Guyanese chef Eugenia Ram opens first Guyanese food truck in Manhattan

NEW YORK, United States. Guyanese chef Eugenia Ram says she has become the first Guyanese food truck vendor in Manhattan, flying her country's flag from the window of Aunty's Curry since opening just over two months ago.

Ram leaves her home in the Jamaica section of Queens at 4.30am after preparing fresh ingredients, and starts serving breakfast to early-shift workers by 5am. The truck operates Monday to Friday at the corner of East 45th Street and 3rd Avenue, a short distance from the Guyana Consulate.

Family recipes

Ram, who also runs the Desi Look fashion business selling Indian saris and lehenga suits, previously worked as a manager at a corporate hotel. She said the truck carries on her family's food business, and that her sister owns restaurants in New York and the Hamptons.

"I am the first Guyanese to own a food truck in Manhattan, and so far I am doing well, by the grace of God," she said.

Breakfast includes boiled and fried channa, with egg ball available on request. She also serves bake, codfish and roti with boulanger choka (aubergine stew). Desserts include pine tart, beef patty, custard pie, mithai and tamarind balls. Orders can also be placed through DoorDash and Grubhub.

Plans for a restaurant

Ram said it was important for Guyanese cooks to enter the mobile food business, which she said has been dominated by Jamaican and halal vendors.

"Our curry is rated one of the best in the world, and I am proud that I can bring it to Manhattan."

She expects to stay at the location for a long time, and said her next step is to open a restaurant in Manhattan.

"I would like to invite customers to come taste Aunty's Curry, and be the judge," she said.