About

All about Raji

I was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu - southern state of India. Growing up as the youngest of the four, cooking was an opportunity to have special time with my mum and differentiate myself from my sister and brothers. I would closely watch my mum's actions from chopping vegetables, grinding, mixing and stirring. She would get me to taste the dishes and explain the spices that went in. Gradually she would let me engage with the cooking process. I still remember the first dish I made on my own (with some assistance from my mum)

Being my dad's favourite, cooking was another way to seek his approval, and I think he was extremely pleased by my interest in cooking. Both my mum and dad enjoyed cooking, and I had so much fun watching and learning. As a Hindu we had so many religious occasions throughout the year with at least five or six special calendar events throughout the year and like other religions, these are marked with the preparation of specific dishes. All around the world, family and friends gather around to enjoy the meal together.

I used to wonder, "how my mum could keep churning out such a variety of dishes?" "How could she remember them?" "Is she writing the recipes down somewhere?". Funny enough my daughter asks me these questions now.