“This Forest93 ambassadorship holds as much value for us, as our PSA (Persons of Surinamese Descent status) — it deepens my relationship with Suriname. I actively think and work towards: how can I make this authentic? How can it resonate with everything I do? My intention is to learn — and to share that learning, in the right way.”
Efforts
What Tiff & Kesh has done with Forest93, project by project.
Active
Planting in Papa Aswa's agroforest
Growers and hosts
Are developing the agroforestry plot to grow fresh, sustainable produce for their restaurant, combining traditional agricultural practices with modern farming techniques, and hosted the planting of fruit trees with the Green Growth Suriname board.
- Food security
About Tiff & Kesh
Tiffany Hiralal and Rakesh Kanhai are hospitality entrepreneurs, in the Netherlands and in Suriname, with a deep passion for Surinamese culture.
For over twenty years Rakesh has been active in live shows, artist development and creative production. He is known as DJ Kesh, and from initiatives such as Prestige Worldwide, 4 The Culture Foundation, and Studio Sipaliwini in the middle of the rainforest in Suriname. That experience aligned naturally with Tiffany’s vision when their paths crossed. At the time, Tiffany was stirring up a quiet revolution in the Surinamese culinary scene in the Netherlands.
After an inspiring spiritual and cultural food journey through Suriname, Tiffany developed a new restaurant concept rooted in the strength of Surinamese ancestors and authentic traditions. At Papa Aswa in Amsterdam they honour ancestral heritage and celebrate Surinamese culture, connecting meaningful stories to dishes and presenting the Surinamese kitchen with the dignity and creativity it deserves.
Together they organised Suriname’s first dinner show experience, and they continue to dedicate themselves to Suriname in many ways, including the early development of a food forest. It reflects their shared intention towards forest stewardship and living in balance with self, community and nature. As partners in business, and in love, Tiff & Kesh walk an untrodden path towards harmony with themselves, each other and nature.
Part of their story in Suriname was told in an episode of the VPRO/Omroep Zwart television series De nieuwe generaties van Suriname, broadcast in the Netherlands in September 2025. In it they talk about their deep connection to Surinamese culture, the land and each other’s ancestral roots. In Suriname they grow their signature cassava for the restaurant in Amsterdam, weaving a living connection between both worlds through the art of food.
Follow Tiffany on Instagram, Kesh on Instagram, and their businesses at papaaswa.nl and prestige-worldwide.nl.