I thought it was time to try out Pak Foods as it marks its 30th anniversary
It still sells fruit and veg out front – just like the olden days(Image: Derby Telegraph)
In all my journeys through Normanton, I’d never ventured into one of the city’s most successful local businesses – Pak Foods. And to be honest, I was out of my depth.
The shop opened in May 1996, since expanding to nine locations across the UK – but it’s flagship Normanton Road site is the ground-zero of the multi-million pound operation we know today.
I’m new(ish) to Derby, and I’ve never lived within walking distance of Pak Foods. If I’m honest, I’ve never thought about heading to Normanton to grab a few bits and bobs during rush hour, which is particularly hectic in the DE23 postcode.
But what I do love is food – you can ask my waistband – and Pak Foods opens the door to new flavours and a different atmosphere.
But was it all a bit too much for the roving reporter with an unadventurous palate? Maybe…
I’d set out to buy some meat, maybe some spices, and a sweet treat or two.
The first thing you notice is the array of fruit and veg displayed on the curbside. But my fridge was pretty well-stocked, so I moved onto the aisles inside.
There, I was instantly met with a wall filled with sacks – not bags – of various types of rice. Basmati, jasmine, long grain – all in different shapes and sizes.
Considering I’m more of an overcooked meat and soggy potatoes kind of guy, I reckon one of those big sacks could genuinely serve me for a lifetime, so I figured it was best to move on – let’s not get carried away.
What followed was an aimless journey through a dozen or so aisles, with items varying from rare spices and seasonings (or at least, bottled up by brands I’d never seen before), to your household essentials and even some kids’ toys.
In fact, I noticed a full head-to-toe display for pickled garlic and apricot, something I didn’t even know was an option.
But as I mentioned before, you’re reading the scribblings of a man who can’t handle anything hotter than a korma, a man who has built a reputation for being a picky eater among friends.
Even though I’d worked as a chef for a few years when I was younger, I was completely out of my depth when it came to herbs, seeds and spices.
A good curry at home was the ultimate goal at the end of all this, but I had no idea what to do with ‘lime powder’, ‘papaya paste’ and ‘soya chaap’ – which are just a trio of these products that stuck with me since my visit.
I felt like I’d been in The Truman Show of food all my life, and now I’d escaped, I found myself feeling like a fish out of water.
I feel like you’d need a textbook to figure out what to do with all of the above – but I imagine for the regulars, many of whom I’m sure live within this diverse part of Derby, it’s just been passed down through word of mouth over the years.
So, what did I buy when I finally had the courage to make a choice?
At the back, I noticed a butchery loaded with lamb, mutton, beef and chicken.
It wasn’t your traditional British-style butchers, and not just due to the absence of pork.
Rather than ribeyes, rumps and filet steaks, instead you’ll find diced beef and mutton, but still a few lamb chops, which are evidently loved by everyone.
I was drawn to the heavily seasoned diced chicken breast, which I thought would be great for one of my mild curries.
I also opted for some diced boneless mutton, something I’ve never cooked before – but something I know would be great for stewing, whether it’s curry or something a little more familiar.
There was also a selection of international sweet treats, including what’s called ‘mini gulab jaman’, which looked like small cake bites drenched in syrup.
Apparently, they are ‘syrup-soaked milk dumplings’ – definitely something I’m not used to.
They were pretty nice, although you could call it an acquired taste, particularly due to how sweet they were. They’ll get eaten, don’t get me wrong, but I think I’d struggle to eat more than four or five in one sitting – but luckily they don’t spoil quickly, so there’s no rush.
I rounded it off with some Patak’s tikka masala (adventurous, I know) curry paste, which along with half a kilo of mutton, another half kilo of chicken, and the sweets, came to £19.73.
I couldn’t tell you if it was a good price, but I can tell you I’m sure the experienced home-cook would have a field day over at Pak Foods.
I could’ve spent hours there perusing the lanes, but a novice like myself could only take it so far.
If you’ve ever considered a trip to Pak Foods but haven’t, for whatever reason, I’d highly recommend it.
It’s a staple of the community, quite literally. When the five Pak Foods brothers took it over in 1996, Normanton was, in their words, “dead”.
But nowadays, you’ll struggle to find an empty shop in the area, and Pak Foods has had a big part to play.
