Humble slave to the Goddess of FOOD!

I did my first ever Annalakshmi Voluntary duty yesterday!!!

Yup...some might say "What? Since when ??"

I know, I know, so unlike me...but hei, think it is time to give back to society. What goes around comes around, doesn't it? OKAY! might have an ulterior motive, but let me tell you this much. After one day of service, don't think i will achieve my motive, in fact i will be coming home smelling like curry and sambar...

Anyway, for those of you who don't really know about annalakshmi, read on...
See it's got this concept - Eat as you like, pay as you feel! good huh? So you can imagine the number of people who visits that place?? Gee! I was wrong when I thought we didn't make money. The concept behind this unique organisation is to allow the volunteers to serve charitable organisation, with love through the culinary and visual arts. The food served in Annalakshmi is not prepared by hired chefs with secret French recipes hidden up their sleeves. Instead it is prepared with the care and love by homemakers - mothers, grandparents, sisters and brothers (mostly from India ;) ).

This filial connection is what makes the concept of Annalakshmi, an unique one. So there you go, your eat as you like and pay as you feel concept.

What does Annalakshmi mean?

Annalakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Food and the adage "athithi devo bhava" meaning "the Guest is God" is the motivating factor. This factor is a tribute to the Goddess of Plenty, Annalakshmi. These ideals, the warmth and the service very soon capture the imagination of diners. Annalakshmi provides food for the soul by providing a good meal to those who walk in. ( I got this off the net...)

It is largely run through the work of voluntary staff that includes mothers and grandmothers all of whom know what it takes to prepare a wholesome meal with homely love. (But when i went there to dine 2 weeks back, I saw all the mamis and mamas serving, and that was my calling. To help them. Hoping that I will bump into my rich dato and marry him - yup, the mice is out. That's my motive. But trust me when i say, I don't think that is happening.) Their clientele, Indian tourist!!! okay, maybe I might not meet my Dato but a Maharaja. (High Hopes!!)

Through your generosity you not only give us the honor and privilege to serve you with the culinary and performing arts but also allow us to help the underprivileged in India via The Temple of Service, providing free food and medical services. So come my dear friends, to the Annalakshmi. (God! I sound like a saint)

Eat and bloody well pay RM10 and above yeah! Don't be a Malaysian. Remember, taking orders, clearing plates, replenishing curries, doing all this wearing a saree, trying to look Indian and hoping that I don't swear at those people who has no patience whatsoever and those who come to you and say things like "how can you call this vegetarian when you have garlic and onion"- give me a break!!. So please....