Daana: a mouthwatering meal with meaning

Posted on 28 May, 2019

From humble beginnings in Acton’s Westside container village, Daana offers family recipes and subcontinental culinary treats.

Now based in Curtin, Daana co-owners and chefs Sanjay and Sunita Kumar offer guests an exploratory journey through their own culinary history, inspired by generations of traditional expertise and experience in some of India’s top restaurants.

“While we cook our family recipes and recipes learnt from other fabulous regional cooks, we are constantly learning through extensive research and collaboration with regional chefs, bloggers and home-cooks,” says Sunita.

However, this is also a business with a conscience. Sunita explains that “Daana means generosity or giving”, which she attributes to the restaurant’s aim of showcasing the “richness, variety and complexity of Indian Cuisine” as well as supporting the community that surrounds them.

“It is our honest attempt to present a fulfilling experience of authentic Indian cuisines…with a spirit of generosity”.

On top of the lovingly crafted menu, every Saturday Daana offers a sensory tour of a different part of the dynamic Indian foodscape with Daana’s Thali tasting banquets. But it’s not just about the food. Daana supports a different charitable organisation for each of their regular Karma Kitchen @ Daana dinners. These events see guests nominating to pay an amount of their choice for a three-course Chef’s Menu, with a portion of proceeds going directly to the charity.

“This is one of the principles that guide our business ethos,” explains Sunita. This is evident in Daana’s place as a 2017 Finalist for the ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award as the business provides ‘meaningful employment for people with special needs’.

Karma Kitchen volunteers are invited to join in on the fun in the kitchen or out on the floor in any way they can.

Having won ACT’s 2017 Best New Restaurant, the 2018 ACT prize for an Indian/Sub-Continent Restaurant and having been a finalist in Restaurant and Catering industry’s national 2018 awards for the same category, it’s not just locals recognising the hard work and excellence of the restaurant.

Daana’s upcoming Karma Kitchen on Wednesday 5 June will be in support or the Gordon Community Centre and bookings are now open via the Daana website.

Images: Facebook