Host offerings
Attention to detail is Jyashree's signature cooking talent. She still follows the traditional way of cooking and uses authentic, traditional vessels and organic country vegetables to prepare South Indian Iyer cuisine, which is vegetarian by definition. Her ammamma (mother's mother) taught her that the smallest detail has the ability to elevate simple, everyday dishes to the level of masterpieces. Jyashree would watch as her grandmother prepared gulab jamuns, an elaborate dessert that requires hours of patience and skill, from scratch and as she steamed idlis (a simple traditional South Indian breakfast staple) to perfection. Her grandmother would line the idli batter with homespun muslin cloth to give it an extra texture, the kind of additional detail that has long been abandoned by most cooks for the sake of efficiency. Jyashree focuses on these small touches to bring an extra element of care and refinement to her cooking. <br><br> She says, "Now when I cook, I don't just use her years of experience and favorite earthen pots that have passed down from generation to generation in the household, I also think "what would ammamma do?" And so when you sit at my dining table, I'd like to think you'll meet some part of her too - a feisty feminist and homemaker whose way of life shaped me in her mold." <br><br> Jyashree lives in a comfortable home with her husband and their three beloved dogs. They look forward to welcoming you to their table and sharing their South Indian culture and cuisine with their guests. <br><br> "Food in my house is not just something we eat - it is a central part of our life and relationships."
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 - 15 guests) Jyashree prepares a traditional South Indian Iyer sapaad, a vegetarian Tamil Brahmin spread consisting of a wide variety of dishes all prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients and served on a banana leaf. You'll taste dishes such as sambar (lentil and tamarind based stew with country vegetables), rasam (peppery soup of puréed tomatoes, spices, and tamarind or lemon), vegetable poriyal (sautéed vegetables with regional spices and freshly grated coconut), moorkuzhmbu (spicy yogurt gravy with coconut, red chilies, mango and curry leaves), and a vegetable roast (either potato, cauliflower or colacassia, marinated in spices and fried to golden brown perfection).
The meal is accompanied by rice and handmade dosas (crispy South Indian crepes). You will also sample Jyashree's homemade pickles and chutneys, which vary based on the seasons, such as lime and tender mango pickle, sweet and sour mango pickle, dhal (chutney made of red chilies, garlic and grated coconut) or her green tomato, chili and garlic chutney.
End with a homemade sweet, perhaps her badam kheer (a creamy, cold dessert made of ground almonds, milk and saffron) or a payasam (dessert made from milk or coconut milk, sugar or jaggery, mixed with tender coconuts, bananas or jackfruit).
Cooking experience (1 - 15 guests) Join Jyashree in her kitchen where she will teach you to prepare a variety of rices, a vegetable poriyal (sautéed vegetables with spices) and a rasam (a peppery soup that is an essential element to the South Indian Iyer sapaad), the basics of a typical South Indian meal. You can expect the cooking lesson to last about 1-2 hours before you share the meal you helped prepare which will include additional dishes Jyashree prepared in advance. if you wish to learn how to make dosas or appams or anything else in particular, please let Jyashree know in advance so that she can be prepared.
Market visit (1 - 15 guests) Meet Jyashree at her home and after a drink and snack, drive together to the local market. Explore the local vegetable, fruit and flower vendors' stalls, learn about the different varieties of regional produce, and get a feel for the local neighborhood Unlike a typical market, this is more of a neighborhood street market experience where you will see everyday local life. Please note that the street may be uneven and chaotic so wear comfortable footwear.
Notes: Jyashree only serves vegetarian food.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffacd0db860>
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
We were greeted by Jyashree’s husband and were taken upstairs to their living area. The house was very well maintained and was full of Hindu tradition. Jyashree started with explaining the making of every dish she had prepared. We were served almost 15 different varieties of freshly prepared South Indian vegetarian food. Every single item tasted unbelievably delicious. My most favorite was the manga pachidi (a sweet and sour dish made of mangoes). Everything that she prepared was at the right consistency, spice level and quantity. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Jyashree and her husband and we think she’d be a wonderful host to all travelers!
Preethi, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | $5,000 | $4,000 | $2,500 |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | $7,500 | $6,000 | $5,000 |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | $8,000 | $7,500 | $5,500 |
| Transportation | $3,500 per car | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | 12:30pm - 02:30pm | 8:00pm - 10:00pm |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 11:00am - 02:00pm | 6:30pm - 09:30pm |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | 9:00am - 02:00pm | 5:30pm - 10:30pm |
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.
