Five Minutes with Baljit, Kiran & Manpreet, Rashays

Who are Baljit Khare, Kiran Khare and Manpreet Singh?

Baljit – I am an accountant by profession and I have a few Rashays clients in my portfolio. I invested in Rashays because I love the food. We decided to bring Rashays to Wagga to serve the people nice food.
Kiran – I’m a mother of two beautiful boys and Baljit’s wife. I love cooking and my background was in teaching. Whenever I used to take food to work, everyone loved it and asked me to start my own restaurant. So that’s what attracted me towards the food industry.
Manpreet – I’m married with two kids – I’ve got a son and a daughter. My background is in construction, and I love cooking, it is my passion. When I’m at home, I prefer cooking by myself. We bought Rashays because we love the food. We also had a few Rashays in our area (back in Sydney). I talked to my partner Baljit, and we thought about it and spoke to the management. That’s how we got into it.

Best recent dining experience:

Baljit – Indian Tavern Tandoori. I love Indian food. Their dhal (lentil curry) was very nice.
Kiran – Honestly, I have not been anywhere recently.
Manpreet – Baljit and I went to the same restaurant. The food was pretty good, especially the non-vegetarian dishes.

Favourite cuisine:

Baljit – I love Mexican food, but I’m vegetarian with very limited choices.
Kiran – Apart from Rashays, I like my Indian curries.
Manpreet – It has to be the curries. I can’t survive without the curries. I love my chicken schnitzels and pizzas as well.

What ingredient can I not live without?

Baljit – Sugar. I love chocolate.
Kiran – Chocolate.
Manpreet – Salt, pepper and chillies.

Best coffee spot in Wagga:

Baljit – The Coffee Club. Their coffee was nice.
Kiran – The Coffee Club.
Manpreet – The Coffee Club and Vanilla Pod.

What’s your coffee blend? It’s Rashay’s own blend.

Next big thing in the Wagga food scene:

Baljit – Rashays. It will be the biggest family restaurant in Wagga.
Kiran – Our aim is to serve the people of Wagga with the best food and provide a great family environment.
Manpreet – Rashays.

A must-try on our menu:

Baljit – We have a versatile menu. For vegetarians, the veg sandwich is good. For non-vegetarians, the must-try are steak and chicken items.
Kiran – All the vegetarian dishes – sandwiches and pizzas. And our desserts, date pudding and brownies.
Manpreet – Chicken schnitzels, pizzas and steak.

My biggest culinary influence:

Baljit – My wife. I didn’t cook until the age of 40. After we moved to Australia, I started cooking with her. Cooking is now a great passion.
Kiran – My husband’s passion for food. I didn’t cook before marriage. I started cooking for him after I got married to this handsome man in my life.
Manpreet – My mum. I used to always watch her cook and ask her questions. I started cooking when I was 13 years old.

Favourite cookbook:

Baljit – Jamie Oliver’s books.
Kiran – I never followed anyone.
Manpreet – I don’t use cookbooks. I usually watch YouTube videos.

Who I admire in the Wagga food and wine scene:
Manpreet – We haven’t had the chance to meet anyone yet. Most of the time, we’re at the restaurant and haven’t had the time to go around to new places.

What are this week’s specials at Rashays? We’ve got everyday deals. We can assure the people of Wagga they will never get bored with our menu. We also do $2 coffees.

Death row meal:

Baljit – Rashays’ veg sandwich.
Kiran – Sourdough with smashed avocado.
Manpreet – Maybe the kangaroo dish.

My least favourite food:

Baljit – I don’t like seafood.
Kiran – Seafood.
Manpreet – I don’t like eggplants. Sometimes my wife would cook them and I would have to get takeaway.

My top three cooking tips:

Baljit – Taste! Taste! Taste!
Kiran – Follow the flavour, have good presentation and hygiene.
Manpreet – It has to be hygienic. Preparing the food and presentation is a must.