Eateries get a taste of local with Covid-19 pandemic impacting supplies

Imported fare makes way for homegrown produce

If you’ve ever had tuna at Olive Qutub, a Mediterranean and European restaurant in Delhi’s old-world Mehrauli, it is likely that the fish came from Japan. Or if you’ve tried the chocolate torte here, chances are the accompanying raspberries were flown in from some country in the West. But that was before the pandemic.

As Covid-19 forced countries to secure their borders and the supply of imported ingredients dried up overnight, restaurants have had to tweak their menus or go local.

So, Olive Qutub now replaces raspberries with falsa (black currant) from Uttarakhand whenever it’s in season. “Even when it’s