“Namaste, I am Anita. I am a cook, a teacher, and a storyteller, but above all, I am someone who believes that the kitchen is the heart of the home. My journey with food began long before I stepped into a professional kitchen; it began with a Masala Dabba and a passion for the vibrant, honest flavours of my heritage. I created Hobby Cooks to be a place where I can share that passion with you, helping you find joy and confidence in every pinch of spice.”
“In my motherland, we were taught that the kitchen is the heart of the home and the first place we go for healing. We don’t just use spices for heat; we use them for their ancient, restorative powers. From the anti-inflammatory glow of turmeric to the digestive grace of ginger, cardamom, and fennel, my cooking is rooted in the belief that what we eat should fuel our mind, body, and soul.
At Hobby Cooks, I fuse these time-honoured Indian traditions with fresh, modern produce. When we add a generous sprinkle of goodness—vibrant herbs and honest ingredients—we aren’t just making a meal; we are practicing a form of wellness that has been passed down through generations.”
“I grew up in Bangalore, India—the ‘Garden City’ known for its lush greenery and a lifestyle that beautifully blended colonial history with deep-rooted traditions. My childhood was defined by the aromas of home cooking. In those days, dining out was a rare treat reserved only for special occasions; instead, we cooked from scratch every single day. In India, we say that cooking is in our blood—our family histories aren’t found in books, but are passed down through the senses, from one generation to the next, through the recipes we share at the family table.”
I can vividly remember that our windows in our tiny kitchen overlooked our neighbours, where the aromas of ginger and spiced Morning tea brewing, the clutter of vessels which often woke the household and navigated them to the kitchen space.
The hustle and bustle of busy days often started with conversations about menu planning for the day, a shopping trip and a list to the market!
A daily project for moms and the comforting home food we all loved having: a tempered dhal & Rice, complemented with salad, vegetables and a heart-warming plate of freshly made Curry & flatbreads!
The tantalising flavours of the herbs and spices often soothed the tired mind and body after I got back home from college. Those moments felt like I was transported to a land where I was comfortable, and I knew that I would always want that feeling about food no matter where I was.
My mother taught me the basics of cooking long before culinary school ever did, without me realising it. I would often watch her sitting and absorbing her actions and the feast she would create from a few ingredients, and the care and attention she took preparing our meals.
It wasn’t until later in my life, when I myself became a wife and mother, that I realised how much love, nurture and care one can express through cooking for others.
“I’ve always believed that food is a bridge. It’s a way for us to truly inspire one another—not just through recipes, but through our personal journeys, our histories, and the global flavours we explore together. The name ‘Hobby Cooks’ was born quite naturally from my own dining table; it came from the many food stories and ‘cooking conversations’ I shared while entertaining family and friends. My mission is to champion the idea of cooking as a beloved hobby—the kind where you eagerly step into the kitchen to create something wonderful and build lasting memories through the simple act of preparing a meal.”
“While my heart is in the home kitchen, my foundation is built on professional craft. In 2015, I trained as a professional Chef, followed by a series of restaurant stints that sharpened my skills. However, I soon realized my true joy lay in teaching and sharing. I began giving demos at food festivals and guest teaching at cookery schools, which eventually grew into this full-time opportunity to translate my food stories into original recipes. Today, I teach authentic Indian cookery from my kitchen in Northampton, fusing traditional heritage with modern techniques. My goal is to give every food enthusiast the skills, techniques, and ‘spice confidence’ to create exciting, healthy, and accessible food in their own home.”
“My greatest inspiration remains the people and places that shaped my hands. I am inspired by the memory of my mother crushing spices in a mortar and pestle, and by the way a simple bowl of dhal could bring an entire room of people together in silence and satisfaction. I am inspired by the vibrant markets of India and the seasonal produce of the British countryside. Most of all, I am inspired by you—my students and guests—and the moment I see your face light up when you realize that you, too, can create magic in the kitchen.”
Cooking Indian food is classified as elaborate, with no known recipes recorded; sound or taste the same. Everyone has their secrets and are hardly shared!! but I can tell you it’s big on flavour, requires a bit of patience and once you master it you will soon be making your own creations.
Food Styling and Photography happened to me as I enjoyed having the camera in my hands and the rest is by trial and practice. This blog is a space where my passion and creativity blend together to share some beautiful memories and cooking experiences with you all.
My Recipes: These are inspirations drawn from some unsung chefs, the places I’ve been, the food I’ve tasted, and the experiences not heard of. Everyone and anyone can eat and try this, and food is all about keeping it simple and enjoying simplicity and this brings joy to my heart with food on my plate.
BTW! My recipes have the seal of approval from my friends and family who have tried and tasted it!
