NASA astronaut Sunita Williams won Dubai restaurant workers’ hearts, loved Kerala dishes

Dubai: While NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ family in India is reportedly planning a traditional north-Indian feast following her return to Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay in space, some Dubai restaurant workers have recalled how she had won their hearts with her affable character and love for Kerala dishes during her UAE visit.

November 8, 2023, was a special day for Calicut Paragon Restaurant in Karama. It was on that day that Williams arrived at the restaurant while she was in the UAE to participate in the Sharjah International Book Fair.

Manikandan Mahadevan, general manager of the restaurant, told Gulf News that as soon they got to know Williams would be visiting the restaurant along with her mother Bonnie Pandya, they decided to give her a grand reception.

“Our boss [restaurant owner Sumesh Govind] wanted to give her a special welcome and we threw a surprise by placing a big board in front of the restaurant welcoming her,” he recalled.

The board carried Williams’ picture in an astronaut’s suit with the message ‘Welcoming A Star in Space.’

“It was the first time that we did something like that for a VIP guest though we have had many celebrity guests earlier,” said Mahadevan.

He said Williams spent around two hours at the restaurant, savouring several of their famous Indian dishes.

Govind said he was extremely happy that she enjoyed everything and spoke highly about most of the items.

“But what she loved the most was our beetroot halwa with ice cream combo. It was our patron and my friend Najeeb Moidoo, who was also present at that time, who suggested that we serve serve her that dessert. She fell in love with it and wished she could take it to space on her next trip, ” he said.

While chef Vibin Villas was super thrilled about cooking for the space heroine, guest relations executive Rajesh Kakkopravan and waiters Mohammed Neymat and Rinto Parakkal were also excited to take photos with her. They said she happily agreed and posed for group and individual photos and selfies

“She was so down to earth. It was a big achievement for us to even see her. She was kind enough to pose for pictures and talk to us,” said Neymat.

The team said they all had prayed for her safe return to Earth.

“Now we are looking forward to her joining her family in a healthy condition and waiting for her next Dubai trip to give her a wonderful reception again,” said Govind.