Spice of Life
Alamelu Vairavan, a Whitefish Bay resident, is an author and culinary instructor. Alamelu has a passion for educating the public about the use of spices and legumes in preparing healthy and tasty foods. She is also interested in educating the public about the growing research that points to the enormous health benefits of spices in preventing many diseases. Her mission is to enrich people's culinary experience and to inspire them to discover that cooking and sharing healthful foods can be an especially joyful experience.
Visit Alamelu's web site, CurryOnWheels.com.
Adding Zest To Your Vegetables
Many of you may already know that I am passionate about promoting healthful eating. As a community service, I am offering at the Whitefish Bay Library three culinary presentations that are open to the public. Details are shown below. You can contact the library for registration.
In The Pantry With Julia Child
The release of the movie “Julie & Julia” and the renewed great interest in the remarkable Chef Julia Child bring back to me fond memories of an unexpected and a thrilling experience in 1997. That was the year my first cook book (Art of South Indian Cooking) was published. My New York publisher had arranged for me to appear on the national television show, “Home Matters”. Can you believe that Julia Child was also featured in the same show?
Independence Day for Two Great Democracies
As we celebrate, with joy and pride, our independence day on July 4, another date is also of significance for us: August 15. It is India’s independence day. Both US and India obtained their independence from the same country: Britain. India’s freedom in 1947 came much later than America’s.
Day Trip to Little India
As a part of my culinary mission to educate people about healthful eating, periodically I conduct a day trip to "Little India" in Chicago(an area of several blocks on Devon Avenue.) Many, but not all , who go with me are my culinary students and their friends. This trip is open to anyone who is interested. I arrange for a limousine to take a group of about ten people on the trip. Parking in this area is extremely difficult. Travelling by the limousine not only solves the parking problem, but also provides an opportunity for those who make the trip to get acquainted with each other. And more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to discuss Indian culture, food and customs during the comfortable and elegant ride.
Cooking in Big Apple!
Well, well...what an amazing, challenging and thrilling experience it was for me to be able to present a cooking workshop at the famous James Beard Foundation (JBF), in Manhattan, New York. The JBF is a prestigious culinary organization that hosts workshops and events featuring culinary experts, prominent authors and chefs from around the country (www.jamesbeard.org/events). The JBF programs include classes, conferences, readings and other educational experiences that help people learn about and engage with food. Food matters a great deal to the members of this organization who not only pay an annual membership fee but also pay to participate in individual events held round the year.
