Host offerings
Uma is a South Indian vegetarian who has honed her culinary skills cooking for her extended Indian family for nearly three decades. An expert cook, she says she can convert any diehard non-vegetarian into a vegetable lover. ​Uma lives in the Guindy neighborhood of Chennai, about a 15-min drive from the Chennai airport as you head into the city. Her home is also close to the ITC Grand Chola, Ramada Plaza and Park Hyatt hotels. This is a unique opportunity to visit the home of a local and explore traditional culture and cuisine either when you arrive into Chennai or on your way out!
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 - 4 guests) This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy traditional South Indian cuisine with a creative twist made by a local who lives close to the airport. Uma prepares a delightful array of vegetarian festival foods to give you an insight into Tamilian cuisine and culture. Learn about the symbolism of kolam (rice flour drawings that most Tamilian households have) and about traditional utensils and musical instruments. Join Uma at her dining table to enjoy a vegetarian menu that may include tangerine rasam (a tangy, refreshing broth made with tomatoes, pepper and citrus), beetroot vada (deep fried beetroot and multigrain dumplings), vegetable poriyal (stir-fried vegetables with coconut) and sundal (an absolutely delicious green pea and chickpea salad garnished with coconut and raw mango) accompanied by rice and pickles. Your meal concludes with dessert. Uma serves her food on bio degradable, eco-friendly palm leaf pressed plates. Occasionally, Uma's friend Mala may join you at the table.
Cooking experience (1 - 4 guests) Learn to cook in Uma's kitchen South Indian vegetarian dishes with a creative touch. Start your experience with a visit to her terrace garden where you might pick a few seasonal vegetables or herbs to use in your cooking experience. During your 1.5 hour cooking experience learn to cook 3 dishes. Share the meal you helped prepare at Uma's dining table over conversation about life in South India. Uma includes a variety of healthy and flavorful vegetables in her food in a unique way that you don't typically find elsewhere.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffad676de90>
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 | $1,440 | $1,200 | Not offered |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | $2,640 | $2,200 | Not offered |
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | 11:00am - 01:00pm | 5:00pm - 07:00pm |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 9:00am - 12:00pm | 5:00pm - 08:00pm |
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.
