Indian-Origin chef in Australia gains massive support after viral video of empty stall
Indian-Origin chef in Australia gains massive support after viral video of empty stall
In Sydney, Australia, a 67-year-old Indian-origin chef named Padam Vyas has garnered widespread support and sympathy after a viral video showed him at his pop-up stall with no customers.
The footage, which quickly spread across social media, captured Chef Vyas displaying an array of Indian food items at his stall, only to pack up and leave as it started to rain.
Reflecting on the incident, Chef Vyas clarified that the day wasn’t as desolate as it appeared in the video.
“A few people came. It was a nasty day. It was raining… People who are trolling, they don’t know. They don’t know the atmosphere and the system in Australia,” he explained. He emphasized that outdoor catering in Australia requires specific licenses, which can affect business operations if not properly managed.
Despite the challenging weather, Chef Vyas offered a selection of popular Indian dishes such as samosas, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, seekh kababs, and rogan josh.
The viral video struck a chord with many viewers, leading to an outpouring of support for the chef.
Our beloved Head Chef @himalayansaltsydney made food for the people of Sydney but no one came,” Sydney-based restaurant chain. The Colonial Restaurants wrote on Instagram, along with a video of Chef Padam Vyas at the stall.
The same video, which a Sydney-based marketing agency posted, has garnered a whopping 47.1 million views (and counting
While most of the 18,000-plus comments under the video are positive, showing support for the chef, a handful of users criticized Indian street food and questioned its hygiene.
“His food was probably the best one at the whole market,” another user wrote.
“Stop, I’ll eat every food in his stall,” another person commented
Chef Vyas, who relocated to Australia in 1988, has an impressive background, having worked in some of Delhi’s top hotels. Currently, he runs a catering company in Sydney and is also associated with The Colonial Restaurants.
The incident not only highlights the difficulties faced by small business owners, especially those in the food industry but also underscores the power of social media in generating awareness and support. Chef Vyas’s story is a testament to resilience and the importance of community backing in overcoming adversities.
