MELA brings international cuisine to campus

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Abtesam Khan, also known as Shaheen, is the owner of MELA Bangladeshi Food Co. which strives to give the local community flavorful and healthy food options. “MELA,” meaning festival, was inspired by traditional Bangladeshi food and her participation in the local farmer’s market.

From the little country of Bangladesh, Shaheen initially began her company because of her teenage sons who would encourage her to sell her food to the public when she would make them a meal.

“My kids never asked me to eat outside. That makes me confident. Even when I asked [if] we can go eat somewhere, they don’t want to go. They want to eat at home, whatever I make,” she said.

Shaheen searched for a job but finding work was not easy. So, in May of 2014, she began as a walking vendor. A friend then mentioned to her the benefits of becoming a season vendor.

 “[Their] customers will come back every time they eat,” Shaheen’s husband, Enam said.

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Although some people say Indian food is too spicy, Enam and Shaheen mention that they add less chili so that it’s not too spicy.

“Some people find that it’s not spicy enough,” Shaheen said. “The level of spice and seasonings are balanced.”

Enam explains that their food is very heart healthy, and they cook everything from scratch with no artificial flavor or color.

“We are trying to make our food from locally grown produce,” Shaheen said.

On Saturday, Sept. 3 at the WSU football game Shaheen’s heart healthy food, MELA, will be located in section twenty-five of Martin Stadium.

“I hope that it will add a new dimension to what the Martin Stadium vendors could offer to the whole community,” Enam said.