Newlyweds Melvin and Jessica Kumar share their blend of Indian, Malaysian, and experimental cooking at every BYU-Hawaii Farmers Market to give students and community members a “taste that fills the soul” with Kumar’s Kitchen. “My mom was the backbone,” Melvin said. “She taught me everything I know.” Now the Kumar’s take his mother’s recipes, add their own twist to them and created the flavor Kumar’s Kitchen’s has today.Melvin is Indian, but grew up in Malaysia and Jessica is from Florida. The couple met at BYUH and have been married for almost a year. The Kumars said they enjoy cooking for each other and wanted to share it with others. Jessica said the food is a mix of Malaysian and Indian styles. It is a unique taste that keeps people coming back. Melvin said, “We both really enjoy cooking and have always cooked good food in the house. We wondered if others ate as well as us?” With this question in mind, the Kumars began to cook for their friends and neighbors. The food was an instant hit with everyone who tasted it, the couple said, so with these favorable reviews, they began setting up at the Farmers Markets on campus. Now the Kumars are at the Farmers Market every other Friday from 10:30 a.m., to 2 p.m. Tyler Wares, a senior in business from California, said of their cooking, “The satayed chicken in peanut sauce was amazing. I also liked the flavorful but clean taste of the Tandoori chicken.” The Kumars’ slogan is “Taste that fills the soul.” Melvin said he prepares and cooks with this idea in his head, that way all the food comes out the best for the customer. Each week the menu changes and they are trying new things. Jessica said, “I love seeing the people enjoy the food. That is what makes it all worth it for me.”
Writer: Trenton McCullough ~ Multimedia Journalist
