It is a cafe with a difference.
Operated exclusively by the differently abled, Dream Kitchen opened to a rousing reception at the Collectorate here on Monday.
The cafeteria ushered in a new beginning for the 15 persons operating it and held the promise of inspiring many others to pick up entrepreneurship.
Collector Sandeep Nanduri, who inaugurated the cafeteria, said it was started to create job opportunities for the differently abled.
“Many differently abled persons come to the Collectorate seeking jobs. But, it may not be possible to provide government jobs to everyone,” he pointed out. “However, with good training, they can start their own ventures. This will serve as an inspiration to others.”
The operators of the café were given training for 45 days by a catering company. For setting it up, contributions worth around ₹30 lakh were received through corporate social responsibility funds from Indian Oil Corporation, Ramco Cements and South Ganga Water Technologies.
Attractively designed, the café serves a wide range of snacks, desserts, meals and beverages throughout the day at a nominal price.
“Transgenders, who were recently given training to make alternative products to plastics, will be selling their products to the canteen. It will serve hundreds of employees working on the Collectorate premises. Food for various events and meetings will also be ordered from the canteen, bringing them more income,” the Collector said.
K. Kannan, in-charge of the café, said the venture received a warm welcome from the public on its opening day. “It has created new and better jobs for the differently abled people employed here.”