My name is Riyaz Mir.  I was born in Kashmir in northern India and grew up, sitting by my mother's side in our kitchen, in Srinagar.  In Kashmir, men aren't supposed to cook, but my early years, watching my mother lovingly tend her steaming pots in that kitchen, taught me both the importance of sharing my culture with friends near and far, and the subtle magic of mixing spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients.  I moved to South Africa in 2004, bringing stories, recipes, and a love of cooking with me.  I started working at Masala Dosa restaurant in Long Street soon after my arrival, and many of our oldest customers have been with me from those early days.  In 2016, the opportunity arose to buy the restaurant and make it reflect my own values, traditions, and passions.  For four years it was my pleasure to welcome you to Masala Dosa and I would still be doing so if the Covid crisis hadn’t forced us to close down in July 2020. The restaurant may be behind me, but my passion for cooking is not. Please join me on the ongoing personal and culinary journey that started among the mountains of Kashmir so many years ago.