Running a home food-catering business after the closure of their restaurant – The Black Swallow – wasn’t an easy journey, but Zain and Ayesha were determined to make it work. Their latest venture, 'Peckish-by The Black Swallow,' a small family-run food business in the heart of Lahore, has been met with success as they serve enticing savories to satisfy your cravings.
“Our menu includes Tacos, Gyros, various kinds of wraps, and a delicious variety of sandwiches in unique spreads,” says Ayesha – a young graduate from Fatima Jinnah University who recently ventured into the culinary world.
She shared her vision further, stating that they wanted to bring something exceptional to the masses and cater to millennials and Gen Z as their target market.
In Lahore, the food scene has often been compared to that of Karachi (and it almost never wins), but Ayesha believes that perception is changing. "We see the rise of new local eateries offering various cuisines such as Mexican, Thai, and even Turkish, which indicates a positive shift in the culinary landscape."
For now, their focus is on their best-selling tacos, wraps, gyros, sandwiches, and non-carbonated drinks. The business relies heavily on deliveries, with a significant number of orders coming from Baked – a local takeaway and dine-in where they regularly stock their food.
In April this year, they managed to cater to 200 people at Haryali, marking their largest on-site gathering and serving of fresh food.
While their food has received great reviews, Ayesha and Zain have faced challenges in their home-based operation. “Retaining employees after extensive training has proven difficult, as some individuals resist learning new techniques,” states Ayesha. Despite these hurdles, Ayesha left her corporate job to join Zain and help him navigate the food business further.
Currently, they only accept pre-orders, but they plan to change that soon. Zain jokes, "Nobody wants to order something a day beforehand." For this reason, they are considering shifting to Food Panda and expanding their menu to include desserts, hummus, mutabbal, quiches, drinks, and mouth-watering homemade dips.
Emphasizing quality over quantity, they prioritize using local vendors and products. All their sauces, dips, and even the mustard are homemade, without the addition of colors or preservatives. They meticulously age and poach their meat in butter before searing it to perfection. Every element is prepared with precision, ensuring only the best is served.
Their commitment to quality, homemade goodness, and scientific food techniques sets them apart.
As they continue to grow, they aspire to expand their menu, offer same-day orders and delivery, and delight their customers with an extraordinary dining experience. Ayesha takes charge of building a dedicated team and supervising their food preparation and packaging.
Their upcoming food pop-up will take place during the event 'My Ex-Lover is dead,' a musical play at The Colony from June 15 to 18. The pop-up will primarily feature their popular tacos, designed to entice their target market.
If you’re waiting for some tempting delights on a rainy day, or just have a couple of friends over for a day in – Peckish by The Black Swallow is your best bet.
“Our menu includes Tacos, Gyros, various kinds of wraps, and a delicious variety of sandwiches in unique spreads,” says Ayesha – a young graduate from Fatima Jinnah University who recently ventured into the culinary world.
She shared her vision further, stating that they wanted to bring something exceptional to the masses and cater to millennials and Gen Z as their target market.
In Lahore, the food scene has often been compared to that of Karachi (and it almost never wins), but Ayesha believes that perception is changing. "We see the rise of new local eateries offering various cuisines such as Mexican, Thai, and even Turkish, which indicates a positive shift in the culinary landscape."
For now, their focus is on their best-selling tacos, wraps, gyros, sandwiches, and non-carbonated drinks. The business relies heavily on deliveries, with a significant number of orders coming from Baked – a local takeaway and dine-in where they regularly stock their food.
In April this year, they managed to cater to 200 people at Haryali, marking their largest on-site gathering and serving of fresh food.
While their food has received great reviews, Ayesha and Zain have faced challenges in their home-based operation. “Retaining employees after extensive training has proven difficult, as some individuals resist learning new techniques,” states Ayesha. Despite these hurdles, Ayesha left her corporate job to join Zain and help him navigate the food business further.
Currently, they only accept pre-orders, but they plan to change that soon. Zain jokes, "Nobody wants to order something a day beforehand." For this reason, they are considering shifting to Food Panda and expanding their menu to include desserts, hummus, mutabbal, quiches, drinks, and mouth-watering homemade dips.
Emphasizing quality over quantity, they prioritize using local vendors and products. All their sauces, dips, and even the mustard are homemade, without the addition of colors or preservatives. They meticulously age and poach their meat in butter before searing it to perfection. Every element is prepared with precision, ensuring only the best is served.
Their commitment to quality, homemade goodness, and scientific food techniques sets them apart.
As they continue to grow, they aspire to expand their menu, offer same-day orders and delivery, and delight their customers with an extraordinary dining experience. Ayesha takes charge of building a dedicated team and supervising their food preparation and packaging.
Their upcoming food pop-up will take place during the event 'My Ex-Lover is dead,' a musical play at The Colony from June 15 to 18. The pop-up will primarily feature their popular tacos, designed to entice their target market.
If you’re waiting for some tempting delights on a rainy day, or just have a couple of friends over for a day in – Peckish by The Black Swallow is your best bet.