Join us at the Mark Taper Auditorium of the Central Library in DTLA on April 8th for “Ancient Cuisine, Modern Interpretations” with Neela Paniz and Nandita Godbole!
Known as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, India has long been influenced by many cultures. At April’s talk, Neela Paniz and Nandita Godbole will discuss why Indian food is as varied as its regions are diverse. Indian cuisine remains influenced by a myriad of spices grown in the sub-continent, along with socioeconomic conditions that keep traditions as ancient as the food itself.
About the speakers:
Neela Paniz learned to cook Indian food under the guidance of an aunt after she moved to Los Angeles. Neela considered herself fortunate to work with contemporary, electric kitchen tools and not to have to tediously hand grind masalas (spice mixes) on stone grinders as back home in India. In 1985, Neela defied the stereotypes of rich, heavy Indian dishes by opening restaurants in Los Angeles: Chutney’s Indian fast food, and later Bombay Café. Her first book, The Bombay Cafe Cookbook, 1998 confirmed her position as a leading voice in contemporary Indian cuisine. She opened Neela’s, in Napa, CA, 2009 to 2013. Now back in Los Angeles she teaches Indian cooking and leads culinary and cultural tours to India. The New Indian Slow Cooker, 2014 is her latest cookbook. Today, bringing historic foods of India to the table is Neela’s passion; cooking India’s classic dishes constantly teaches her about the cuisine’s evolution.
Nandita Godbole comes from a family of Indian chefs and restaurateurs and learned from her perfectionist mother, whose innocent goal was to equip her daughter with skills for matrimony. Nandita arrived in the United States and began teaching Indian cooking in Atlanta and Los Angeles. She wrote several cookbooks and in each balanced practical tips with easy-to-follow recipes. Nandita remains a fervent advocate of Indian foods and strives to help enthusiasts confidently navigate this ancient cuisine. Her most recent workbook-style cookbook is, Crack the Code: Cook Any Indian Meal with Confidence, 2014 and her upcoming cookbook, Not For You: Family Narratives of Denial & Comfort Foods, 2017 explores recipes from her family and is steeped in personal narratives about life altering events that influenced comfort foods in the family kitchen.
A reception with themed refreshments will follow the talk at approximately 11:30am.
Free and open to the public.