Culinary Tour And Cooking Classes

“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.” – John Keats

India is a country of contrasts and a feast for the senses. Its culinary offerings are truly a delight, with a wide range of flavors and traditions that will leave you wanting more. From the bustling spice markets of Old Delhi “Chandi Chowk” to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, India is a land of diverse and vibrant cuisine, where every dish tells a unique story of culture and tradition. Take a culinary journey through the lively streets and hidden corners of India, and indulge in the rich tapestry of flavors that will surely leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.

The tourism potential of India lies not only in its rich culture and heritage but also its gastronomy which is a melange of spices and flavours.

A culinary tour of India is not merely about the food, it is an immersive journey that allows you to delve into the vibrant and diverse culture of this incredible country. Embarking on a gastronomic expedition in India is like entering a world of varied tastes, fragrant spices, and rich cultural legacy. Every instant, from the bustling markets filled with alluring aromas to the warm hospitality of the people, offers an irresistible chance to delve into the intricate fabric of Indian existence.

Food is an intrinsic part of experiencing a new place.

The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it and taste it. – Rudyard Kipling

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Indian craftsmanship by engaging with local artisans and witnessing their exceptional craft skills. Embark on a journey to spice plantations, where you can witness the meticulous cultivation of a myriad of spices that define the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine. Uncover the secrets of ancient temples and palaces, magnificent structures that have withstood the test of time. Each experience promises to be a sensory delight, forging a profound connection to the very heart and soul of India.

Embark on a gastronomic adventure through the vibrant streets and hidden corners of India, where every bite tells a story and every dish is a celebration of culture and tradition. From the tantalizing street food of Delhi to the serene backwaters of Kerala, India offers a kaleidoscope of flavors that will leave you craving for more.

Indulge in the richness of Indian cuisine, where spices dance on your palate and aromas transport you to a world of sensory bliss. Immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality of the locals, who will welcome you with open arms and share their culinary secrets. Cooking skill was passed down from generations to generations, from mother to daughter and from chefs to their juniors. The famous guru-shishya parampara also prevailed in the kitchens. The recipes were never recorded and they were only memorized. Let India’s culinary delights awaken your senses and create memories that will last a lifetime.

“If LOVE is the FOOD of life, TRAVEL is the DESSERT.” – Amanda Jane Sturges

Indian food is as varied as its culture and people. In every region, food changes its flavours and techniques of cooking. As Indian food is influenced by its religions, customs, and traditions.

Indian food is born from the concept of ayurveda. Ayurveda comprises two word—ayus, meaning life and vedas, study or knowledge, hence ayurveda means knowledge of life, which begins from the basic ingredient ‘food’. Foreign invasions, trade relations and colonialism have aided in bringing new elements to Indian cuisine. The integration of foreign elements to the traditional Indian cuisine over various centuries has made it diverse. Diverse climates, commerce, and religious practices have all contributed to making India a diverse bed of culinary creativity.

"Food and Travel have a very close bond. Some would say they are like movies and popcorn, ice cream and cone, one can be had without the other"

India's culinary landscape is incredibly diverse, with each region boasting its own unique flavors and cooking styles. North Indian cuisine is renowned for its opulent and creamy gravies, delectable kebabs bursting with flavor, and aromatic biryanis that tantalize the senses. Immerse yourself in the world-famous butter chicken, savor the melt-in-your-mouth kebabs, and relish the fragrant saffron-infused biryanis that transport you to a realm of culinary delight. South Indian cuisine is a delightful celebration of spices and flavors. It offers a wide array of delectable dishes, ranging from crispy dosas and fluffy idlis to tangy sambar and coconut-based curries, ensuring a delightful experience for every palate. Experience the exquisite coastal delights of Kerala, renowned for its delectable seafood delicacies. Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of Tamil Nadu's Chettinad cuisine, a truly unique culinary experience. East India cuisine is characterized by its subtle flavorsand use of mustard oil in cooking. Bengali cuisine, famous for its fish preparations and sweets like rasgulla and sandesh, is a must-try. The aromatic spices of Odisha and the street food culture of Kolkata add to the culinary tapestry of the region. The Western region of India presents a delightful amalgamation of flavors influenced by the rich culinary traditions of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Prepare to embark on a tantalizing journey as you explore the vibrant street food scene of Mumbai, renowned for its lip-smacking delicacies such as vada pav and pav bhaji. Experience the royal flavors of Rajasthan's rich curries and the vegetarian delights of Gujarat. And not to forget one special ingredient which we Indian use in our all dishes is “OUR LOVE” that makes a dish complete.

As Indian food gains popularity all over the world, more and more people want to explore Indian cuisine in more detail.

We Stories of India invite you to the Culinary Journey of India, where you will experience Cooking Classes, Visiting Spice Markets, Farm-to-Table Experiences, Food Festivals and Culinary Events, Discovering Traditional Beverages, Exploration of Ayurvedic Cuisine and Food Souvenirs and Shopping. Embrace the opulence of Indian cuisine, connect with local communities, and forge lifelong memories through the tantalizing flavors and captivating aromas of India's culinary delights.

Street Food

Indian street food is not just a culinary delight but also a cultural experience that has to be savored and cherished. The streets of India burst with vibrant colors, mouth-watering aromas, and the sounds of sizzling pans. From the famous Pav Bhaji, Samosa, Jalebi, Chat to the spicy Pani Puri, the diverse range of street food reflects the gastronomical diversity of the country.

We Stories of India invite you to immerse yourself in the flavors of India and let's explore the tantalizing flavors and enticing aromas that make Indian street food unique. Let's lose ourselves in the chaos and delight that these streets have to offer, creating memories and stories that will linger for a lifetime.

Kashmiri Cuisine

Kashmiri Cuisine - Essentially a meat based cuisine, Kashmiri cuisine has most of its famous dishes made from lamb, goat’s meat and chicken meat. You will find use to saffron and Kashmiri chilli in the dishes which is quite specific to Kashmiri Cuisines. Dry fruit like walnuts, dried dates, and apricots along with cottage cheese or ‘chaman’ is also hugely used in the dishes belonging to this particular cuisine. Because of the cold climate, some specific fruits are grown in part of the country such as strawberries, plums, cherries and apples which also form important part of the meals.

Mughlai Cuisine

Mughlai Cuisine - is nothing less than a royal cuisine. The dishes in the Mughlai cuisines are rich and prepared with elongated methods and precision. Rich sauces, butter-based curries, ginger flavoured roast meats, and exquisite sweets define this cuisine. The cuisine offers you with amazing varieties ranging from tangy shorba to the rose petal strewn kulfi to delicately prepared meats, etc.

Punjabi Cuisine

Punjabi Cuisine - Quite popular not just in India but in the entire world, the Punjabi cuisine presents you with mouth-watering and rich delicacies varying from marinated meat to chicken to fish to paneer to breads such as rotis (of various kinds), naans, parathas, etc. to sumptuous list of sweets. It majorly includes tandoori cooking. Influence of mughals can also be seen in Punjabi cuisine such as in murgh makhani where the gravy component can be related to the Mughal style of preparation. The drink such as lassi is also very specific of Punjabi cuisine.

Maharashtrian Cuisine

Maharashtrian Cuisine - also offers some exotic delicacies, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. From sweets like puran poli, ukdiche modak, shrikhand to wide varieties of meat and fish based dishes to vegetarian delicacies, the cuisines promises some relishing moments for sure.

Bengali Cuisine

Bengali Cuisine - Bengalis cuisine is most popular for its sweets and fish preparations. Some of the famous sweet from this cuisine are rasgulla, gulab jamuns, cham cham, chena murki, anarkali, rajbhog, mishti dohi, etc. The cuisine has wide varieties of fish delicacies. The spices used in cuisine slightly differ from central part of India. Use of panch phoron which is prepared from five basic spices which include Jeera (Cumin Seeds), Kalonji (Nigella), Saunf (Fennel Seeds), Methi (Fenugreek Seeds) and Rai (Black Mustard Seeds) is a speciality of Bengali food.

Hyderabadi cuisine

Hyderabadi Cuisine - is not just one way of cooking. It includes both the original Andhra style of cooking and Mughlai influenced cooking style. Hyderabadi cuisine is known for its richness and aromas. Use of exotic spices along with ghee and dry fruits and nuts can be easily seen in Hyderabadi cuisine. The meat of lamb is widely used in non-vegetarian dishes. Hyderabadi Biryani & haleem is something which is known to everyone.

Goan Cuisine

Goan Cuisine - offers some unique flavours that are totally different from other Indian Cuisine. Delicacies such as the tangy pork ‘vindaloo’, spicy ‘sorpotel’ and the ever popular Goan fish curry with rice treat your palate in the best way possible. Fish based dishes along with coconut are quite well known. Goan meals are often accompanied by local liquor “Feni”. Coconut milk, ‘kokum’, a sour, deep red coloured fruit with sharp and sour flavour, red Goan chillies, tamarind forms important part of many Goan dishes.

Rajasthani Cuisine

Rajasthani Cuisine - Rajasthani food is something incomparable to any other cuisine. The cuisine has been greatly influenced by its geographical situation that is availability of food items in the desert region and historical background. Thus scarcity of water and war like situation has influenced the cuisine to a large extent. For instance, in Rajasthani cuisine, dried lentils and beans from plants like sangri, ker etc. are staples of the Rajasthani diet unlike rest of the country where wheat and rice form the major part of any meal. Spices like fenugreek seeds, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and aniseed, along with asafoetida, black rock salt, ginger and ajwain are extensively used in cooking.

Gujrati Cuisine

Gujrati Cuisine - is one of the the oldest culinary treasures of India and is primarily vegetarian. It offers a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, each with its unique cooking style, different kinds of pickles, farsans, chutneys and foods that are always high on nutritional value. But the real essence of Gujarati food lies in the creative use of everyday vegetables and mild spices. It is an exquisite blend of flavors where sweet notes dominate most dishes like the famous Gujarati Kadhi, Dhokla, Fafda, Aam Shrikhand with Mango Salad, Gujarati Kadhi, Methi Ka Thepla and Gujarati Dal etc. Gujarat's coastal climate is mostly hot and dry which is why the use of sugar, tomatoes and lemon is quite common as these foods keep the body hydrated.

Assamese Cuisine

Assamese Cuisine - The Assamese cuisine is diverse, unique, simple and palatable. The exotic taste of the herbs, rustic feel of the dishes and a distinctive character is what drives the Assamese food. The culinary glory of Assamese traditional cuisine is beyond the stereotypical representation. Much like the geographical diversity of the land, the authentic Assamese dishes are extensive and has its own league in the culinary world. The best part of Assamese food is that the ingredients of these dishes are locally produced. You will find a variety of xaak (leafy vegetables) in every household, especially in the rural areas. The vegetables like Cherry tomatoes, Coriander, Eggplants, variety of green xaak, Chilli, Mint leaves and many more, are locally produced in the kitchen garden of every household. The organic vegetables from the garden help to enhance the taste of the authentic traditional Assamese dishes.

Shashi’s Cooking Classes, Udaipur / Rajasthan

"Cook With The Locals"

Udaipur, a renowned city in Rajasthan, is not only famous for its breathtaking beauty and rich history, but also for its deep-rooted culinary heritage. Enter Shashi, a formidable warrior woman of Udaipur, who offers cooking classes that are infused with wisdom and humor, much like a perfectly balanced seasoning to a delectable meal.

These cooking classes, which span four to five hours each day, provide a solid foundation in the art of Indian cuisine. Shashi will guide you through the preparation of essential Indian dishes, including the aromatic masala chai, crispy pakoras, flaky parathas, tangy chutneys, flavorful vegetable curry, fragrant vegetable pulao, and creamy paneer. With her expertise, you will be able to recreate these mouthwatering delicacies in the comfort of your own home within minutes.

Considered one of the finest cooking instructors in India, Shashi's classes are an opportunity to unlock the secrets behind the heartiness and flavors of Indian food. Her passion for sharing her culinary knowledge is evident in every lesson, as she imparts not only the techniques but also the cultural significance of each dish. By the end of the course, you will not only have acquired new cooking skills but also a deeper appreciation for the rich gastronomic heritage of India.

Spice Paradise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

"Cook With The Locals"

The magic of Indian cuisine lies in its exquisite blend of spices. And what better place to immerse yourself in this spice paradise than Spice Paradise itself? Nestled in the enchanting Blue City of Jodhpur, this hidden gem is renowned for its collection of natural and pure spices. Here, you can discover a treasure trove of flavors, from fiery red chili to aromatic ginger, earthy cumin to fragrant cloves, and piquant pepper to the very best spices India has to offer.

Operated by a passionate husband and wife team, Spice Paradise is not just a spice shop, but a haven for culinary enthusiasts. Their expertise shines through in their special masala chai blend, a concoction that will transport your taste buds to new heights of delight. And if you're eager to unlock the secrets of Indian cooking, look no further. The couple graciously opens the doors of their humble kitchen to conduct immersive Indian cooking classes.