Catering to Chennaiites love for cooking

One aspect that binds every Chennaiite is food. Even though we can master the art of cooking through the internet, nothing comes close to learning it from experts. Interestingly, there are many cooking classes in the city that teach Thai, Chinese, Lebanese and some lip-smacking cakes. Frangipani Culinary Expressions, Reema’s Swad Cooking Classes, Sam’s Culinary Art Class and Kitchen E Lazeez are the top four cooking centres/classes in the city.

Piyus Arya and his mother Rajshree Arya started Frangipani Culinary Expressions because of their passion for food. The duo used to teach various cuisines, but now they are inviting cooking professionals to take classes. “Initially, when we took Italian food workshop, people used to ask us why we were doing this? But things have changed. So far, we have organised Lebanese, Mexican, Thai, Japanese and Chinese food making classes. Before people were happy with sambar rice or curd rice. But now we have a lot of multi-cuisine restaurants in the city. People prefer having the same food at home rather than eating outside.”

There are two sections of people who come to Frangipani — some wanted to start a home baking enterprise and another section learns for its personal need. “We have had 60 years old coming and learning various bread from us. They wanted to bake for their grandchildren.” 

Vahitha Jeevanandam quit her profession as an assistant professor and started Sam’s Culinary Art Class a couple of years ago. “I love cooking and also experiment with various dishes. Slowly, I got interested in organising classes. I have my own syllabus and have produced 180 students among whom was a special student, aged 64, from Holland, who learned our traditional tiffin varieties. I also teach Mediterranean, Continental and Chinese food making.”

One interesting aspect of Vahitha’s class is that she teaches the students the origin of the dish and science behind preparing food. “People should have thorough knowledge about the food they are consuming. I also source materials for the classes from local markets and other dealers instead of importing.”

Reema V Jain started Reema’s Swad Cooking Classes by doing basic cakes at home for her family and friends. “My passion to learn, continuously keep trying new things and the strong support from my family has helped me to start my initiative. I have had a 70-year-old granny who had come to learn cake baking and frosting and subsequently had learned many other courses. This was so inspiring and truly age is just a number and learning never stops. This is also a message to all the readers that never think you are too old to learn. It is the passion and eagerness that matter the most,” says Reema, who specialises in teaching Thai, Mexican and Italian dessert varieties. 

Aliya Sajid of Kitchen E Lazeez conducts classes on making Italian, Chinese and Mexican dishes. “Most people come to my classes expecting to learn the way a particular dish is prepared at the restaurant. And I try and teach them the same. Apart from Chennaiites, people from other states also contact me for classes,” she says.