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Host: Kaushik

Mumbai (Bombay), India

USD
$24-$44 per person

South Indian, Tamil Brahmin culinary experience in Lower Parel

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

Meet Kaushik

Kaushik’s job in the Indian Railways gave him the opportunity to travel often and that is when he developed his passion for food, cooking and meeting new people. He grew up in a typical Tamil Brahmin family and then married into a South Indian Madhwa Brahmin family, providing an ideal blend of cuisine from both cultures. Kaushik learned to cook from his mother and his wife. As an avid traveler and home-cook, Kaushik is excited to meet travelers and share a traditional Indian culinary experience.

Curious to know more? Please watch this video created by a traveler, who took a cooking experience with Kaushik and his wife! https://www.instagram.com/tv/B5rfES6DMbb/?igshid=1u9xl0vgd87ue

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: (1-6 guests) Kaushik lives in Lower Parel, a highly sought-after neighborhood in south Mumbai. He is excited to share not just his food but also his culinary customs and traditions. You will be greeted in a traditional way with flowers, kukum, rose water and a special welcome smoothie. Then sit down at the dinning table to share a South Indian home-cooked meal together, served in the traditional fashion on banana leaves. A few dishes that you might try are raw banana cutlets, green peas sundal (green peas stir fried with coconut and spices), sambar (a vegetable based stew cooked with lentils in a tamarind water) or vatha kuzhambu (a tamarind based gravy cooked with turkey berries and spices), a seasonal vegetable dish, rice, papad and curd. End you meal with a dessert such as fruit pachadi (chopped fruits mixed with honey) and tea or coffee.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) In your Mumbai cooking class learn to cook a traditional, healthy South Indian meal. You will learn more about ingredients and cooking methods used to cook a Tamil Brahmin meal. During your 1-hour class, help Kaushik to cook 3 dishes that you will be eating later. You may learn to make raw banana cutlets, vatha kuzhambu (a tamarind based gravy cooked with turkey berries and spices), and a seasonal vegetable dish.

Notes: Please note that as with many South Indian families, Bhagyalatha and Kaushik offer only vegetarian food. They are also happy to prepare vegan or gluten-free meals upon request.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Marathi

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.
  • Raw banana cutlets
  • Green peas sundal (green pea stir fried with coconut and spices)
  • Sambar (a vegetable based stew cooked with lentils in a tamarind water) or Vatha kuzhambu (a tamarind based gravy cooked with turkey berries and spices)
  • A seasonal vegetable dish
  • Rice, papad and curd
  • Selection of fresh fruit
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

The host, Bhagyalatha, was warm and put a lot of effort in making the experience exciting and unique. She decorated the house with flowers, ornaments that would have been used in the kitchen, prayer room, or in ceremonies. We started the meal with a healthy and delicious oats milkshake. Which I have tried at home and will continue to do so. Then we moved on to the cooking experience which included raw banana cutlets, vatha kuzhambu, and beans and dal palya. Latha explained the history and ingredients behind every dish which made the cooking experience more engaging and fun!! After all the hard work, we sat down to have an elaborate south Indian meal, in style, on a banana leaf. It was laid out in the same way it would have in a ceremony or a celebration. I enjoyed most of the dishes and ate till I just couldn't anymore! All this while we talked about our traveling experiences, families, politics... etc. The Vatha kuzhambu was my favorite thing that I ate!! It was a simple, staple food but spectacular. I would recommend this experience to anyone who wants an authentic, fun and homely experience into south India.

Anagha, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
Fun! Excellent attentive teacher. We even had the privilege of being able to do the shopping for the class with Kaushik. I learned a lot about Indian flavors and foods. I highly recommend this class.
- Jill March 21, 2021
We met Kaushuk and his wife at the Ghandi Market as they suggested. They showed us around- had us sample Indian snacks and bought us fresh fruit drinks. We had wanted to observe how they chose and purchased some ingredients for the meal. So we got to do that. Then they drove us to their home. There was a welcome sign for us at the door and as we came through the door they splashed rose water on us and put a red mark on my forehead. It was a very welcoming experience. The apartment is very nice. On to the cooking. Kaushuk served us very excellent home made chai. He explained how he made it. My husband who loves chai said it was great! Then there were trays of sample ingredients all set up. Kaushuk and his wife went over each ingredient. Very helpful and it was so nice that they had it all set up. Then on to cooking. We observed and took part in many aspects of the cooking. It was fascinating . Kaushuk and his wife very patiently answered our many many questions all evening. Time to eat!! The meal was delicious and it was served as a lovely traditional tali. This whole experience was wonderful! I am so glad that I got to do it.
- quiettraveler2016 February 07, 2020
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Kaushik

$24-$44 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $32 $28 $24
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $44 $40 Not offered
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $32 $28 $24
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $44 $40 Not offered
*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

Meet Kaushik

Kaushik’s job in the Indian Railways gave him the opportunity to travel often and that is when he developed his passion for food, cooking and meeting new people. He grew up in a typical Tamil Brahmin family and then married into a South Indian Madhwa Brahmin family, providing an ideal blend of cuisine from both cultures. Kaushik learned to cook from his mother and his wife. As an avid traveler and home-cook, Kaushik is excited to meet travelers and share a traditional Indian culinary experience.

Curious to know more? Please watch this video created by a traveler, who took a cooking experience with Kaushik and his wife! https://www.instagram.com/tv/B5rfES6DMbb/?igshid=1u9xl0vgd87ue

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: (1-6 guests) Kaushik lives in Lower Parel, a highly sought-after neighborhood in south Mumbai. He is excited to share not just his food but also his culinary customs and traditions. You will be greeted in a traditional way with flowers, kukum, rose water and a special welcome smoothie. Then sit down at the dinning table to share a South Indian home-cooked meal together, served in the traditional fashion on banana leaves. A few dishes that you might try are raw banana cutlets, green peas sundal (green peas stir fried with coconut and spices), sambar (a vegetable based stew cooked with lentils in a tamarind water) or vatha kuzhambu (a tamarind based gravy cooked with turkey berries and spices), a seasonal vegetable dish, rice, papad and curd. End you meal with a dessert such as fruit pachadi (chopped fruits mixed with honey) and tea or coffee.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) In your Mumbai cooking class learn to cook a traditional, healthy South Indian meal. You will learn more about ingredients and cooking methods used to cook a Tamil Brahmin meal. During your 1-hour class, help Kaushik to cook 3 dishes that you will be eating later. You may learn to make raw banana cutlets, vatha kuzhambu (a tamarind based gravy cooked with turkey berries and spices), and a seasonal vegetable dish.

Notes: Please note that as with many South Indian families, Bhagyalatha and Kaushik offer only vegetarian food. They are also happy to prepare vegan or gluten-free meals upon request.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Marathi

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.
  • Raw banana cutlets
  • Green peas sundal (green pea stir fried with coconut and spices)
  • Sambar (a vegetable based stew cooked with lentils in a tamarind water) or Vatha kuzhambu (a tamarind based gravy cooked with turkey berries and spices)
  • A seasonal vegetable dish
  • Rice, papad and curd
  • Selection of fresh fruit
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

The host, Bhagyalatha, was warm and put a lot of effort in making the experience exciting and unique. She decorated the house with flowers, ornaments that would have been used in the kitchen, prayer room, or in ceremonies. We started the meal with a healthy and delicious oats milkshake. Which I have tried at home and will continue to do so. Then we moved on to the cooking experience which included raw banana cutlets, vatha kuzhambu, and beans and dal palya. Latha explained the history and ingredients behind every dish which made the cooking experience more engaging and fun!! After all the hard work, we sat down to have an elaborate south Indian meal, in style, on a banana leaf. It was laid out in the same way it would have in a ceremony or a celebration. I enjoyed most of the dishes and ate till I just couldn't anymore! All this while we talked about our traveling experiences, families, politics... etc. The Vatha kuzhambu was my favorite thing that I ate!! It was a simple, staple food but spectacular. I would recommend this experience to anyone who wants an authentic, fun and homely experience into south India.

Anagha, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (2)
Fun! Excellent attentive teacher. We even had the privilege of being able to do the shopping for the class with Kaushik. I learned a lot about Indian flavors and foods. I highly recommend this class.
- Jill March 21, 2021
We met Kaushuk and his wife at the Ghandi Market as they suggested. They showed us around- had us sample Indian snacks and bought us fresh fruit drinks. We had wanted to observe how they chose and purchased some ingredients for the meal. So we got to do that. Then they drove us to their home. There was a welcome sign for us at the door and as we came through the door they splashed rose water on us and put a red mark on my forehead. It was a very welcoming experience. The apartment is very nice. On to the cooking. Kaushuk served us very excellent home made chai. He explained how he made it. My husband who loves chai said it was great! Then there were trays of sample ingredients all set up. Kaushuk and his wife went over each ingredient. Very helpful and it was so nice that they had it all set up. Then on to cooking. We observed and took part in many aspects of the cooking. It was fascinating . Kaushuk and his wife very patiently answered our many many questions all evening. Time to eat!! The meal was delicious and it was served as a lovely traditional tali. This whole experience was wonderful! I am so glad that I got to do it.
- quiettraveler2016 February 07, 2020
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $32 $28 $24
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $44 $40 Not offered
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $32 $28 $24
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $44 $40 Not offered
*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
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.