Kashver helps to oversee the quality and the taste of the sweetmeats. Photos: The Star/Faihan Ghani
From a make-shift roadside stall, Famous Serendah Barfi has become a bonafide family business spanning two generations. Vaisakhi is an auspicious celebration observed by the Sikh community to commemorate the birth or establishment of Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru in 1699. According to Amrita, FSB started, as an “accidental experiment in the kitchen”, by her mother-in-law.
“Those days, since we were on the main trunk road, many travellers would stop by our stall to buy her freshly made barfi. Later on, they decided to move their business back to their home,” Amrita shared. “It just warms my heart to hear these stories. I have realised it’s not just about the barfi... the whole purpose is bringing smiles and happiness to people. Somewhere within this bigger picture, I found my purpose in continuing this legacy.”
Amrita’s spacious work area has several large cast iron kadhais or Indian woks that are placed over gas stoves. The fried jalebi is then soaked in a sugar syrup flavoured with saffron and cardamom to give it its characteristic sweet and aromatic taste.These sweets are not just delicious but they represent part of their rich cultural heritage that Amrita hopes to pass on to her children, Kashver Singh, 28, and Simran Kaur, 24.