The Bite behind the News

Photo: Prabir Das

Newspaper offices are known for their hectic schedules. People working in one know how everyday assignments and edits can turn work into somewhat of a battle field. As journalists are also considered to be human beings, they sometimes require a certain escape route. A minute's get away from all the tippy-tappy-typing and brain storming. The Daily Star is no different and it has its own little space of stress relief. We call it The DS Café.

Located on the fourth floor of the Daily Star Centre, Ds Café is considered to be one of the major inspiration depots of the office. Nine in the morning is when the café opens up, serving the first meal of the day. The mixed vegetable or daal (lentil soup) served with ruti and parata's straight out of the stove becomes the perfect uplift to every journalist's day. As the day moves on, the DS Café turns into a place of rendezvous. Rattling sounds of tea cups and saucers fill the room, giving the ideal ambiance to the meet and greet. Shingaras and Samosas can be seen filling up the plates till lunch.

"Lunch hour is by far the busiest hour," says Mamun, employee at the DS Café. Every table gets booked as the cafe serves the most delicious meal they make. Daily Star journalists may or may not take pride in their work, but they sure take pride in DS Café's lunch.  From chicken jhal fry to beef bhuna to fresh fish, most of the time everything is on the menu.  "The bhortas and dried fish are to die for," says Nilima Jahan, reporter at The Daily Star. "I know it is going to be a good day when I see these items on the menu."  Inviting someone to lunch in the DS Café is considered an honour. Not because of the invite but to give them a taste of this amazing food experience.

Other than lunch, another good time to try out the cafe is during the evening. This is the time when DS Café offers some mouth watering snacks. The one thing which is always on the menu and is very popular among the employees is the chicken fry.

Another great time to be a part of the DS Café crowd is when a cricket match is going on. The canteen switches its role into a mini stadium. One can see sports reporters seated in the front row, listening intently and remembering every single detail, while others sit on the edge of their seats to see the winning 6 runs scored by our Tigers. Though it may sound like all fun and games, DS Café is also known as one of the major places to hold the weekly or daily meetings. "We come up with our best ideas in this place and I think the food has a lot to do with that," says Shahnawaz Khan Chandan, reporter at the Star Weekend.

The canteen is run by a team of 19. They are considered as equals or even more essential to the newspapers office. They and the food they deliver is a vital source to Daily Star's news circle. There might be other restaurants coming and going in our city but those who experienced the joy of the DS Café will always have a soft spot for it in their hearts.