TAAF Staff Picks: Maneesha Bhugwansing
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It's time to hear from another TAAF Staffer on their recommendations for music, travel, AANHPI small businesses, and more!
Maneesha Bhugwansing is one of TAAF's newest staff members! She recently joined as Impact Manager, based in NYC. Her role is to define metrics to ensure we're able to measure impact across all the work TAAF does, and to evaluate the work we do to inform future work.
What films or TV shows are you excited about right now?
I’m currently watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Great British Baking Show. Each year I try to do some of the baking challenges at home, and each time I realize decoration is not my forte, although my desserts taste good.
Do you have a favorite book or author you're reading?
I like books with magic and dragons in them, and growing up Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series about kids in New York City discovering magic was a favorite. Most recently I’ve started reading Maori Tales of Long Ago by A.W. Reed, a collection of stories adapted from Maori mythology.
What song is on repeat on your playlist?
I recently discovered "Jhol" by Annural Khalid and Maanu through Coke Studio Pakistan, and that’s been on repeat. I’ve also had Lewis Capaldi’s first album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, back in my daily rotation.
What's your top travel destination or bucket list vacation?
I was fortunate enough to cross my number one vacation, a trek through Patagonia, off my bucket list a few years ago. Next would be a long vacation eating my way through Italy, and visiting the mountain temples in the Himalayas while my knees and my cardio are still decent.
Any local AANHPI owned restaurants or small businesses that you recommend?
With holidays coming up, I will be making multiple trips to Raja Sweets in Jackson Heights—their barfi is my favorite. In the vein of desserts, one of my favorite spots is YuanYang Dessert in Flushing, and Karat Cake on Northern Blvd also in Flushing, for cake that is not too sweet. Recently opened Darjeeling Kitchen & Cafe in Astoria has amazing, homey, Nepali/Tibetan food and has become a favorite as well.
Stay tuned for picks from another TAAF staffer next month!