JOURNEY
At the age of seven, I left my grandfather’s house in India with my mother, sister and brother to join my father in the UK who had arrived 2 years earlier to further his medical studies.
It was a cold, alien country in which we found great comfort in the food my mother prepared every day from back “home”, an explosion of mouth-watering flavours and aromas which ignited all our senses.
Each summer as school finished for 6 wonderful weeks, we would return to India and immerse ourselves back in the hustle and bustle of living in households where so many people and generations lived together. Mornings would start with the ladies chatting over a cup of “cha” as they waited for the early morning bags of fresh groceries to arrive from the local bazaar. Then began the task of cooking fragrant and hearty dishes rich in the flavours of the Bengali cuisine. Home cooking was the heart and soul of our family.
Back in England, I would watch my mother intently recreating from memory the same dishes we had eaten back in India with my father driving for miles to find Indian grocery shops to buy all the different spices. As a young teenager I became passionate about cooking my mother’s dishes and as I watched her cook each one, I wrote down step by step each receipe in a journal.
After graduation, I moved from Preston to Oxford to pursue a career in business management but I never lost my passion for traditional Indian cooking, continuing to prepare the same wonderful food my mother made for my own family and friends.
INSPIRATION
Over the years I found that after tasting my home-cooked dishes there was an eagerness in friends to learn how to cook authentic Indian food. The concept of “In Anita’s Kitchen” started over 20 years ago when I decided to teach Indian cookery at evening classes and provide tastings and demonstrations at fundraising events in my children’s school. It was at events like these I realised that my passion was mirrored by many who attended the demonstrations.
Now in 2022, I am finally able to live my dream of working from home sharing that passion for cooking with so many new friends. I invite small groups of 4 to 8 guests to my home kitchen in Kirtlington, Oxfordshire to watch me demonstrate how to cook the dishes and then enjoy eating them together in a relaxed and convivial setting.
Anita's Private Indian Supper Clubs - A Unique Dining Experience in Oxfordshire
Anita's Private Indian Supper Clubs offer a wonderful opportunity for groups of 4 to 8 guests to come together and enjoy authentic Indian home cooking in a relaxed, welcoming and intimate setting.
Whether you're spending time with family, catching up with friends or enjoying an evening with work colleagues, Anita's Kitchen provides the perfect space to unwind, share good food and enjoy each other's company, away from everyday distractions.
Wednesday Shared Supper Clubs
If you'd prefer to meet new people, Anita also hosts Wednesday Shared Supper Clubs. These sociable evenings bring together 6 to 8 guests, all with a shared love of Indian food.
Come along with a partner or friend, or simply book a place on your own. It's a lovely opportunity to meet like-minded people, enjoy wonderful food and experience something a little different.
Contact Anita for forthcoming dates and availability.
A Unique Indian Food Experience
At both types of supper club, Anita prepares the dishes in real time in front of you. Sit back with a drink, relax and watch as each dish comes together step by step. Enjoy the sights, aromas and wonderful flavours of freshly prepared Indian food, made using authentic family recipes and traditional cooking techniques. Every evening is an experience to savour, making Anita's Private Indian Supper Clubs an ideal gift or a special way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other occasion. Special celebrations can also be arranged with prior notice.
For returning guests, there's always something new to discover, with different dishes featured at each event. However, if you have a particular favourite from a previous visit, Anita will be happy to accommodate requests where possible.
Take a Little Taste of India Home
Enjoy cooking yourself? Simply message Anita after your visit and she will happily email you the recipes, so you can recreate some of your favourite dishes at home. No need to take notes during the evening!
Discover authentic Indian and Bengali home cooking at Anita's Kitchen, Kirtlington, Oxfordshire – where wonderful food, good company and warm Indian hospitality come together.
A Selection of My Dishes
Private Indian Supper Clubs
Book your own private event with family and friends or join a Wednesday supper club and enjoy an evening meeting new people over delicious Indian food.