Priya Mendes was born and brought up in the beautiful state of Goa in India. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications from the Goa University and has worked in this field for a while. Priya has always had a passion for cooking and trying out new recipes and sharing her delicious meals with her family and friends. Since food is what gives her immense pleasure and satisfaction, she decided to pursue this passion into a career. She is the now the owner of the Goan Delights Restaurant in Leicester. It is the place to visit for an authentic taste of Goa.
Priya enjoys music, travelling and meeting new people and learning their different traditions and cultures. She believes that food is the way to bring people together and considers Leicester to be the perfect place for this, as it is so multicultural with people from different parts of the world. And this is what gives her the enthusiasm and happiness to keep the traditional Goan food and culture alive in the United Kingdom.
Priya lives in Leicester with her husband who supports her dream and her two handsome little boys. Her sisters have also been a great help and support to her in keeping up with the food quality and standards in her restaurant. It is with the support of her family, that she has accomplished and fulfilled her dream.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Leicester is home to me. It is the people and cultural diversity that binds us together.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
I take pride in every good thing that I do. But opening the Goan Delights Restaurant is my proudest achievement. And I am constantly giving it my best to make it reach new heights.
3) What inspires you?
Hardworking and honest people are an inspiration to me. I like to take inspiration from them and use it as a tool to improve myself and focus on my business. And to be a better and stronger person.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
I don’t believe in obstacles, I believe in working hard and overcoming the obstacles. I believe one should not give obstacles and negativity a chance to enter into your mind and work. Just focus on the good work and all that is good around.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My parents have always been my strength. They have stood by me through thick and thin. After God, it has been my parent’s blessings and both my sister’s motivation that has encouraged me to follow and fulfil my dream.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Keeping the essence of healthy living in people through Goan Delights, by encouraging people to have nutritious and heathy meals and enjoy life to the fullest in the healthiest possible way. Keeping the Goan spice, values and traditions alive in my food. It has not always been an easy task, but I am working very hard to ensure that Goan Delights, through its tasty and nutritious food, makes a place in every ones heart.
7) And the worst?
None. I try to make the best out of the worst.
8) What are your long term goals?
Achieving success in whatever I do. Taking Goan Delights globally and reaching out to more and more people and showing them the healthy art of living. There is no fun in life, if one is not happy in what they do, and cooking good food give me happiness. I want to encourage people of all ages to live healthier lives and understand the importance of nutrition and the benefits of traditional spices in food.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would bring improvement in the NHS, education and support small businesses. Small businesses need government’s attention and help to grow and achieve success.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Vasco Da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who was the first European to reach India by sea which opened a way for the Portuguese and others to establish a long lasting colonial empire in Asia. I would like to ask him how he discovered the sea route to my birthplace, Goa.
