Shyamal Raju is the executive chef at Arriba, The Tapas Bar at Film Nagar, and at Prost at Jubilee Hills. He happens to be the student of Michelin star chef Manjunath Mural. But what’s new and interesting is the fact that Shyamal has introduced tapas to the people of Hyderabad.

As many would already know, tapas is an appetizer or snack in Spanish. However, it’s not just about the size here. The bite-sized tapas are actually elaborate cuisines in small portions, and each one is made to perfection. However, at Arriba, one can enjoy tapas with a Spanish twist.

Both Shyamal and Manjunath have worked together to create a menu of appetizers like lamb samosas. While it might sound like everyday food, these samosas have some secret ingredients, reveals Shyamlal, who also serves haleem that is fried in a tiny bowl at Arriba.

Then there is shrimp mushroom masala omelet and calamari frito, among others, all curated by the duo. However, Shyamlal is candid about his experience of being trained by Manjunath. He says while he feared that training under a celebrity chef would be difficult, the master chef made it a pretty smooth experience.

Though Shyamlal was known for his Italian and continental food, today, he swears by Spanish fusion food and adds that it was the tapas concept that drew him to Arriba. He adds that he loves to learn, and as the teachings of Michelin chef have come to Hyderabad for the first time, people have totally taken to them.