In Store now! Zaman Condiments and Sauces
We are delighted to have in store some brand new, delicious, locally made creations from Fatima at Zaman Condiments and Sauces! We have a range of tasty flavours to suit everyone’s spice level including, Craft Lemon Madras, Craft Almond Tika Masala, Craft Original Curry, Craft Coconut Korma. All of which have been tasted by the OB team to rave reviews! Available in store now
Here is the story behind the sauces and their creator….
’Zaman Condiments and Sauces is literally a start-up that is ´starting up!´
However, the recipes for my sauces were first established in my father´s Indian Restaurants in West London. The quality of the carefully sourced fresh ingredients used in the dishes and the quick service that was provided at the restaurants, was second to none - and they have laid the foundations for my own food start-up: premium Indian Restaurant quality meals in minutes!
When the restaurants were sold, I really missed Indian Restaurant food, namely my father´s exquisite dishes. As a busy professional, I was looking for a quick, tasty solution to suffice my “craving”. I tried various gourmet supermarket bottled Indian sauces, but found that neither the taste, texture nor the quality of their ingredients matched that of my father´s restaurant food.
What to do, I thought, and I began to imagine the prospect of preparing my father´s restaurant food with a bottled sauce – foodie heaven in my kitchen cupboard.
So, I decided to embark on a side project to handcraft Indian Restaurant Quality sauces in small batches: Craft Lemon Madras, Craft Almond Tika Masala, Craft Original Curry, Craft Coconut Korma, and Craft Mint Tandoori marinade. Using fresh organic produce, a secret blend of spices and a star ingredient, organic olive oil - Zaman Condiments and Sauces was born. ALL the sauces are gluten & dairy-free with no added sugar and are suitable for vegetarians.
I started to give away samples to friends, hosted gastro pop-ups and supper clubs - after which people expressed an interest to buy the sauces. The side project progressively established itself and now offers a quick, healthy solution for Indian Restaurant Food aficionados, health-conscious people with busy lifestyles, who do not wish to compromise on quality.
In terms of foundations, I spent much time in our restaurants as a child, playing there after school with my friends and I observed the special ritual of how my father blended our restaurants´ spices – "top secret", he used to say! You see, it´s not only the ingredients that have made my Craft Lemon Madras qualify as a finalist in the GBFA 2021, but the manner in which the spices are ground and blended, which is a spiritual ritual – so to speak.
The food was highly acclaimed and became firm favourites for famous rock stars, musicians, journalists, politicians and celebrities.
In terms of a food start-up for ´good´, my food start-up has been built on extremely firm foundations, not only does it offer Indian Craft Sauces for a refined palate, but it also advocates for leading a healthy lifestyle, factoring in the mental health aspect; racial equality, diversity and inclusivity; and child empowerment through education and charity initiatives. I collaborate with Save The Children on a monthly basis and the MP Foundation on an ad hoc basis, to help poverty-stricken families in rural Bangladesh. In April 2022, I was invited to the Equality & Diversity UK talks, as a facilitator and took part in the Human Library - sharing my lived experience of both overt and subtle racism, in addition to implicit bias.
The backdrop of Zaman Condiments and Sauces is the reminder of our shared history and the embodiment of the evolving British gastronomic landscape – overflowing with creativity and cultural tolerance.’
