06/13/2026
This story is one of the most personal stories I've shared online. ā¤ļø Before there was a Culinary Storyteller, there was the "Marhaba Girl."
Growing up in my dad's grocery store, I witnessed the beauty of the community, the friendships, the laughter, the melas, the picnics, and the feeling of belonging that so many Bengalis found through Marhaba.
But I also witnessed the sacrifices, the long hours, the financial stress, and the hard work that came with building something bigger than yourself. Looking back now, I realize my dad wasn't just running a grocery store. He was helping build a community.
And while I could never fill his shoes, I hope to carry that same spirit forward here in Calgary through my cooking experiences, storytelling, and the tables I host.
The difference is that I am learning something my younger self didn't fully understand: caring for a community also means caring for yourself. Because the more honest, healthy, and grounded I am, the better I can show up for the people around me.
To everyone in Calgary who has welcomed me, supported my dreams, and trusted me with your stories, thank you.
And to my fellow Torontonians who still remember my dad, share stories about Marhaba, and keep him in your prayers, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Your love reminds me that a person's legacy is never measured by a building or a business, but by the lives they touched.
Thank you for helping keep his memory alive. ā¤ļø
