Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala

Owners, Café Spice Namasté

The lingering uncertainty that led to lockdown could not have come at a worse time for Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala, below left and right, owners of Café Spice Namasté in Whitechapel. They had the restaurant’s 25th anniversary to look forward to, Cyrus’ new cookbook had just been published and they were also scheduled to host several charity dinners in the spring.

“Being forced to shut hit us hard, but we decided to use the time to focus on what really matters, which is our staff – whom we still talk to every day – and our community,” says Pervin. Despite his fame as a chef, it’s his reputation as a local community champion that Cyrus truly cherishes, with education and sustainability being the causes closest to his heart.

Their relationship with St Paul’s Whitechapel CE Primary School has continued during the coronavirus crisis. They helped the school win a grant for teaching resources from the Antonio Carluccio Foundation, and are working with headteacher Darren Rubin on several projects.

“Like many schools, St Paul’s has leaders with vision but limited budgets,” says Cyrus.

“The projects we are working on will teach children where food comes from, the importance of healthy eating, how to grow and cook good food, and how not to waste it.”

The restaurant is set to reopen fully in mid-July and they are exploring the use of technology to rebuild customer confidence.

The takeaway and delivery options are also keeping the team very busy.

As business and life returns to the new normal, ultimately, what the Todiwalas want to do is help enrich kids’ knowledge and experience of proper food so that they enjoy it throughout life.

“Schools are the breeding ground of the future,” Pervin adds. “We must never stop doing what we can to help.”