Catering services in the Mizoram state capital is good business as Mizos prefer it to eating out.
The oldest one Chhangte Catering in Bungkawn locality began business in 2006 employing around ten persons who are paid Rs 700 a day, while part-time workers, mainly college students, receive Rs 300 daily.
The proprietor, Pari says she began her business by going to customers’ residences and cooked on the spot, but now has her own kitchen and does home delivery.
Pari says she charges Rs 220 per person, which includes a plate of rice, two plates of two different kind of meat, a plate of 'bai' or vegetables prepared in the Mizo way and a plate of chutni.
"We usually provide typical Mizo food and prepare it in accordance with the party's wishes if there are non-tribal people among the customers," Pari, whose main customers are government offices and friends, says.
Her catering spent Rs one lakh on purchase of chicken alone during January 6 to 11 this year and received 36 orders since January one till January 16 serving food to 6,616 people.
"We receive the maximum orders during autumn and winter, while Christmas and New Year festivals are the best time of the year for business," she says.
RC Express Catering at Upper Khatla locality began its catering service in 2012 and proprietor Ramchhana, who learnt his cooking skills from SBIHM in Kolkata says that he can provide Korean, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mizo dishes.