The Local Beat

The Hearts that make that delightful lunch on our picncis just won big!

I’ve always said that the real magic of The Local Beat isn’t in the itinerary—it’s in the Kakis and Kakas who open their hearts to all of you.

Today, my heart is full. Three of our incredible home cooks—the backbone of our picnic meals—have been recognized by India’s first-ever project by Aspire For Her and SBI Foundation.

Out of hundreds of deserving home cooks across Goa, our women stood tall, winning a one-time grant of ₹50,000 each to upskill and scale their culinary dreams!

This isn’t just a "grant" to them. It’s a salute to the years spent over wood-fires, the secrets of the masalas passed down through generations, and the affable dignity of Goan hospitality.

To see the SBI Foundation and Aspire For Her invest in the talent of our villages is a game-changer. It means better equipment for their kitchens, more power to their dreams, and a louder voice for Goan heritage.

When you sit at our table this weekend and taste that Saansav, Khatkhatem, Bharille Bangde and Xacuti, know that you are eating food prepared by award-winning kakis (and kakas) of their craft.

Sashakti isn’t just a program; it’s a powerhouse.

Join me in celebrating these three kakis. They don't just cook; they preserve a way of life.

Thank you Aspire For Her, SBI Foundation and SEED.

A reminder that despite all the over-tourism in Goa, there will always be authentic, earthy and heartwarming experiences to seek.

The Local Beat is not in the business of showing people the undiscovered and unseen Goa, nor are we in the business of giving people a slice of Goan culture or food or whatever, and we are not in the business of pasoi's, picnics and bebde trails. We, The Local Beat are in the business of creating happy Goan memories.