OUR STORY
The Story of Annie and Bally and the journey behind Bhukkad Boca
Bally was born and raised in a small farming village in Punjab, India, where childhood meant long days playing in the streets and fields until the sun finally set. At just 19, driven by hope and responsibility, he left home in search of a more stable future abroad. His journey first took him to Germany, where he spent nine formative years working hard but never quite reaching the immigrant’s dream he had imagined.
Determined to keep going, Bally followed a friend’s invitation to Spain, arriving in Mallorca in 2017 with the hope of building a new life and securing residency. Like many newcomers, he found opportunity in kitchens and restaurants. With a natural palate, an intuitive understanding of flavour, and a strong work ethic, Bally quickly established himself as a talented and reliable cook.
Annie’s story begins far away in sunny Cape Town, South Africa. Raised in a single-parent household and surrounded by powerful women for whom food was an expression of love, generosity, and togetherness, Annie grew up immersed in cooking, hosting, and feeding people well. Inspired by this upbringing, she pursued a career in hospitality, studying hospitality management and gaining invaluable experience in Cape Town before spreading her wings abroad.
For nearly a decade, Annie worked on some of the world’s most luxurious superyachts, travelling extensively and experiencing global food cultures at the highest level. Those years shaped her sense of service, detail, and how truly meaningful hospitality can be when done with heart.
Their paths crossed on a Friday night in late November 2017, right here on the island of Mallorca. A chance meeting on a night out brought them together and from that moment on, their lives became intertwined. What followed was a shared journey through love, the challenges of immigration, the uncertainty of the pandemic, and the determination to build something lasting.
Today, Annie and Bally are proud to call Mallorca home. Together, they have started a family and taken the leap into their biggest shared dream yet: opening Bhukkad Boca.
Bhukkad Boca is the expression of who they are. Bally’s roots come through in bold, playful flavours inspired by Punjabi street food and Indian comfort cooking. Annie brings her instinct for hosting, warmth, and bringing people together. Their vision is simple but deeply intentional, to create a welcoming neighbourhood café that feels just as inviting to local residents as it does to curious travellers passing through.
This is more than a café. It’s a story of movement, resilience, cultural blending, and the belief that food has the power to connect people across backgrounds. Bhukkad Boca is their way of sharing that story, one plate, one cup of chai, and one conversation at a time.
“Through food
we pass down
flavour,
memory,
family
and a sense of home.”
