ICE catches up with self-professed home chef turned chocolate-artisan Tabassum Mehzabeen Mobarak about her latest offering to the dessert lovers of Dhaka.
CAN YOU BRIEFLY TELL US ABOUT YOUR ONGOING VENTURES INTO THE WORLD OF COOKING?
My culinary journey started with Cookups in 2016. Since then, I started catering with my various signature dishes in Thai, Indian and Bengali cuisine. The response I received was overwhelming for my signature dishes like Seafood Madness, Krang Krong Thai dessert, Spicy Crab, Singaporean Hainanese Chicken Rice and Fish Majboos, etc.
The passion for mastering different cuisines made me pursue extensive training in Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Udaipur, India. After receiving inspiring feedback from my diners for my authentic Thai dishes, I have also received the request to teach them Thai cuisine. From then onwards, the journey of my venture ‘Cookly Dhaka- we create happy home chef’ began. I have started teaching the art of perfecting Thai cuisine. The reason I chose Thai over other cuisines is due to its refreshing burst of fresh flavours and its exotic blend of spices. Recently, I won a Thai Culinary contest arranged by FoodTalk and Thai Emerald in collaboration with the Thai Embassy.
I have been offering my signature dishes on ‘House of Flavours- happiness is homemade” which is a closed group of diners for the last two years. Apart from my own venture CooklyDhaka, I have ventured into making artisan chocolates: Roselle natural chocolate.
WHAT INTRIGUED YOU TO START MAKING CHOCOLATES?
I often receive feedback from my dinners about the desserts which they can keep for few weeks. Well, most desserts that I offer needs to be enjoyed immediately, I tried to look at the bright side and decided to make something that doesn’t become stale instantly. The idea of homemade handcrafted chocolate came into being and I am glad it has been blooming with the support of my old and new clients.
HOW WAS THE NAME OF YOUR CHOCOLATE LABEL DECIDED?
Roselle is the name of my daughter. Roselle as a girl’s name is of Latin and French origin, meaning “Rose”. No need to mention that rose as a flower is universally loved by everyone in all countries including Bangladesh. So we have decided to name our Chocolate after her name as she is a toddler and both of them will grow together with our love and hug!
DO YOU BELIEVE THE MARKET IS READY TO BUY HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES?
Yes, we strongly believe that Bangladeshi Consumers are now discerning for exquisite palate due to their extensive travel experience all across the world and exposer to a variety of artisan chocolates which they often bring home. On the other hand, the delicately moulded homemade chocolates are the best form of delicacies in celebrating happiness, expressing love and gratitude towards our loved ones.
We will be able to make the fresh chocolates just eight hours ahead before any occasion. So fresh chocolates from the house of Roselle will be the best addition to the burgeoning food scene of the City.
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE VARIETIES OF CHOCOLATES YOU ARE MAKING.
Well, our most recent favourites are:
- Paan chocolate: Paan khili dipped in dark chocolate, paan shupari dark chocolate bar and the best is paan shupari paan pasand filling with white chocolate coated, perfect as wedding gifts.
- Valentine’s Day special heart Bar chocolate
- Valentine’s Day special “You & I” pair mini chocolate
- Mini Hearts white chocolate with strawberry filling inside
- Strawberry with Rose petal and pistachio white chocolate bar
- Dark chocolate orange bar
- Dark chocolate Coffee bar
- Mini coffee beans inspired chocolate
- Candied orange coated in dark chocolate
- Milk chocolate Bar
- Dark chocolate bar
- White chocolate with candied orange
- Mix and match dark, milk, and white chocolate
- Salted almond caramel mini chocolate
- Mini dark chocolate with orange filling inside