.

She makes sure that her followers are updated with the best that travel, food, and stay can offer.

She’s easily one of Goa’s top influencers. So let’s get started. Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Let’s get a glimpse of her life.

Tell us about yourself…

I’m a 20 something lover of all things aesthetic. I love good design, whether it’s a piece of art, furniture, product packaging or even a well color-coordinated Instagram feed. If you look at my Instagram feed, you’ll notice I can’t stick to one genre. That’s exactly how I am in real life too, I have too many interests and I’m always working on the next great idea.

What was that one moment when you decided that, “That’s it! I want to become an influencer” I didn’t decide, I made my first social media account on hi5 when I was just 12 years old, and I loved the process of taking photos and talking about my hobbies and interests, so when Instagram came into the social media scene back in 2012, I was one of the first few to make an account there and because I was so active and kept posting aesthetic content as compared to regular photos, I quickly gained a following. I didn’t have any content strategy in mind or any plans to turn it into a career, it just happened on it’s own. People were interested in what I had to say and I definitely loved being active on the platform, so it worked out.

Why become an influencer? Why not something else?

I wouldn’t call myself an ‘Influencer’ because everyone to some extent is an influencer. My grandmother who recommends a tailor to her friends is technically ‘influencing’ them to go to that particular tailor. The only difference is that I have an audience of 14k people. I’m an entrepreneur by profession,

I run my own Content and Media company and Content Creation is something I enjoy doing on the side as a creative outlet.

To answer the “Why not something else?” I’ve done my MBA from XIME Bangalore, I’ve worked in marketing for ad agencies, I started my own travel venture at the age of 25, I do thrift sales at least once a year and contribute to animal shelters, I’ve worked as a product stylist, an art director, a graphic designer. I love to learn and I don’t stop at one profession.

A bit about your role models. Any aspects or traits that makes them so…(can be from fashion, media, anywhere)

I have different role models for different aspects of my life. When it comes to work, I look up to my late father. He built a thriving business empire from scratch and that always inspires me. When I look at my mother, I’m awed by the way she has overcome so many hardships and has managed to adapt to every situation and obstacle thrown at her.

They say dream big, but both my role models are the people who raised me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Two other strong women I really admire are (1) Michelle Obama, she’s opened up so many doors for women of color and used her platform and influence to help people and bring about a positive change in the world and (2) Sudha Murthy – I just think she’s really badass and was so ahead of her times back in the day. She’s also dabbled in so many professions and excels at them all. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet her and was awed by how down-to-earth she is and that’s something I really respect.

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What role did family and friends play when becoming an influencer? Any quick incident you recall that helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life?

Family and friends have always been extremely supportive.

My mom has helped click photos and take videos of me in so many instances, my friends have always been there when I’ve asked for help in shooting my content and they’ve been extremely supportive with sharing my work as well. I’m grateful to have such positive influences in my life.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?

Ultimately it isn’t the work you’re remembered for, it’s the person you are and the way you’ve impacted the people in your life. Although I’d love to leave behind my work to be remembered by, it’s more important to me to be remembered for the person I am.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa

Goan Seafood Restaurants in North Goa To Try

Some Tisreo & Kaalwa Fry

The beautiful state of Goa, also known as the land of the sun, sand, and the sea, is very famous for its cuisine. Goan recipes have a mixture of Indian and Portuguese influences. Thousands of tourists who come down to Goa for a much-needed vacation eagerly search for places to get a taste of authentic Goan flavours.

Here's a list of the best Goan seafood restaurants in North Goa which offer authentic Goan food.

Vinayak Family Restaurant

Starting the list of top Goan seafood restaurants in North Goa is Vinayak. This family-run restaurant is very simple and basic in terms of decor but the food is outstanding. The decor is simple with lovely open fields to one side and nothing fancy. Their Fish thalisevered only during lunch hours- is awesome. The dishes are authentic in taste and very well priced. Apart from the thali, you can try the Rava Fried Prawns, Crab Xacuti -with delicious gravy with some phulkas and a Red Snapper Thali served with a mackerel gravy, crab curry, potato bhaji, tisreo (shellfish), a huge heap of rice and some sol kadi. The pricing is quite reasonable and the food is very tasty.

The Goan Room

Next on the list of best Goan seafood restaurants in North Goa is Goan Room. This is a nice restaurant in the heart of Dona Paula. It is very close to the Dona Paula beach and Dona Paula jetty. This is a feel-good restaurant with Mario Miranda type wall coverings. The Restaurant is quite spacious with ample tables and has seating on the ground floor as well as an airconditioned section on the mezzanine floor. It is noted for serving mouthwatering Goan cuisine. Their fish thalis are the most popular dishes among diners during lunch hours. They serve the famous Patrao Thali--which is quite substantial and tasty, having a mix of seafood like kingfish, prawn curry and cutlet, fish curry, crab curry etc. They also have a wellstocked bar which offers a variety of cocktails, mocktails, liquor and gins. Their service is quick and their staff is friendly. Overall a good place to have a Goan meal when in Dona Paula.

Anand Seafood Restaurant

Anand Seafood Restaurant is one of the best places in Anjuna you can go to if you are on a quest for authentic Goan cuisine! Situated in the countryside near Anjuna beach, this quaint little place is filled with tourists and locals all the time. The place has a very simple ambience. They have a beautiful open-air seating area as well as an airconditioned section indoors. Their food tastes good and the portions served are decent in size. Their prices are also quite reasonable.

One can go for their seafood thali with Chonak masala Rawa fry as an appetiser or the normal veg thali. The seafood thali consists of white rice, cabbage fry, clams masala, kingfish Tawa fry and Goan prawn curry. Their kingfish Tawa fry is very succulent and ravishing. The prawn curry is hauntingly delicious and will have your taste buds craving for more! The chonak masala Rawa fry is equally appetising. Vegetarians can try their veg thali consisting of cabbage fry, dal rice and papad. The place is a must-visit when in Anjuna.

Goan Nook Family Restaurant & Bar

This restaurant is a hidden treasure, located just off the river near Nerul - Reis Magos road in Verem. The place has a nice air-conditioned seating area inside as well as the open-air seating area outside. The ambience is relaxed with low music, simple interiors with bird nests all over the place along with pool tables for guests to pass their time.

The bar is well stocked and the food here is simply too good. Their Goan sausages, chilli fried with capsicums and beautifully stuffed in warm Goan bread, is very tasty and is a good choice for a starter. You can also try chicken xacuti and steamed rice - be warned that you'll be left with your mouth on fire with this spicy curry but it's worth it and best eaten with rice. You can also try the cafreal chicken and the beef or pork chilli fry, which is extremely delicious. Their Rawa fried prawns and chonak (barramundi) are very fresh, crisp and delicious with a dash of lemon juice. The well-stocked bar serves a nice variety of cocktails, mocktails as well as gin, Indian and foreign liquors. One must try their mojito cocktails and pina colada. If you're looking to try something local, go for their cashew feni or urrak.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa

Every meal over here is freshly prepared.

A short menu of main course items provides a wonderful taste of Goa's green culinary heritage.

these amazing restaurants and treat yourself and your family to a feast of mouthwatering Goan delicacies. Bon Appetit!

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Photograph: Maggie Hung

PEOPLE

Chef Patrick Albert

Besides the gastronomical gusto he brings to the table, Chef Patrick exudes an impeccable executive éclat that so evidently epitomises the calibre he contains.

Finesse and Fascination: KCCA’s Chef

Patrick Albert on his Passion, Vision, and the Goan Mission

As 2021 swiftly unfolded, culinary B-school Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts (KCCA) jostled its way to the global culinary playground by becoming the first in India to welcome a French Master Chef to its faculty team. It’s 2022 now, and Chef Patrick Albert, the gourmet exemplar has already etched an indelible impression on the aspiring culinary leaders at KCCA.

Besides the gastronomical gusto he brings to the table, Chef Patrick exudes an impeccable executive éclat that so evidently epitomises the calibre he contains. From being a starry-eyed seventeen year old who left school to pursue his passion, to attaining the highly coveted title of Maître Cuisinier de France; he has indeed come a long way. “It’s been a journey of sorts” chef Patrick reflects, “A stint at a classical French restaurant, eight years in Ireland, and three and a half private cook years later, I stayed afloat for twenty-five years in the cruise line industry.” An occupational voyage that was meant to last for a year ended up in a quarter century of vim and vigour.

His background in the fast-paced, high-volume cruiseline circumstance equipped him with all the right skill sets to instil and inspire, construct and conspire, heralding a sea of opportunities for his protégés. Spending ten years as the on-site executive chef at ‘Remy’; an acclaimed restaurant on the ‘Disney Dream’ and ‘Disney Fantasy’ cruises, the seasoned cuisinier coordinated with Michelinstarred chef Arnaud Lallement and 5 Diamonds chef Scott Hunnel.

French culinary arts, both literally and figuratively rule the world. As a recipient of the illustrious title of Maître Cuisinier de France, Chef Patrick Albert holds the honour of being a part of the most exalted class of chefs entrusted with the task of fostering the french culinary arts and aiding professional development.

“Mastering the French cuisine will serve as a foundation for further avenues in the global hospitality realm. Once these techniques, temperaments, courses, and etiquettes are internalised, one’s creative compass can be cleverly redefined,” he shares.

When asked about the skills and traits he wishes to instil in his students, there are four keywords that vehemently ech0: open-mindedness, balance, liberty, and discipline. Being a culinary leader undoubtedly calls for an accepting and appreciative attitude towards myriads of culturally colored cuisines, palettes, and tastes. While balance enables one to stay afloat, it is liberty and discipline that propels professional and personal growth. He adds, “Where discipline offers the framework, liberty catapults creativity, and that is what makes an enterprising culinary leader.

What he desires to instil is a prowess beyond the kitchen- managerial grit, executive ability, and championing communicability. Leveraging the ideals of leadership is the thread that binds the objective of the three structured courses he instructs at KCCA: The BVoc- Culinary Management Programme, Commis Chef- Bakery and Pastry Programme, and Commis Chef- Cruise Culinary Programme.

Curated to meet the intricacies of cruise line demands, the Commis Chef – Cruise Culinary Programme that Chef Patrick instructs, equips students with the necessary experience and expertise to thrive in ever-dynamic industry. For someone who spent 25 years in the cruise line industry, one would expect him to have a hard time adjusting to the role of an educator. However, it doesn’t appear that way for Chef Patrick Albert.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I

always been a part and parcel of my role as a chef. From training kitchen staff in professional kitchens, I’m now coaching young, aspiring professionals towards realising their powerful potential.” While his induction into the faculty did not bring a paradigm shift professionally, it was his personal life that underwent a rather refreshing “revolution”.

“It’s as if I’m reintroduced to the concept of normal life”, Chef Patrick chuckles, stating that life on land isn’t the same as that at sea. “Ship life was easy in the sense that it was ‘readymade.’ Everything; right from the room to the meals was taken care of. Now it appears that I’m once again in charge of my life, even if that means doing my bed every morning,” he light-heartedly conveys.

Besides being in awe of the trippy tropical weather, he expresses his delight at trying some of the mouth-watering delicacies readily available throughout the state. “The exciting flavours each dish had to offer had me beguiled. Moreover, there’s so many different types of fish that I had never before heard of,” he gasps with gaiety.

Staying in Goa without indulging in the touristy rituals sounds almost bizarre, or even unmentionably foul. While Chef Patrick has done his fair share of exploring, he confesses to not having begun his sightseeing spree in Goa. But one can’t take that to heart if he wants to savour his experience in the state with his loved ones. “There’s no fun in doing it alone,” he chuffs, “I’d love to explore everything that the place has to offer once my wife is here. That’s my next mission.”

Website: www.itsgoa.com

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Union Motors Tyre Studio, Colvale - Your One Stop Solution For All your Tyre Needs

There used to be a time when you could hardly see any cars on Goan roads. Motorcycles and scooters were the most common vehicles seen on the streets of Goa during the 1980’s and the early 90’. However, due to a rise in salaries, as well as income coming in the form of remittances from family members living in the Gulf and other foreign countries has resulted in an increasing number of people in Goa switching to cars.Thousands of cars of different makes and models are seen on the roads of Goa every day. Many people use their cars to commute daily, to and from their workplace. Many road enthusiasts also go on inter-state trips and off-road adventures in their 4x4 jeeps and SUVs. Also, Goa’s rising popularity as a tourist destination has resulted in an increase in the number of tourist vehicles plying on the Goan roads to cater to the mobility needs of tourists.

Due to such heavy usage, many people have started looking for a one-stop solution to get their vehicles serviced periodically, at one place and under one roof, in order to keep them in good condition. Seeing this, Mr. Yash Naik, a young 20-year-old engineering student from Mapusa, decided to find a solution to this problem. He had a strong desire to provide top quality car servicing facilities to people, in one place, under one roof, and at the most affordable rates.

Yash's desire was the seed that was sown, which gave birth to Union Motors Tyre Studio at Colvale. Located inside the Colvale Industrial Estate at Colvale in North Goa, this tyre studio is a relatively new enterprise that aims to provide the best services for your 4 - wheeler. The studio is a franchise dealer of Bridgestone, Firestone, and Goodyear tyres and stocks all types of tyres for all types of light motor vehicles. The studio commenced operations in June 2020, just when the economy was reopening after the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yash handles the major day to day affairs at Union Motors Tyre Studio. This young student entrepreneur, who is truly an inspiration to all our youth here in Goa, is currently pursuing his third year B.E in Mechanical Engineering at AITD, Assagao. He balances his time between managing the workshop and studying simultaneously.

Due to the pandemic, his college lectures are offered in online mode. This has made it easier for him to manage the workshop, as well as ensure that his academics don't get affected, he says. Balancing online college lectures while handling things at the workshop during the day, he reserves his evenings for studying and completing his college assignments.

He hails from a family in Mapusa, which had been in the business of automobiles and machines for decades. In the 1960s, their business was flourishing. They used to own several lathe machines, buses, mining trucks, tippers, goods carriers etc. However, due to some personal issues, they had to close down their flourishing business.

After their business closed down, they wanted to venture into some other kind of business. It was Yash's grandfather Krishna (Gopi) Naik’s dream to start a business that could provide after-sales services for all types of four-wheelers, under one roof. Unfortunately, he passed away without being able to realise his dream. Yash, with the support of his grandmother Shaila Naik, his father Chandan Naik, and his uncle Sagar Naik, took on the responsibility to fulfil his grandfather’s dream and has successfully converted it into a reality. Although the enterprise is a partnership between Yash, his grandmother, his father and his uncle, Yash is the main brainchild behind the venture.

Currently, they have just started the first phase of the business, providing a few services, such as wheel alignment, wheel balancing, tyre changing, nitrogen gas filling, and ceramic coating of cars. They plan to start full-fledged operations on a much bigger scale in 2023, with a multi-brand and multi-car workshop. Once they expand their operations, they will be providing all types of services such as washing, denting, painting, accidental repair, electrical work, oil changing, interior refurbishment, vehicle restoration etc.

When asked whether he faced any challenges while starting this venture, Yash replied that the only major challenge his business faced was brand awareness. Since they were a fairly new service provider, it did take some time for them to gain recognition and catch the attention of the public.

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Another major challenge that they faced was making people understand the importance of proper wheel alignment, wheel balancing, and regular servicing of their vehicles.

The initial response to the business was quite good. The economy was just opening up when the tyre studio commenced operations. Many people started visiting the centre to get their car tyres and wheels checked and serviced. Ever since they started off, they have come a long way and have grown a lot in terms of brand awareness, their reputation as a service provider, their client base, customer popularity, and experience. They have managed to connect very well with their customers and have earned their loyalty and trust.

Yash says that the satisfaction of their customers is their topmost priority. They strive to ensure that the customer gets exactly what he wants. They suggest the best tyres for the customer's vehicle and also provide the best advice to the customer on how he should maintain his car to keep it in good condition. This is the USP of their firm.

“For example, if a client uses his car as a taxi and has a daily running of more than 100 kilometres per day (heavy usage), then we recommend a Bridgestone tyre to the client. This is because Bridgestone is a reliable brand and is made for heavy-duty usage”, says Yash.

However, if a client's daily usage of his car is occasional, they advise the client to go for a slightly lower category of tyres. They suggest the most suitable tyres for their clients' cars, depending on their clients' needs.

Yash says that they have a lot of new services, which they plan to introduce at their service centre in the near future. They intend to provide car servicing to their customers at their doorsteps. They also plan to offer various time-bound service packages, such as 15-minute express service, 1-hour service and also a pick up and drop service, where they will pick up the vehicle from the customer’s location, do the required servicing, and return it to the customer within the promised time frame.

They also intend to incorporate all the latest technologies and software to boost the quality of their services, and also to make it easier for customers to book their services via a website and a mobile app.

They also plan to enter into contracts with various transport companies, government bodies and private firms for annual maintenance and servicing of their fleet of vehicles. Also, once they expand their scale of operations in 2023, they will be offering a lot of employment opportunities at their service centre. This will be very beneficial for our skilled Goan youth, who sometimes struggle to find jobs due to a considerable shortage of employment opportunities in Goa.

So, if you are ever passing by Colvale and you feel the need to get your car's tyres checked or your car serviced, Union Motors, Colvale is the place to go to.

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