We meet some interesting people on our tours. Here’s a story of our friend in Little India. Bala has had an interesting life. 6 years ago he was flying around the world. He’d lunch with CEO’s and partying with the high flyers of the marketing world. During his time as a top marketing executive at The Economist, Bala had it all and would not stop for anything. In some ways not much has changed. Bala still has little sleep. Now not through the partying. He also still lunches with CEO’s although not at Michelin star restaurants as we see on our tours.
Bala now runs a humble Dosa stall in the heart of Little India that we visit on our tours. Everyday he is up at 4 and on his bike to open the stall and prepare for the day ahead. He has no need for a fitted suit any more. Opting instead for what is fast becoming his trademark outfit of white t shirt and shorts. Wiping down the tables Bala chats to his customers who are often amazed by his story. How has a corporate high flyer ended up serving $2 appams in the corner of a Little India coffee shop?
In 1947 Bala’s grandfather opened up a dosa stall in Pune. (Big India, not Little India). Decades later, Bala went to India and visited his Uncle in Pune who was now running the stall. Bala trained in one of the families 4 restaurants and the rest is history. On returning to Little India Singapore he quit his job and started following his passion. For a few years he was (and still is) a private chef, making a living cooking for friends, relatives and new customers. Then the opportunity to take over the running of a food stall came up and Bala jumped at the chance. Still keeping his eye on the communication and marketing aspect of the business. Bala is becoming a social media sensation. He always posts his “Dosa Tales”. The tales are stories about his customers and experiences in the dosa stall. They include our food tours.
They are an interesting bunch that come and try his food. From CEOs to shady bookmakers, and of course Singabiters from all over the world. The main thing is, it doesn’t matter who you are at Bala’s. There’s always a place and a friendly greeting for you in this corner of Little India.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Bala’s whole story though is his mission to make life better for others. Bala’s supports 4 different local charities. As a result every time we have food at Bala’s on our tours, we are also supporting these charities. In the one month since we’ve been doing this Bala and his workers have hosted guests from across the globe. France, Spain, Australia, Uk and Singapore guests have all helped to spread the Dosa Tales around the world.
If you’d like to meet Bala and try his food book the best food tour in Singapore at www.singabites.com
