Shubham Salgaonkar said seeing his food make people happy, makes him happy
Shubham Salgaonkar, owner of Bhookie Indian street food van in Liverpool ONE
A Liverpool graduate said seeing how the city has accepted his new business idea is what keeps him going. Shubham Salgaonkar, from Bombay, India, is the brains behind Liverpool ONE’s newest food truck, Bhookie.
The 24-year-old, who lives in the city centre after coming here to study, brought his concept to life on Thomas Steers Way just over a month ago. Since then, Shubham, as a one-man team, hasn’t had the luxury of a day off, but despite this, the former University of Liverpool student said the reaction from the people of Liverpool keeps him motivated.
The international business graduate told the ECHO: “It can be exhausting running a business yourself. I’m open from noon to 10 o’clock at night, but I do it all by myself, so there’s a lot more that goes on in the background with food shopping and preparation.
“I haven’t had a break or a day off in weeks but when you see someone enjoy your food, it keeps you motivated. It is what keeps me coming back. I came all the way from India to open Bhookie and so it’s so good when you see people come back again and again, it makes me feel happy. The one thing I can guarantee is that you will like it.”
Shubham Salgaonkar with his signature Vada Pav dish
Shubham has been cooking since he was in second grade, claiming it has always been a love of his. On the Liverpool menu, you will find typical street food dishes that you grab and go.
This includes Gulab Jamun, signature fries, and chicken bites and wings. Shubham explained that while they may appear to be typically British-esque dishes, it is the sauces used that bring the flavour of his home country to here in the heart of the city.
Bhookie’s main inspiration comes from the vibrant lanes of Mumbai, mixed with the global streets of London, Bangkok, and New York – worldwide locations renowned for “where cultures collide and food tells stories”.
Shubham explained how the one dish that has kept customers, particularly those in the Indian community, coming back for more is his take on Vada Pav. The £5.49 dish consists of a deep-fried potato dumpling placed inside a bread bun sliced almost in half through the middle.
One of the meals, cheesy chips and chicken topped with Indian sauce, from Bhookie in Liverpool ONE
He said: “It’s more than food, it is an emotion. In India, Vada Pav is the cheapest food you can buy and it fills you for so long. People who eat it run on it all day, but for other people, they only have enough to have Vada Pav everyday, so for them Vada Pav is survival.
“Fusion isn’t a trend for us; it’s a tradition. Cooking is something I’ve always loved. When I came here I noticed a gap – Indian food here isn’t actually authentic.
“It is catered for the British taste, whereas I wanted to fill the gap with the food that I make everyday. It’s the main reason I started the company.
“Once people have a try of our menu, they come back for more. People being happy with my food, makes me happy – especially with it being the traditional food of my home country. Keeping the tradition alive is the most important thing to me.”