About me
I was born and brought up in a small town in Central India called Jabalpur. I then moved to Mumbai to train as a Fashion Designer in NIFT. After my college, I worked in Mumbai for a few years before moving to the U.K. in 2004. I have always been interested in food and cooking and have been greatly inspired by my mum’s cooking who has taught me everything I know about flavours.
After having my 2 children I found my interest in baking grow, it was a perfect way for me to relax and found it very relaxing. I am a creative yet meticulous baker and find baking a perfect outlet for my creativity.
Trying out new techniques and challenging myself is what keeps me going. Being on Great British Bake Off 2014 has been an amazing journey and has given me the confidence to try new combinations of flavours. I will always cherish this experience and the time I spent in the tent with my fellow bakers.
Soon after the show, I started work on my first book which is all about Indian flavours in some very western bakes. The book is called ‘The Cardamom Trail’ and was published in 2016.
After that, I went on to write my second book called ‘Chai, Chaat and Chutney’ which is all about Indian street food from the 4 corners of India. I wrote this book after intensive research into the 4 cities of India to find some of the most delicious street food. This book was published in 2017.
My third book ‘Chetna’s Healthy Indian’ is all about the food I cook at home for my family. It is the quick, delicious and healthy recipes we enjoy to balance out all the cakes I bake. This book was published in 2019.
CHILLI GARLIC CHUTNEY!
This is no ordinary chutney, it’s a flavour bomb.
Written recipe in my book #easyindianvegetarian and full video on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna enjoy x
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #vegetarian
The joy of BIRYANI!
This delicious chicken biryani recipe is in my cookbook #chetnasindianfeasts and my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna link in my profile! Enjoy xx
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #biryani
I have always loved textiles, the reason I became a fashion designer! Now I love ANY chance to wear a saree! Some of my sarees that got some fresh air recently -
- a green cotton saree from Bangalore my sister purchased for me 15 years ago
- a rust cotton from Maharashtra purchased many moons ago
- a pink silk chiffon my mum bought for me from Udaipur 20 years ago
- a 40 year old silk saree my dad bought for my mum from Orissa
- a silk georgette with hand embroidery that belonged to my mum and over 30 years old
- a black cotton - bought over 15 years ago
- a yellow cotton I bought from Calcutta when I went to research my cookbook #chaichaatchutney
- a white cotton from Kerala that a colleague bought for me 25 years ago
The point being - textiles are precious, invest in good handmade stuff that you can wear for a long time!
Healthy wholesome - CHICKEN RICE
Honey, mustard, garlic chicken!
Full recipe on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna link in my profile! Enjoy x
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #healthy
BETWEEN THE SLICES - Episode 3
Season 2!
Bean paneer sandwich
Full recipe on my website!
www.chetnamakan.co.uk
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #vegetarian #betweentheslices #sandwich
EASY CHICKEN KATSU CURRY!
Full recipe on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna link in my profile! Enjoy x
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #katsucurry
Stunning Methi paratha - my absolute favourite!
Recipe link in my profile!
What’s your favourite paratha?????
Let me know in the comments……
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #vegetarian
Some of my dinner plates from last few days!
(ALL recipes can be found on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna just type the recipe name on the channel)
- Apple + pear + almond crumble
- butter chicken + roti
- egg fried rice + chicken gyoza
- rajma + bhindi + roti
- chole + pulao
- thali of dreams
- onion paratha
- cauliflower + dal
All delicious easy recipes you must try!