Host offerings
Sundari is a cheerful host whose easy laugh will instantly make you feel at home in her in-laws converted home surrounded by fruit trees and filled with traditional art and decor. Sundari has been cooking since she was eight – she even cooked on her own coal stove as her mother prepared meals for her family. She delights in sharing her South Indian culinary and cultural traditions with guests.
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 - 8 guests) Enjoy a traditional South Indian vegetarian meal that you will eat with your hands on stainless steel plates or fresh banana leaves (if seasonally available). Flavors center around mustard, chilies, coconut, sour tamarind extract and native fruits and vegetables. Menu may include typical South Indian Tamilian dishes such as rasam (peppery soup of lentils and spices made with lemons, tomatoes or tamarind), sambar (lentil and tamarind based vegetable stew), kuzhambu (a tangy and spicy South Indian specialty flavored by sun-dried vegetables), vegetable curry, kootu (a special dish made of vegetables, lentils and coconut), rice, raita, appalams (also known as pappadams) and a spread of Indian condiments and snacks. Your meal concludes with South Indian filter coffee, a specialty coffee drink made by mixing frothed and boiled milk with the decoction obtained by brewing finely ground coffee powder in a traditional Indian filter.
Cooking experience (1 - 8 guests) During your cooking class in Chennai learn to cook 4-5 dishes, part of a South Indian vegetarian meal that you will eat with your hands on stainless steel plates or fresh banana leaves. Menu may include typical Tamilian vegetarian main dishes such as rasam (tangy peppery broth), sambar (lentil and tamarind based vegetable stew), and a variety of vegetable curries, rice, raita, condiments and snacks. Alternatively you may request to learn to make a South Indian brunch of dosas, idlis and vadas with a variety of chutneys instead.
Market visit (1 - 8 guests) Begin your experience with a warm welcome and a tour of Sundari’s home, followed by an introduction to the delicious South Indian dishes you’ll be preparing. Next, join Sundari in her kitchen to learn hands-on how to prepare a traditional South Indian vegetarian meal, which you’ll enjoy together. After your cooking class and meal, stroll to the nearby Sastri Nagar neighborhood supermarket, where Sundari regularly shops. Here, she will guide you through the vibrant array of South Indian spices, fresh produce, and essential condiments, offering insights into their uses and significance in local cuisine. She can also help you purchase any spices you want to take home.
Please note: This experience includes a visit to a neighborhood supermarket rather than an open market. Due to traffic and the bustling nature of roadside vendors, the open market has become increasingly difficult to navigate, making the supermarket a more convenient and immersive option.
Notes: Sundari only serves vegetarian food as she is a Tamil Brahmin who only eats vegetarian. If you join Sundari for dinner or anytime on the weekend, her husband, Krishna, will join you. He is a foodie who loves meeting new people. <br><br> If you book a "weekday" cooking class and lunch, your experience begins 1 hour later at noon.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007f9c5c4ca478>
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.
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | $1,750 | $1,750 | $1,750 |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | 12:30pm - 02:30pm | 5:00pm - 07:00pm |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 12:30pm - 03:30pm | 5:00pm - 08:00pm |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | 9:00am - 02:00pm | 4:00pm - 09:00pm |
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.
