Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Debjani

Kolkata (Calcutta), India

USD
$30-$70 per person

A traditional Bengali meal using grandmother recipes

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Debjani

Residing in the ‘city of joy', Kolkata, Debjani delights her guests by preparing authentic Bengali dishes that showcase the culture she is very proud of. She earned a Ph.D. in Horticulture, an area which she is extremely passionate about since it makes her feel so in touch with nature. Debjani also developed a love for design and art over the years, which has helped her create luxurious decor and experiences at prestigious hotels. Having spent over 30 years in the hospitality industry with notable groups such as Taj and Oberoi, Debjani loves to host people from all over the world, hear their stories, learn about their cultures, and introduce them to delectable Bengali dishes.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-5 guests) You can enjoy this experience at Debjani’s cozy, artistic apartment situated in Kolkata, which ​​upholds a perfect juxtaposition between the old world and the modern. Debjani uses traditional ingredients and recipes that have been passed down from generations. Her grandmother’s recipe for shukto (traditional mixed vegetables), which is so close to Debjani's heart, is one of the dishes you may try. Debjani is fond of cooking the dishes she grew up eating, using recipes she learned from her mother and grandmother. She will try her best to give you a taste of the diverse flavors of Bengali cuisine. And you will be in for a treat as you join her at the table to share dishes such as begun bhaja (eggplant fritters), shorshe bhapa chingri or maach (steamed prawns or fresh river water fish, in a mustard sauce) or kosha mangsho (mutton curry in a home ground spice mix), which will be cooked in earthen pots. End your meal with must try Bengali sweets - rosogulla (ball-shaped dumplings cooked in light sugar syrup) or rosogolla payesh (sweet milk pudding), served during winter months.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Join Debjani in her kitchen to try your hand at cooking authentic and flavorful Bengali dishes. She uses recipes passed down from her grandmother and presents it in a modern way. You will help Debjani make Bengali masoor dal (lentils), begun bhaja (eggplant fritters) and shorshe bhapa chingri or maach (steamed prawns or fish in a mustard sauce). You can expect your cooking class to last for about 1.5 hours, after which you will be sharing the meal that you prepared with Debjani and her family (when they are home).

Market visit: (1-5 guests) Meet Debjani at her apartment and then drive together for seven minutes to the Lake Market / Jodhpur Park Market. This too good to miss out markets have everything ranging from food to arts and craft, which will surely be a memorable visit! Walk through this bustling market with your host, and stop at her favorite vendors to buy fresh vegetables. After the market tour, head back to Debjani’s apartment for the rest of your experience.

Notes: Debjani can accommodate lactose-free and vegetarian diets, on request. Please indicate your preference when creating a booking online.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Bengali

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Steamed rice
  • Bengali masoor dal (lentils)
  • Begun bhaja (eggplant fritters)
  • Shorshe bhapa chingri or maach (steamed prawns or fish in a mustard sauce)
  • ​Shukto (traditional mixed vegetables)
  • Rosogulla (ball-shaped dumplings cooked in light sugar syrup) or rosogolla payesh (sweet milk pudding)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
First I must thank Debjani, for welcoming us into her home and making us feel so comfortable. We spent the afternoon learning to cook some Bengali traditional dishes. Debjani and her assistant did so of the preparation before so we could make some delicious dishes that we would not of be able to make in the time we had for the class. I learned so much about the different herb and spices that go into Bengali cuisine. So if you want to learn about India cuisine you should consider looking into this class. You will love it.. I can’t wait to try and make some of the dishes we made for my family back home.
- Jill_J February 14, 2024
The cooking class with Debjani was my absolute favourite part of visiting Kolkata! I went for a lunchtime class, along with the market tour—here are some of my highlights: - Debjani was such a lovely host! She made me feel really comfortable immediately and had so many interesting stories about her life, the food, and Kolkata - Her apartment is beautiful! It's a love letter to Kolkata, full of tasteful pieces of art, all of which have fascinating origins - The market tour was my favourite part of the whole day. We drove down to a nearby farmer's market and tried and bought lots of super fresh and unique ingredients—most of which I had never seen before. We also went to a classic Kolkata fish market with some of the freshest seafood I've seen - Debjani also drove me around that area of Kolkata and gave me a lot of background and stories about the different parts of the city. We stopped by an iconic tea stall and got chai and snacks too! - The cooking was so much fun—Debjani had planned five or six separate dishes and some of the prep (like overnight marination and mise en place) had already been done to make things a bit smoother - Everything was incredibly tasty and there were lots of dishes that I had never heard of before but will definitely be making again! It ended up being a full afternoon and the whole experience gave me a view into Kolkata that I would have completely missed if I just did all the touristy spots. I'd highly recommend the class for anyone who is interested in food, history, architecture, or Bengali culture!
- 762arn December 12, 2023
25a09304 82a6 43b7 a009 991662676d85

Debjani

$30-$70 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $40 $34 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $56 $44 Not offered
Market Tour + Meal
 $56 $44 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $70 $64 Not offered
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $40 $34 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $56 $44 Not offered
Market Tour + Meal
 $56 $44 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $70 $64 Not offered
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Meal
 9:00am-12:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Debjani

Residing in the ‘city of joy', Kolkata, Debjani delights her guests by preparing authentic Bengali dishes that showcase the culture she is very proud of. She earned a Ph.D. in Horticulture, an area which she is extremely passionate about since it makes her feel so in touch with nature. Debjani also developed a love for design and art over the years, which has helped her create luxurious decor and experiences at prestigious hotels. Having spent over 30 years in the hospitality industry with notable groups such as Taj and Oberoi, Debjani loves to host people from all over the world, hear their stories, learn about their cultures, and introduce them to delectable Bengali dishes.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-5 guests) You can enjoy this experience at Debjani’s cozy, artistic apartment situated in Kolkata, which ​​upholds a perfect juxtaposition between the old world and the modern. Debjani uses traditional ingredients and recipes that have been passed down from generations. Her grandmother’s recipe for shukto (traditional mixed vegetables), which is so close to Debjani's heart, is one of the dishes you may try. Debjani is fond of cooking the dishes she grew up eating, using recipes she learned from her mother and grandmother. She will try her best to give you a taste of the diverse flavors of Bengali cuisine. And you will be in for a treat as you join her at the table to share dishes such as begun bhaja (eggplant fritters), shorshe bhapa chingri or maach (steamed prawns or fresh river water fish, in a mustard sauce) or kosha mangsho (mutton curry in a home ground spice mix), which will be cooked in earthen pots. End your meal with must try Bengali sweets - rosogulla (ball-shaped dumplings cooked in light sugar syrup) or rosogolla payesh (sweet milk pudding), served during winter months.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Join Debjani in her kitchen to try your hand at cooking authentic and flavorful Bengali dishes. She uses recipes passed down from her grandmother and presents it in a modern way. You will help Debjani make Bengali masoor dal (lentils), begun bhaja (eggplant fritters) and shorshe bhapa chingri or maach (steamed prawns or fish in a mustard sauce). You can expect your cooking class to last for about 1.5 hours, after which you will be sharing the meal that you prepared with Debjani and her family (when they are home).

Market visit: (1-5 guests) Meet Debjani at her apartment and then drive together for seven minutes to the Lake Market / Jodhpur Park Market. This too good to miss out markets have everything ranging from food to arts and craft, which will surely be a memorable visit! Walk through this bustling market with your host, and stop at her favorite vendors to buy fresh vegetables. After the market tour, head back to Debjani’s apartment for the rest of your experience.

Notes: Debjani can accommodate lactose-free and vegetarian diets, on request. Please indicate your preference when creating a booking online.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Bengali

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Steamed rice
  • Bengali masoor dal (lentils)
  • Begun bhaja (eggplant fritters)
  • Shorshe bhapa chingri or maach (steamed prawns or fish in a mustard sauce)
  • ​Shukto (traditional mixed vegetables)
  • Rosogulla (ball-shaped dumplings cooked in light sugar syrup) or rosogolla payesh (sweet milk pudding)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
First I must thank Debjani, for welcoming us into her home and making us feel so comfortable. We spent the afternoon learning to cook some Bengali traditional dishes. Debjani and her assistant did so of the preparation before so we could make some delicious dishes that we would not of be able to make in the time we had for the class. I learned so much about the different herb and spices that go into Bengali cuisine. So if you want to learn about India cuisine you should consider looking into this class. You will love it.. I can’t wait to try and make some of the dishes we made for my family back home.
- Jill_J February 14, 2024
The cooking class with Debjani was my absolute favourite part of visiting Kolkata! I went for a lunchtime class, along with the market tour—here are some of my highlights: - Debjani was such a lovely host! She made me feel really comfortable immediately and had so many interesting stories about her life, the food, and Kolkata - Her apartment is beautiful! It's a love letter to Kolkata, full of tasteful pieces of art, all of which have fascinating origins - The market tour was my favourite part of the whole day. We drove down to a nearby farmer's market and tried and bought lots of super fresh and unique ingredients—most of which I had never seen before. We also went to a classic Kolkata fish market with some of the freshest seafood I've seen - Debjani also drove me around that area of Kolkata and gave me a lot of background and stories about the different parts of the city. We stopped by an iconic tea stall and got chai and snacks too! - The cooking was so much fun—Debjani had planned five or six separate dishes and some of the prep (like overnight marination and mise en place) had already been done to make things a bit smoother - Everything was incredibly tasty and there were lots of dishes that I had never heard of before but will definitely be making again! It ended up being a full afternoon and the whole experience gave me a view into Kolkata that I would have completely missed if I just did all the touristy spots. I'd highly recommend the class for anyone who is interested in food, history, architecture, or Bengali culture!
- 762arn December 12, 2023
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $40 $34 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $56 $44 Not offered
Market Tour + Meal
 $56 $44 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $70 $64 Not offered
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $40 $34 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $56 $44 Not offered
Market Tour + Meal
 $56 $44 $40
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $70 $64 Not offered
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Meal
 9:00am-12:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.