Traditional Mangalorean cooking class in Pune

Meet Savita

Savita is originally from coastal Karnataka, though her family is settled in Pune for the last 30 years. She is an Executive and Leadership Transition Coach by profession however gardening, cooking and travel is her true passion. Travel is actually a family passion. She has traveled to 28 countries all over world! Savita enjoys taking cooking classes when she travels and enjoys it so much that when she heard about Traveling Spoon she knew she had to part of our host community, taking local cuisine to the world! She learned to cook traditional Mangalorean cuisine from her mother in law and is also well versed with Maharashtrian cuisine, having lived in Pune this long. "I am very happy and excited to share my traditional Mangalorean cuisine and recipes, which have been passed on through generations in our family."

What to expect

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) Savita lives with her family (who may be part of the experience depending on their availability) in a beautiful penthouse with interesting decor; many objects have meaning or a history which Savita willingly describes. After an introduction to the cuisine and culture, you will share a meal with Savita at the dining table to enjoy some of her signature dishes such as prawn curry rice, banana fritters, potato song (spicy potato seasoned with onion and coconut oil), green lentil ambat (sprouted green gram in coconut curry) and cucumber kochol with mustard seasoning (cucumber salad). You will end your meal with a sweet dessert such as pattoli (rice dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery steamed in banana leaf), a family favourite!

Cooking experience (1 - 4 guests) Savita enjoys entertaining and sharing her unique recipes. In your one hour hands-on cooking class Savita will be happy to teach you to cook two dishes completely from scratch. You may learn to make green lentil ambat (sprouted green gram in coconut curry) and pattoli (rice dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery steamed in banana leaf), before sitting down at the dining table to share a meal you helped prepare.

Market visit (1 - 4 guests) Meet Savita at her home and then walk to a nearby local market to see the different local ingredients available. This is not a large farmers market but a roadside small street market, where vendors sell their produce on carts. Savita usually buys her ingredients from here and will stop at various carts to explain more about the ingredients you will later use in your cooking class.

PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW

A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Savita is pleasant and easy to talk to. She did a great job explaining about Maharastian food and the cultural and culinary differences within India. She also described various vessels and storage of foods before the era of modern kitchens and refrigeration. Savita would be a great addition to the Traveling Spoon team. Her personality and interesting background will only enhance the experience of future guests.

Lynn, Traveling Spoon Ambassador