About
I was born and brought up in Kerala, the spice capital of India. From a young age, I was interested in cooking and spent hours experimenting in my mother’s kitchen.
I studied Home Management and Nutrition and gained a master’s degree with Honours. In 1988 I moved to Japan. Whilst doing research at Hiroshima University, I worked in a local restaurant and learnt the intricacies of Japanese and Oriental cooking. I turned my passion for cooking into a career by conducting cookery classes and spice workshops in cultural centres. In addition, I presented several cookery shows on local TV.
In 1999 my husband’s work led us to relocate to Singapore. Here I continued to conduct regular cooking classes for the local and expatriate community. My knowledge of Oriental and Southeast Asian food further developed during my five year stay in Singapore.
Finally, in 2005 we were relocated to London. Here I was delighted to be able to study at the prestigious French culinary institute Le Cordon Bleu London whilst simultaneously conducting cookery classes. I obtained a Grand Diploma, often called the passport to the culinary world. It was an intensive and comprehensive programme in classic French culinary techniques combining the Diploma de Cuisine and Diploma de Patisserie. I enjoyed every moment of the course and the professional training I gained there has been indispensable.
My cookbook “Vegetarian – The Taste of South India” is packed with simple South Indian style recipes that are easy to replicate. It was chosen as the best vegetarian cookbook from India in 2012 by “Gourmand World Cookbook Awards”. I am additionally honoured to be a member of The Guild of Food Writers.
My food photography work has been shortlisted for the world’s prestigious “Food Photographer of the Year” awards in 2017 and 2018.
I frequently organize bespoke culinary events and cookery lessons in London and Mumbai for food enthusiasts, home cooks and professionals alike. I am always extremely proud to hear that my original recipes live in many households around the world.
Food has been a lifelong journey of exploration, experimentation and innovation for me, and I firmly believe that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Simple flavours that are put together with care and love can create wonders on our palates and that is what I cook, teach and write.
Manju
Keep cooking cheffie! 🙂
Thanks Nick.
Good work Itha…
We are waiting for ur next visit to India to taste ur culinary arts
Thanks dear…
Awesome going, Aunty. 🙂
Keep the ‘tunes’ flowing. 😉
wooow !! pleasantly surprised !!! 😉 cant wait for ALL the recipes !! 😉 going to be hooked on to this site !!!
Nilu, please let me know how it turns out.
Manjutha,
Awesome! All The Best
Thank’s Shamil….
What a lovely blog Manjutha! I love how dainty those rhubarb jelly panna cottas look, and I’m sure they taste even better. Looking forward to seeing more of your dessert recipes 🙂
Thanks Nadia,will definitly post more dessert recipes…
Wonderful blog ,Manju.
Anju, Thank you so much for visiting and for your good words.
Mom and I are so glad we found you’re blog! we’ve been talking a lot about it today- I can’t wait to try the panna cotta, she can’t wait to try the plum cake 🙂
Thank you so much for visiting my page and for you sweet words. Hope the recipes come out well.
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I blog also and I’m creating a little something alike to this specific post, “About | manjuskitchen”.
Would you mind in cases where I reallymake use of
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No problem Ira, Looking forward to your blog….
I pay a visit each day a few web sites and information sites to
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I am not a Chef… not yet 🙂 but I like your site. Well done!
Thank you
Hi Manju! Thank you for following my blog 🙂 I’m glad to have ‘found’ your blog. Kerala, Japan, Singapore & London. Wow! You must have had such amazing food experiences! I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in Singapore. Like you, I dream of going to Le Cordon Bleu. Looking forward to visiting your site more:
Hi Vasun. Thank you so much for stopping in my space. I love Singapore especially the food. You are very lucky to live there.
You have got great recipes and beautiful photos in your blog and I am glad I found you too.Look forward to seeing more from you in the future 🙂
Do you happen to have the receipe of the Tropical cheesecake composed of Fromage Blanc, mango mousse, mango gelee and basil sponge at Hidemi Sugino, Toky
Sorry Emiel. I don’t have the recipe for that mousse cake.
OK it’s a pitty it lookd delicious and refreching and above all original. Anyway, today I made the Rhubarb Jelly (with Panna Cotta). I’m very interested in colorful and original pastries & desserts
I am glad to hear you tried the Rhubarb jelly with Panna Cotta recipe from my blog. I will defiantly post more interesting original pastries and dessert recipes. Have a nice day.
Your recipes are so dependable…I enjoy making them time and over.
So happy to hear that Rabina. Thank you.