Coronavirus: Ryde restaurant offers free lunch to elderly and vulnerable

Paradise Biryani House was open for just two months before they were hit with the latest coronavirus pandemic measures - yet they are still working at full steam preparing free lunches for Ryde Hospital nurses and the community’s most vulnerable.

NORTHERN DISTRICT TIMES. Paradise Biryani House. His restaurant only opened two months ago and he has already had to let go six staff bc of the new social distancing rules. Yet he has offered to give out free lunches to the elderly and disabled and Ryde hospital nurses. Delivery drivers also pick up groceries for the vulnerable group along the way. The owners Raja Pokala (L) and Suren Gadheraju (R), photographed today 27th March 2020. (AAP/Image Matthew Vasilescu)

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A restaurant which was open for just two months before it was hit with the latest coronavirus pandemic measures is still working at full steam preparing free lunches for nurses and the community’s most vulnerable.

Raja Pokala who runs Paradise Biryani House in North Ryde said he didn’t have to think twice about giving out free curry and rice lunches for the elderly and those living with a disability.

When asked how he came up with the idea he said, “Just being a normal human.”

“The thing is we all see people rushing to centrelink and supermarkets but pensioners and the vulnerable may not have that chance,” he said.

Paradise Biryani House owners Raja Pokala (L) and Suren Gadheraju (R), opened for just two months before they were hit with the latest coronavirus pandemic measures yet they are still working at full steam preparing free lunches for nurses and the community’s most vulnerable. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

After the federal government announcement which banned dining in restaurants, Mr Pokala said he had no choice with $3,500 rent to pay per week.

The restaurant is now kicking on with “skeleton staff” and a few delivery drivers who also drop off milk and other staples at the local supermarket along the route if they can.

Mr Pokala has most recently offered their lunch giveaway to nurses working tirelessly at nearby Ryde Hospital.

Opening its doors on January 30, Mr Pokala was excited to take biryani, a mixed rice indian rice dish combining spices, vegetables and meat, to the people of Ryde.

Opening its doors on January 30, Mr Pokala was excited to take biryani, a mixed rice indian rice dish combining spices, vegetables and meat, to the people of Ryde. Picture: Supplied

Explaining the difference between biryani and fried rice he said the meat is first cooked then layered with rice.

“So the flavour of meat is in the rice and it’s pressure sealed and cooked in one pot. You get the flavour in the whole rice. Most of the others mix rice and curry in a pan,” he said.

Even though it’s been about two months since they opened, Mr Pokala said the customers in Ryde have been very welcoming compared to his previous Strathfield restaurant.

“Even when they declared the social distancing measures, my most loyal customers came down to show they supported us. We felt really content,” Mr Pokala said.

“Strathfield was a floating population. People would come, buy and go. But in Ryde you have a more community feeling,” he said

“Even when they declared the social distancing measures, my most loyal customers came down to show they supported us. We felt really content,” he said.

Paradise Biryani House

142 Cox Road, North Ryde

[phone]