Meet the dynamic duo Solange and Keyur Lalaram at Chalk Craft Eatery who have love on the menu and blend passion with cuisine.
At Chalk Craft Eatery, love is more than just a feeling – it’s the secret ingredient that makes every dish unforgettable. Solange and Keyur Lalaram, the couple behind this beloved eatery, share a bond that goes beyond business.
It’s a deep partnership that powers their success. From their shared vision of what a dining experience should be to the way they navigate the highs and lows of restaurant ownership, their partnership is the heart and soul of the establishment.
The dynamic duo and the eatery
Solange and Keyur were both born and raised in Benoni. Coming from Portuguese and Indian cultural backgrounds, both of their upbringings were deeply rooted in the traditions of food, flavours and the importance of family and community.
‘Our families each owned restaurants, so we were immersed in the food industry from a young age. ‘The fragrant aromas of the kitchen and the lively energy of the restaurant’s front of the house became second nature to us, shaping our appreciation for the role food plays in bringing people together,’ shares the couple.
The dynamic duo met each other in high school when they were both 16 years old. Solange highlights: ‘He had just moved to my school. We were in the same class together. ‘K’ (as I like to call him) needed help with assignments. He was so charming and I couldn’t resist and that’s where our friendship began.’
It all started when Solange and Keyur began dating, and the rest, as they say, is history. Their journey took a new turn when they were presented with the chance to open a small bar and bistro in Benoni. Drawn to the idea of working together, they leaped, thinking, ‘How difficult could running a business be?’
Little did they know what lay ahead, but despite the challenges, they wouldn’t change a thing. After several years of managing the bar and bistro, they decided to venture into the restaurant business, and that’s when they opened Chalk Craft Eatery in Lakefield, Benoni.
‘Since then, our journey has been one of growth and celebration,’ says the couple. ‘Last year, we got engaged and tied the knot at Chalk, a place we’ve come to call home. It seemed only fitting to celebrate our love and hard work.’
‘From the ground up, we’ve built Chalk into the thriving establishment it is today. We are so blessed to be where we are right now. Our customers and staff are an extension of our family,’ says the duo.
Recipe for success
The passion for Chalk Craft Eatery found Solange and Keyur in the most natural way. Solange, with her love for design, decor, events, and front-of-house experience, paired perfectly with Keyur’s lifelong passion for food and flavours. Together, they created the ideal partnership to run this restaurant.
‘From the ground up, we’ve built Chalk into the thriving establishment it is today. We are so blessed to be where we are right now. Our customers and staff are an extension of our family,’ says the duo.
The couple takes immense pride in adding their personal touch to every aspect of the restaurant, making it feel like home for everyone who walks through the door.
In the beginning, balancing personal life with the demands of starting and running a new business was a challenge.
Solange and Keyur quickly realised that to live and work together, essentially being with each other 24/7, they needed to truly understand and support one another. ‘However, we believe this made us stronger than ever,’ added Solange and Keyur. Over time, they’ve established clear boundaries between their work and personal lives.
At work, they focus on business, discussing objectives, goals, and making decisions while trying to leave personal emotions out of high-pressure situations. Once they’re home and it’s time to unwind, they’ve agreed to avoid talking about anything related to work and instead focus on their personal thoughts, feelings, dreams, and aspirations.
‘It is important to take some time out for date night, to reconnect with each other and just have fun. This helps us unwind and recharge, which is advantageous both to our personal and work life.’
The couple reflects on how working with a partner, especially someone you love, brings a deeper emotional connection, trust and a unique understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They highlight that this kind of dynamic can enhance collaboration, but it can also introduce challenges, such as emotional stress or blurred boundaries, that you might not face when working with other colleagues.
‘However, there’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing your joint goals come to life and knowing that you’re building something together,’ they added.
At Chalk, Solange and Keyur’s responsibilities are split between back-of-house operations and front-of-house operations. They both play a significant role in shaping the menu and training the staff at the restaurant. Solange takes the lead on the front-of-house operations, while Keyur oversees the kitchen and bar.
Though they each have their own areas of responsibility, they work together seamlessly, stepping in to support one another during busy times or when a second opinion is needed.
‘We respect each other’s perspectives and thoughts – always knowing that we are on the same team and we have a joint vision.’
Additionally, they both share a significant hand in their menus and staff training. When it comes to front of house, Solange handles most of it, and when it comes to the kitchen and bar, Keyur handles most of it.
Photo: MEGAN BRETT. Text: DESNAY PETERSON. Location: CHALK CRAFT EATERY