Bolton: Westhoughton Rishi's fusion foods cafe opens

Husband and wife Sarita and Rishi Chohan of 17 years first got into business together three years ago when they opened RiPPS furniture in the market, before transforming it into RiPPS Subzero cafe.

Sarita told The Bolton News that it was always their dream to have a bigger space, and after two years of looking, they officially opened Rishi’s on Monday (September 18).

Rishi is described as a local cafe offering alternative fusion foods.

Sarita said: “We are here now, and we have been really blessed to have loyal customers from the market and new ones as well.

“We brought our clientele and our experience as a fast-food owner, and we wanted to bring something different to Westhoughton.

“Furniture was what my husband wanted to do and I always dreamt of having a café where I do nursing consultations and food, but then Covid happened, and it was more viable to just do food, and we both enjoy doing that.”

Sarita still works as a nurse and is a local councillor in the area, which she is passionate about. The couple also have two sons wh also help out where they can.

The couple's culture and background inspires the menu food with Sarita’s heritage in Mauritius and Rishi’s roots in India.

Sarita added: “We wanted to make it authentic like something we would have at home because there are so many variations of curry.”

The food is also made to be healthier with oil being replaced by Fry Light.

Everything from salmon curry, Mauritius chicken stir fry curry, breakfasts to lunch options, and  more is on the menu.

Sarita has said that they would not be able to do this without the support of Hannah Short who works alongside them, and the community.

She said: “We couldn’t do it without our support staff member who has been amazing with everything.

“It’s almost like a dream come true to have our own bigger premises where we have happy customers sitting down, which we didn’t have before.

“There is a really good community spirit in the area.

“A lot of elderly customers come in and they live on their own.

“It’s a place to come and have a chat with either one of us.

“When you see the positivity, you think you have done the right thing.

“We will make the best of it with the support of local people.”

The restaurant is located at 45 Market Street, Westhoughton.

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