# 6

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FoodieWhippedSA

 

Good day South Africa

 

Usually, Weekly Al starts by a cryptic paragraph to describe what I'm about to tell you and I am not one to break traditions. So being the secretive blogger that I am, I can only say that this story is one with a taste of happiness to everything that will satisfy every little thing that you think represents joy in your life. And I do believe that Kalpesh Dullabh, or as the social media world knows him as FoodieWhippedSA, will agree with me.

 

The past few stories have been about actors, singers and public figures who are passionate about being in front of the camera, dancing with a microphone or performing on stage, but never have I came across someone who is as passionate about food as Kalpesh.

 

He describes being a foodie as not just a hobby, but a way of life and in his circumstances, a healthy one. Looking for and experimenting with healthy and nutritious cuisines whilst living a life of a gym fanatic, Kalpesh has always enjoyed cooking. He is passionate about combining food colors and ingredients that will give an authentic taste to something that can contribute to his healthy lifestyle and others as well. You would think that his hands would be full being a forensic manager by day, but having such a passion for food and allowing that passion to burn on, allowed him to truly believe that he can succeed at anything in life.

 

Not only is he performing in high standards as a forensic manager, food connoisseur and a health and fitness enthusiast, he is also a very supportive and loving husband to soulmate and charming wife Neeta Raga-Dullabh, who shares the same passion as he does.

 

One would simply think that being so busy and living a healthy extroverted life, Kalpesh was like this his entire life. But like all books, it should not be judged so easily, because his story runs a little bit deeper than one would think. Talking about his own life while growing up, Kalpesh explained that he was never as outspoken and assertive as he is now, and was actually the complete opposite while growing up.

 

He described his life as being always shy and feeling excluded from the rest of his community, all be it from friends or his community. In his words, he also explained that people always "walked over him" and never got involved with conversations and social gatherings. That was until he graduated from high school and decided a change must be made before he started with the varsity.

 

During his varsity years, Kalpesh was placed in many situations where he had no other choice than to interact with people and be part of a community that is dependent from one another by means of social interactions. These moments that forced him to step outside of his comfort zone, made him become the person who he describes as "can't stop talking and loves meeting new people and hearing their life stories.

 

He describes this new personality as one consisting of three flavours; mint which gives off a strong but clear and clean taste in life, honey which represents the sweet and kind characteristics that I believe everyone should have, and finally ginger – a herb used as a spice or a medicinal herb that allows a healthy lifestyle to resonate even in difficult times. He also mentioned that he would use these three ingredients to create a new flavor, a flavor that will in a way relate to his current personality as a "fiery adventurer".

 

It is proved on so many times, that if you believe in who you are as an individual and grab onto that small ounce of courage that you have, then you can adopt a whole new world with just amazing, challenging and exciting adventures waiting for you to be part with.

 

Being a foodie opened literally so many doors for FoodieWhippedSA. He was invited to many restaurants that launched new menus, tasting of new wines and pairing of beers, trying out new cuisines along with promoting new establishments. The food industry is an ever changing one and Kalpesh and many other foodies would agree that there is still untapped potential in the industry waiting to be tapped into and more flavors to be discovered and tasted. Along with being involved with fine cuisine and faces of the food industry, Kalpesh also aspires to encourage men to cook for their significant other. He explains that in this day and age, pressures of life has a way of taking over and believes that it is only fair that men should prepare a wholesome meal for their partner or family at least three times a week. These aspirations inspire him to one day create his own cooking show that shows cases the healthy recipes that he will one day develop. He also expresses that his show should air live exactly when his watchers are at home so that they can cook along with him.

 

Concluding this tale, it is always difficult to say that the road to success isn't an easy profession. But with sheer dedication, a clear optimistic view in life and utmost determination to work for what you are passionate about, you will travel on that road. To quote FoodieWhippedSA: "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire!" Be whipped by your passion and live life to your full potential.

 

Cheers for this week

WA