This strapping young man was a tiny baby just yesterday. Yeshi had only been in the UK three months before he was born. He’d arrived on a fiancé visa and wasn’t yet allowed to work, so the baby had his full attention.
Quite soon, this kid became the biggest, fattest baby on the block. Yeshi fed me well, as you can imagine, to ensure that the baby thrived by proxy, but soon enough he got direct to source. By the time he was four months the kid was watching mealtimes so intently and drooling so profusely that we let him dig into Yeshi’s delicious dishes first-hand.
When I went back to work a few weeks later, Yeshi became our son’s full-time caregiver. He loved being a stay-at-home dad but after a while I noticed that I’d come back from the office and he’d greet me in the same way every time: “Julie, I want to do something.”
Soon enough Taste Tibet was born, and sometimes I remind him of these words and we snigger because there’s no doubt he’s doing something now.
Today we have loads more kids, only they’re not all family. Our son has a legit younger sister, but our other dependents are the many staff – old and young – who work alongside us at the restaurant and food stall. They’re the kids that we have to keep looking after, some of them right through until their retirement.
Employing people isn’t easy. Our children have been privy to many of our gripes and grievances over the years, so when we brought our son in over half term to cover a staff sickness situation, he didn’t strap the apron on without trepidation.
He’s worked a few shifts out the front with mum and dad now, a defining moment for everyone. And you can expect to see more of all of us behind the counter from here on in. The restaurant has been quiet since the new year and, as Yeshi might say, we want to do something. Spring is in the air and we’re planning some changes to the format, so watch this space – we’re excited.
By the way, the baby’s name is Leo, and it’s a marvel to watch this once diffident young kid flower into the staff member most likely to talk you into a chocolate tsampa truffle before you’re on your way. Born and raised in the restaurant, he’s a natural. Come and say hi.
We’re open all the usual hours this week, as follows:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Saturday: 12-3/ 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3 / 5-9pm
This week’s menu is up on the website – check it. Come for dine in, take away and a restock of your freezer. Chilli oil is running a bit low – come quick!
Newsletter subscribers always enjoy deals and offers on food at our restaurant. This week we’re running a sale on jars of our hot mooli pickle. If you’re a fan of this fiery, fermented jar of joy, click here so sign up.
Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm
Saturday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9pm
☏ 01865 499318
Do you love the Taste Tibet cookbook? Please take a minute to leave us a review 🙏🏾
