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Sita’s Kitchen
She was told, ‘Girls belong in the kitchen’, but her destiny was to rule it as a chef.
London-based restaurateur Arun and his assistant Ben are on a business trip. They stop at a roadside café in Himachal Pradesh and are astonished with its European looks and Italian menu. A cynical Arun samples a dish and is blown away by its authenticity.
His astonishment turns into disbelief when he learns that the cook is Sita, a simple mountain girl who has never in her life stepped outside her village. Ever since her mother passed away, Sita started helping her deaf-mute father run their small tea stall. Sita loves cooking and when a travelling Italian chef gifts her a cookbook, the passion becomes an obsession. Aided by YouTube videos, Sita soon revamps the tea stall and turns it into an elfin café.
Arun recognizes Sita’s extraordinary talents and convinces her to move to London and become a chef at his restaurant. However, Sita’s lack of professional training is soon apparent. Help comes in the form of Anwar Khan, a veteran butcher, who takes a floundering Sita under his wings.
She embarks on a journey, navigating the cut-throat and often ugly world of gourmet chefs where gender conventions and racial undercurrents can make or break careers. As she strives to carve a niche for herself, Arun starts feeling differently towards Sita.
Just when Sita starts believing in her special destiny, one incident alters her inside out and leads her to rediscovering herself.
London-based restaurateur Arun and his assistant Ben are on a business trip. They stop at a roadside café in Himachal Pradesh and are astonished with its European looks and Italian menu. A cynical Arun samples a dish and is blown away by its authenticity.
His astonishment turns into disbelief when he learns that the cook is Sita, a simple mountain girl who has never in her life stepped outside her village. Ever since her mother passed away, Sita started helping her deaf-mute father run their small tea stall. Sita loves cooking and when a travelling Italian chef gifts her a cookbook, the passion becomes an obsession. Aided by YouTube videos, Sita soon revamps the tea stall and turns it into an elfin café.
Arun recognizes Sita’s extraordinary talents and convinces her to move to London and become a chef at his restaurant. However, Sita’s lack of professional training is soon apparent. Help comes in the form of Anwar Khan, a veteran butcher, who takes a floundering Sita under his wings.
She embarks on a journey, navigating the cut-throat and often ugly world of gourmet chefs where gender conventions and racial undercurrents can make or break careers. As she strives to carve a niche for herself, Arun starts feeling differently towards Sita.
Just when Sita starts believing in her special destiny, one incident alters her inside out and leads her to rediscovering herself.
- GenresFood
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2021
25 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 10, 2022
Sita's Kitchen by Raghav Khanna is a beautiful tale of Sita, a small-town girl from Himachal Pradesh, who goes on to prove that she belongs to a kitchen, as a chef. She runs her quaint roadside cafe that serves delectable Italian cuisine in the remote area of HP. A famous restaurateur from London, Arun, recognises Sita’s extraordinary talents and convinces her to move to London and become a chef at his restaurant.
How will this change Sita's life?
Sita's Kitchen is a book that explores the fine dining experience, delectable food of Italian palette, coming of age of a young village girl, power of dreams, and brute reality of life. As much as this book fits well for those with epicurean desires, it inspires every reader to pursue their heart.
The story was far from what I actually thought it to be but I was kinda swept away by the writing. Khanna's writing just makes you eat Italian right away! For once, it was hard for me to read further, I couldn't put the book away for long because I was thoroughly invested in Sita's life.
Her aspirations led her to London but her self-actualization helped her in ways outside of the purview of the material world. I really liked how each character of the story plays its role beautifully and leaves a mark. None seemed underwhelming nor I did find the narrative going overboard.
Sita's homely and comely story pulled me into her world full of lively dreams, desire to prove her worth, and immense love for one's passion. Sita's journey is a testimony to the fact that things will take time and all that appears to be glitzy is not exactly what our core wants.
While the narrative transitions smoothly between the narration of Sita and Ben (Arun's assistant), the vivid description of Himachal and scrumptious food added to the appeal of this book.
For a beautifully dramatic read that fills your heart with aroma and delight, pick this book.
How will this change Sita's life?
Sita's Kitchen is a book that explores the fine dining experience, delectable food of Italian palette, coming of age of a young village girl, power of dreams, and brute reality of life. As much as this book fits well for those with epicurean desires, it inspires every reader to pursue their heart.
The story was far from what I actually thought it to be but I was kinda swept away by the writing. Khanna's writing just makes you eat Italian right away! For once, it was hard for me to read further, I couldn't put the book away for long because I was thoroughly invested in Sita's life.
Her aspirations led her to London but her self-actualization helped her in ways outside of the purview of the material world. I really liked how each character of the story plays its role beautifully and leaves a mark. None seemed underwhelming nor I did find the narrative going overboard.
Sita's homely and comely story pulled me into her world full of lively dreams, desire to prove her worth, and immense love for one's passion. Sita's journey is a testimony to the fact that things will take time and all that appears to be glitzy is not exactly what our core wants.
While the narrative transitions smoothly between the narration of Sita and Ben (Arun's assistant), the vivid description of Himachal and scrumptious food added to the appeal of this book.
For a beautifully dramatic read that fills your heart with aroma and delight, pick this book.
January 2, 2022
Passion. Dreams. Sweat. When combined, these three things have the power to turn around lives, and this is precisely what happened with our Sita.
Ever since she was a little girl, Sita has loved cooking and later, she even started running her own little café with her baba. And oh boy, was it the sweetest café with its delectable Italian cuisine and cozy vibes! It was a crystal-clear portrayal of Sita’s dreams, at least until Arun Mishra came along, got smitten by her food and offered her the position of a chef in his restaurant in London. With a mixture of euphoria and hesitation, Sita accepted this offer and there started her journey.
However, things seldom turn out to be the way we envision them. Amongst unfamiliar surroundings and cold people, Sita found herself losing her touch.
Maybe not all of us are made for multiple people. Maybe some of us are engineered to fit into very few places and very few conversations. And that is beautiful in its own right. It’s beautiful because that is when we find our spark.
That was when Sita dazed London with her fusion.
A sweet and homely book, ‘Sita’s kitchen’ is, much literally, a scrumptious treat. It is sweet, it is sour and most of all, it’s real. It’s a tale of dreams coming true and dreams shattering. But above all, it’s a tale of self-actualization.
If you ever find yourself in low spirits or in a mood to read something light, pick this up. I promise you that you will love it!
Ever since she was a little girl, Sita has loved cooking and later, she even started running her own little café with her baba. And oh boy, was it the sweetest café with its delectable Italian cuisine and cozy vibes! It was a crystal-clear portrayal of Sita’s dreams, at least until Arun Mishra came along, got smitten by her food and offered her the position of a chef in his restaurant in London. With a mixture of euphoria and hesitation, Sita accepted this offer and there started her journey.
However, things seldom turn out to be the way we envision them. Amongst unfamiliar surroundings and cold people, Sita found herself losing her touch.
Maybe not all of us are made for multiple people. Maybe some of us are engineered to fit into very few places and very few conversations. And that is beautiful in its own right. It’s beautiful because that is when we find our spark.
That was when Sita dazed London with her fusion.
A sweet and homely book, ‘Sita’s kitchen’ is, much literally, a scrumptious treat. It is sweet, it is sour and most of all, it’s real. It’s a tale of dreams coming true and dreams shattering. But above all, it’s a tale of self-actualization.
If you ever find yourself in low spirits or in a mood to read something light, pick this up. I promise you that you will love it!
February 3, 2022
4.5/5
Sita Pandit, a young girl from Himachal Pradesh, with her father, ran a cafe called The Midway Cafe. From a tapri, her father and her had upcycled it to a cafe with European looks using their savings and YouTube videos.
Arun, the owner of the most famous restaurant in London, Bellissimo is on a business trip to India with his assistant Ben. On their way to Kinnaur, they stop to have food at The Midway Cafe. The explosion of flavours on their taste buds leaves Arun impressed with Sita's culinary skills. They end up eating multiple times at the cafe and Arun proposes Sita to work for him at his restaurant in London. Poor Ben is asked to pursue her for she isn't a fan of the idea.
The book is about Sita and her father's travel to London, how she adapts to the people, situation and the city there. Would Sita be able to survive the culinary world of London?
Give this lovely book a read to find out.
I've got to begin by saying that the writing is fabulous. I read the book in a go! Along with being engaging, it's buttery smooth. The transitions in the plot are aided by the writing and that makes the book a really enjoyable read. The book alternates between moderate and fast pace time to time; readers are going to be hooked to the plot. The narrative alternates between Ben and Sita and the language is supremely yummy, oh I mean reader friendly. The theme is that of drama garnished with food which will leave you hungry and satiated at the same time. Lovely characters and writing reminded me of Master Chef. 🥘
Lots of drama, turn of events and loss will take the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions. I recommend this book! Also, can we appreciate the cover of this book! It's so cute.💌
A sequel to this book would be awesome!
Sita Pandit, a young girl from Himachal Pradesh, with her father, ran a cafe called The Midway Cafe. From a tapri, her father and her had upcycled it to a cafe with European looks using their savings and YouTube videos.
Arun, the owner of the most famous restaurant in London, Bellissimo is on a business trip to India with his assistant Ben. On their way to Kinnaur, they stop to have food at The Midway Cafe. The explosion of flavours on their taste buds leaves Arun impressed with Sita's culinary skills. They end up eating multiple times at the cafe and Arun proposes Sita to work for him at his restaurant in London. Poor Ben is asked to pursue her for she isn't a fan of the idea.
The book is about Sita and her father's travel to London, how she adapts to the people, situation and the city there. Would Sita be able to survive the culinary world of London?
Give this lovely book a read to find out.
I've got to begin by saying that the writing is fabulous. I read the book in a go! Along with being engaging, it's buttery smooth. The transitions in the plot are aided by the writing and that makes the book a really enjoyable read. The book alternates between moderate and fast pace time to time; readers are going to be hooked to the plot. The narrative alternates between Ben and Sita and the language is supremely yummy, oh I mean reader friendly. The theme is that of drama garnished with food which will leave you hungry and satiated at the same time. Lovely characters and writing reminded me of Master Chef. 🥘
Lots of drama, turn of events and loss will take the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions. I recommend this book! Also, can we appreciate the cover of this book! It's so cute.💌
A sequel to this book would be awesome!
May 29, 2023
Honestly, I'm not a fan of Indian authors. While I've loved some Indian author books, most of them have been below par. They lack a certain finesse and thanks to the number of Indian author books flooding the market these days, it is hard to find that.
This one however came as a surprise. It had got some pretty decent reviews and I just picked it up on a whim while I was buying a few other books. Only when I started reading it did I realize that the author is the person who created the show "Raja Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyan" on Netflix. That show is an ode to food and I love it. I can watch it any number of times and never get bored. I was glad to have picked up this book then.
Sita Pandit runs a café called Midway Café in Himachal Pradesh, India. When Arun, a London based restaurant owner and his assistant stumble upon this place, they are surprised by the menu. It mentions a lot of Italian dishes and other continental fare and these two are determined to mock the products. When the food arrives, Arun is blown away by it. After a few more meals there, to ensure it wasn't a fluke, he offers Sita a job in his restaurant in London. After much deliberation, she decides to accept the offer.
What follows is a lot of drama, competition and a menu that's a fusion of Indian and Italian food. The menu that's called Sita's Kitchen.
Five point review of Sita's Kitchen by Raghav Khanna:
1. Predictable and preachy, especially towards the end. Still, honest writing is what works for this book.
2. A very implausible storyline. Executed well though. The title could have been better too.
3. The characters of the chefs in the London restaurant feel caricaturish. Their villainy almost seems forced.
4. Food is given due credit. An extra star for this alone.
5. The ending could have been so much better. Instead it takes the predictable emotional route and tears down the concept of the entire book.
Verdict: Simple, predictable, honest. No frills attached.
⭐⭐⭐✨
This one however came as a surprise. It had got some pretty decent reviews and I just picked it up on a whim while I was buying a few other books. Only when I started reading it did I realize that the author is the person who created the show "Raja Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyan" on Netflix. That show is an ode to food and I love it. I can watch it any number of times and never get bored. I was glad to have picked up this book then.
Sita Pandit runs a café called Midway Café in Himachal Pradesh, India. When Arun, a London based restaurant owner and his assistant stumble upon this place, they are surprised by the menu. It mentions a lot of Italian dishes and other continental fare and these two are determined to mock the products. When the food arrives, Arun is blown away by it. After a few more meals there, to ensure it wasn't a fluke, he offers Sita a job in his restaurant in London. After much deliberation, she decides to accept the offer.
What follows is a lot of drama, competition and a menu that's a fusion of Indian and Italian food. The menu that's called Sita's Kitchen.
Five point review of Sita's Kitchen by Raghav Khanna:
1. Predictable and preachy, especially towards the end. Still, honest writing is what works for this book.
2. A very implausible storyline. Executed well though. The title could have been better too.
3. The characters of the chefs in the London restaurant feel caricaturish. Their villainy almost seems forced.
4. Food is given due credit. An extra star for this alone.
5. The ending could have been so much better. Instead it takes the predictable emotional route and tears down the concept of the entire book.
Verdict: Simple, predictable, honest. No frills attached.
⭐⭐⭐✨
January 24, 2022
Aroma of a little cafe or Practice in a professional kitchen
Himachal Pradesh or London
Roots or Dream
Sita Pandit, a twenty year old resident of Himachal, who ran a Cafe along with her father, have to make the above choices
Sita can cook anything.
From Samosa to Spaghetti Carbonara, from Rajma to Risotto & from Gulab Jamun to Tiramisu.
And seeing this passion of her’s, Arun, the owner of a leading Italian restaurant in London asks her to join him.
Will Sita leave her cafe, her roots, her Himachal for such an offer?
Leaving the details for you to experience her journey first hand.
~
🍂The story of Sita’s kitchen is very simple yet exquisite
It is inspiring , sometimes sweet, sometimes sour but it's raw and real.
A book to fill your heart with aroma and make your stomach groan.
to uplift your mood and bring you joy.
And to make you feel good at the end of the day
🍂Also don’t go over the cover, it's not a children's book, as it can be mistaken.
Himachal Pradesh or London
Roots or Dream
Sita Pandit, a twenty year old resident of Himachal, who ran a Cafe along with her father, have to make the above choices
Sita can cook anything.
From Samosa to Spaghetti Carbonara, from Rajma to Risotto & from Gulab Jamun to Tiramisu.
And seeing this passion of her’s, Arun, the owner of a leading Italian restaurant in London asks her to join him.
Will Sita leave her cafe, her roots, her Himachal for such an offer?
Leaving the details for you to experience her journey first hand.
~
🍂The story of Sita’s kitchen is very simple yet exquisite
It is inspiring , sometimes sweet, sometimes sour but it's raw and real.
A book to fill your heart with aroma and make your stomach groan.
to uplift your mood and bring you joy.
And to make you feel good at the end of the day
🍂Also don’t go over the cover, it's not a children's book, as it can be mistaken.
December 28, 2021
Right from the cover, to the story, I fell in love with the book. Raghav Khanna weaves a beautiful tale of a chef, around food, struggles, hope and dreams.
Ben visited India for the first time, on his way to Kinnaur with his boss Arun. Lil did he know, he is going to stay in India for a long time when they stopped at The Midway Cafe.
Arun, the owner of a leading Italian restaurant in London is stunned by finding a perfect Italian food in a small cafe on the highway. And he ended up tasting almost every dish at the Midway Cafe.
Narrated from Ben and Sita's perspective, it has an amazing storyline with an intriguing plot. Right from the start, Raghav keeps the readers engaged throughout with his gripping writing style.
His words will make the readers curious about what Arun is up to, about Ben's situation and Sita's Dilemma. A fast-paced story with a smooth flow of words.
I loved how Raghav beautifully blended the themes of love, hope, dreams and friendship with lots of drama. The equation Ben and Sita shared.
The story gets more exciting as it proceeds. Arun recognises Sita's talent and convinces her to move to London. Lil did she know, her life is going to change forever.
London brings new challenges and opportunities for Sita. I loved the way the author described her struggles and her spirit to learn, the people she met and the bond she shared with them.
The characters are well sketched by the author. Khan Chacha's character is one of the best characters, even Ben's character I liked the most. One could relate to each of them.
Remember, you cannot get everything in life together, you have to strive and have patience at the same time. Sita's journey is one such journey. With a beautiful cover and an unexpected climax, it's a light, fresh, delightful read that you will enjoy
An inspiring read with an amazing plot and crisp writing style. A different, easygoing read.
Ben visited India for the first time, on his way to Kinnaur with his boss Arun. Lil did he know, he is going to stay in India for a long time when they stopped at The Midway Cafe.
Arun, the owner of a leading Italian restaurant in London is stunned by finding a perfect Italian food in a small cafe on the highway. And he ended up tasting almost every dish at the Midway Cafe.
Narrated from Ben and Sita's perspective, it has an amazing storyline with an intriguing plot. Right from the start, Raghav keeps the readers engaged throughout with his gripping writing style.
His words will make the readers curious about what Arun is up to, about Ben's situation and Sita's Dilemma. A fast-paced story with a smooth flow of words.
I loved how Raghav beautifully blended the themes of love, hope, dreams and friendship with lots of drama. The equation Ben and Sita shared.
The story gets more exciting as it proceeds. Arun recognises Sita's talent and convinces her to move to London. Lil did she know, her life is going to change forever.
London brings new challenges and opportunities for Sita. I loved the way the author described her struggles and her spirit to learn, the people she met and the bond she shared with them.
The characters are well sketched by the author. Khan Chacha's character is one of the best characters, even Ben's character I liked the most. One could relate to each of them.
Remember, you cannot get everything in life together, you have to strive and have patience at the same time. Sita's journey is one such journey. With a beautiful cover and an unexpected climax, it's a light, fresh, delightful read that you will enjoy
An inspiring read with an amazing plot and crisp writing style. A different, easygoing read.
January 12, 2022
To start with, I was sold on the cover. I am a lover of illustrative works and this one just drives you home; although, the girl on the cover looks much younger than our protagonist. Sita, who’s harbored a love for cooking since a very young age, experiments dishes with the help of YouTube and serves them to her customers at the uber cool and cozy hub, The Midway Cafe, built with humble beginnings, and with her father close at heels for whatever she needs to run it. She’s grown adept at cooking; especially Italian dishes and her chance to take her dreams places arrives in the form of the sauve food connoisseur, Arun.
The main plot takes off when Arun, along with Ben (his assistant) stops at The Midway Cafe for a quick bite. That Arun is blown by Sita’s cooking would be a demeaning understatement. After having tasted like a zillion dishes, he is convinced that Sita is the missing keystone in his London-based Italian marvel – Bellissimo. Hesistant at first, Sita gradually however accepts Arun’s offer to work at Bellissimo, in the heart of London.
The book is written from multiple perspectives. Each chapter takes a different character’s POV, flitting between Arun, Ben, and Sita. This imparts the reader a deeper, better glimpse into the story making it easy to comprehend the very many mental struggles the MC and other characters go through at different points through the plot. For a young girl in a new city, Sita hardly feels outlandish, but starts to get diffident about her culinary skills owing to the burden of expectations and her cold, less kind, colleagues at Bellissimo.
Somewhere post 120 pages, the story goes into a fast gear where we see Sita grow into a more mature, determined woman, resorted to going for her actual instincts and experience in cooking and winning the game, obviously after having paid heavy prices for her follies. And finally becoming the woman she is meant to be. We see her defy prejudices, stand rooted in her beliefs, balance hard work and personal life, beating challenges with her experience and talent, and emerge into a successful chef.
There is a lot to learn from the protagonist. Especially about how to not lose hope and remain strong in the face of adversities and afflictions. The next important thing is the writing itself which is simple, engaging, sophisticated, and entertaining, all at once. The author has a great command on the language and that is pretty evident. Now that is something that keeps me hooked to a good piece of writing. Last but not the least, the book is dripping with mentions of marvelous dishes that would have you drooling, more than just once.
In a nutshell, Sita’s Kitchen explores the power of dreams, believing in oneself, the harsh realities of life, and a manifestation of the age-old proverb,
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
This debut is nothing short of a wonder of sorts, for its writing, characters, and settings. A great entertainer and a fast-paced one at that. Try it if you’re looking for a light read or if you’re a lover of food.
The main plot takes off when Arun, along with Ben (his assistant) stops at The Midway Cafe for a quick bite. That Arun is blown by Sita’s cooking would be a demeaning understatement. After having tasted like a zillion dishes, he is convinced that Sita is the missing keystone in his London-based Italian marvel – Bellissimo. Hesistant at first, Sita gradually however accepts Arun’s offer to work at Bellissimo, in the heart of London.
The book is written from multiple perspectives. Each chapter takes a different character’s POV, flitting between Arun, Ben, and Sita. This imparts the reader a deeper, better glimpse into the story making it easy to comprehend the very many mental struggles the MC and other characters go through at different points through the plot. For a young girl in a new city, Sita hardly feels outlandish, but starts to get diffident about her culinary skills owing to the burden of expectations and her cold, less kind, colleagues at Bellissimo.
Somewhere post 120 pages, the story goes into a fast gear where we see Sita grow into a more mature, determined woman, resorted to going for her actual instincts and experience in cooking and winning the game, obviously after having paid heavy prices for her follies. And finally becoming the woman she is meant to be. We see her defy prejudices, stand rooted in her beliefs, balance hard work and personal life, beating challenges with her experience and talent, and emerge into a successful chef.
There is a lot to learn from the protagonist. Especially about how to not lose hope and remain strong in the face of adversities and afflictions. The next important thing is the writing itself which is simple, engaging, sophisticated, and entertaining, all at once. The author has a great command on the language and that is pretty evident. Now that is something that keeps me hooked to a good piece of writing. Last but not the least, the book is dripping with mentions of marvelous dishes that would have you drooling, more than just once.
In a nutshell, Sita’s Kitchen explores the power of dreams, believing in oneself, the harsh realities of life, and a manifestation of the age-old proverb,
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
This debut is nothing short of a wonder of sorts, for its writing, characters, and settings. A great entertainer and a fast-paced one at that. Try it if you’re looking for a light read or if you’re a lover of food.
August 2, 2022
Some books leave you mesmerized, some perplexed, only a few leave you in a state of tranquility. Sita's kitchen is one such book.
Written in two POVs - Sita and Ben, this story flows like a swift breeze yet does not fail to capture your heart. Driven by passion and purpose, Sita discovers herself in this joyous ride. Mixed with emotional elements, this book is a complete package.
'Even the most magnificent of sculpture would prefer the obscure comfort it once had in the heart of a mountain' - Yes, whatever heights you achieve, the comfort of your roots can never be replaced. Sita's Kitchen made me realise this.
I would recommend this book to everyone who would want a quick break from their hectic life. This book makes you think about all the decisions that you take in your life, the opportunuties that arise, so on. I absolutely loved how the author made the story simple yet beautiful, just like sphagetti!
Written in two POVs - Sita and Ben, this story flows like a swift breeze yet does not fail to capture your heart. Driven by passion and purpose, Sita discovers herself in this joyous ride. Mixed with emotional elements, this book is a complete package.
'Even the most magnificent of sculpture would prefer the obscure comfort it once had in the heart of a mountain' - Yes, whatever heights you achieve, the comfort of your roots can never be replaced. Sita's Kitchen made me realise this.
I would recommend this book to everyone who would want a quick break from their hectic life. This book makes you think about all the decisions that you take in your life, the opportunuties that arise, so on. I absolutely loved how the author made the story simple yet beautiful, just like sphagetti!
February 22, 2022
6th Book of 2022
Well, February has turned out to be a good reading month for me. I just completed reading 5th book of the month named “Sita’s Kitchen” written by Raghav Khanna. The 220-pages book published by Rupa Publication is the story of passion, perseverance, improvement, dreams, challenge and self-realization. Initially, I had thought that the book would be just a normal storyline of a girl who loves cooking will be traveling all the way to London to achieve success and rejoice the same. There would be some challenges here and there but not more than that. After reading the book, I must say that Raghav’s writing style amazes you where even a simple scene is described in a way as if something very crucial in the plot is happening.
Right from the start of the story when Arun starts insisting Sita to leave the Indian mountain and move to London with him and work for his popular hotel, you start imagining the locale and the characters talking among themselves. The way each and everything about mountains is discussed makes you feel you are a part of it or you would want to apply leaves to be there immediately. Such is the magic of briefing author has done regularly pages after pages. Even when the story moves to London, the foreign land and the power of snow and cold is described exactly as it is – I can say with the confidence because of what I have heard from my friends who have travelled there for on-site projects.
Sita’s character is so beautifully groomed that she turns out to be the soul of the story. You just want to know about her more deeply and author just keeps on justifying your needs by regularly pushing from her external description to her food’s description – then moving on to her attitude towards everyone and finally the decisions she takes which defines her inner character. I liked how she was defined with so much of love and purity that as a reader, you don’t want anything to go wrong with her and when things go haywire, not only Sita but I am sure every reader suffers reading about how she is treated in London initially and how things go wrong for her. Apart from Sita’s character, author has also described all other characters intriguingly such as of Arun, Ben, Khan Chacha, Gabby, Alice and others.
The way story talks about the opportunities and the risks involved in the same will make you discover a lot about the kind of decisions you have taken in your past. The way Sita continuously messes in a new place will make you connect with how silly mistakes you ended up committing in your first few days of your new job. The support of Khan Chacha will make you remember that great colleague who always stood by you and made you learn things which has made you whatever you are today. The passion and yet the humane side of Arun will make you understand what a good leadership is. Ben’s journey in the story will teach you about humility, being a good person and helping out others as much as you can.
The book talks mainly about the cooking industry and I must tell you- I was quite doubtful about how words will make me imagine food and dishes and relate with the whole process of cooking etc. which book speaks about. Khanna has done a fantastic job with this part. He seamlessly describes both- the Italian as well as the fusion dishes of Indian and Italian so perfectly that you can imagine what is going on behind-the-scenes in the restaurant as well as you can smell the food through the book. Haha! Yes, that’s the power of his writing. He has done complete justice in the way he discusses the challenge of running a restaurant and how introducing a new menu can make or break an already popular eating spot. The way I have easily learnt the names of few Italian dishes talks about author’s magic in translating the whole cooking process in words.
Talking about the drawbacks – I felt that book was quite slow in the first half. You want to know what will happen with Sita but story really progresses slowly making you impatient. The book had lots of potential of also speaking philosophy and also embedding a little spiritual aspect in the cooking process but author keeps it more on the commercial side. I believe the book’s name might confuse any reader as they might feel the book speaks of recipes due to the word “Kitchen” in the title. Author could have named it differently.
Overall, the book is a short and beautiful light read. I give it 3.75* out of 5. Read to live a life in mountains, snows, London, restaurants by sitting in your balcony and enjoying the flavors of the food through the book.
Thanks.
WRITING BUDDHA
Well, February has turned out to be a good reading month for me. I just completed reading 5th book of the month named “Sita’s Kitchen” written by Raghav Khanna. The 220-pages book published by Rupa Publication is the story of passion, perseverance, improvement, dreams, challenge and self-realization. Initially, I had thought that the book would be just a normal storyline of a girl who loves cooking will be traveling all the way to London to achieve success and rejoice the same. There would be some challenges here and there but not more than that. After reading the book, I must say that Raghav’s writing style amazes you where even a simple scene is described in a way as if something very crucial in the plot is happening.
Right from the start of the story when Arun starts insisting Sita to leave the Indian mountain and move to London with him and work for his popular hotel, you start imagining the locale and the characters talking among themselves. The way each and everything about mountains is discussed makes you feel you are a part of it or you would want to apply leaves to be there immediately. Such is the magic of briefing author has done regularly pages after pages. Even when the story moves to London, the foreign land and the power of snow and cold is described exactly as it is – I can say with the confidence because of what I have heard from my friends who have travelled there for on-site projects.
Sita’s character is so beautifully groomed that she turns out to be the soul of the story. You just want to know about her more deeply and author just keeps on justifying your needs by regularly pushing from her external description to her food’s description – then moving on to her attitude towards everyone and finally the decisions she takes which defines her inner character. I liked how she was defined with so much of love and purity that as a reader, you don’t want anything to go wrong with her and when things go haywire, not only Sita but I am sure every reader suffers reading about how she is treated in London initially and how things go wrong for her. Apart from Sita’s character, author has also described all other characters intriguingly such as of Arun, Ben, Khan Chacha, Gabby, Alice and others.
The way story talks about the opportunities and the risks involved in the same will make you discover a lot about the kind of decisions you have taken in your past. The way Sita continuously messes in a new place will make you connect with how silly mistakes you ended up committing in your first few days of your new job. The support of Khan Chacha will make you remember that great colleague who always stood by you and made you learn things which has made you whatever you are today. The passion and yet the humane side of Arun will make you understand what a good leadership is. Ben’s journey in the story will teach you about humility, being a good person and helping out others as much as you can.
The book talks mainly about the cooking industry and I must tell you- I was quite doubtful about how words will make me imagine food and dishes and relate with the whole process of cooking etc. which book speaks about. Khanna has done a fantastic job with this part. He seamlessly describes both- the Italian as well as the fusion dishes of Indian and Italian so perfectly that you can imagine what is going on behind-the-scenes in the restaurant as well as you can smell the food through the book. Haha! Yes, that’s the power of his writing. He has done complete justice in the way he discusses the challenge of running a restaurant and how introducing a new menu can make or break an already popular eating spot. The way I have easily learnt the names of few Italian dishes talks about author’s magic in translating the whole cooking process in words.
Talking about the drawbacks – I felt that book was quite slow in the first half. You want to know what will happen with Sita but story really progresses slowly making you impatient. The book had lots of potential of also speaking philosophy and also embedding a little spiritual aspect in the cooking process but author keeps it more on the commercial side. I believe the book’s name might confuse any reader as they might feel the book speaks of recipes due to the word “Kitchen” in the title. Author could have named it differently.
Overall, the book is a short and beautiful light read. I give it 3.75* out of 5. Read to live a life in mountains, snows, London, restaurants by sitting in your balcony and enjoying the flavors of the food through the book.
Thanks.
WRITING BUDDHA
February 23, 2022
Book review -
Book - " Sita's Kitchen " @sitas.kitchen
Author- " Raghav Khanna " @raghavkhanna24
Genre - " Fiction , Inspirational "
CAUTION - " Keep loads of food beside you before you start to read this book cause as you turn the pages, your hunger pangs to satiate your appetite will not allow you to focus on the book. "
First of all, the cover page was too cute to ignore and secondly it's on food that too written by an Indian author. It couldn't get any better for a food lover and bibliophile in me.
The story is about a young girl - Sita who lives in at the foothills of the picturesque Himalayas. As one can guess, she was passionate about cooking. An unexpected stranger who happened to taste her food falls in love with her sense of cooking. Life is about to take a furious gallop.
Will Sita embrace the change ?
Will she realise her destiny to be among the stars ?
Is the journey as easy as it seems ?
That's for you to read and travel with her on this rickety path filled with scorns and omissions. Accompanying on her journey is her dearest papa Hari. The bond they share seemed to only get stronger day by day since the demise of her mother. Sometimes too good to be true and romanticized, it reminded me of the movie " Burnt " and help me to visualise the struggles of a chef. Neither did Adam Jones ( The talented chef from Burnt movie) nor our dear Sita had it easy.
We have several adorable characters who come along the way.
Arun - Adamant but adorable. I can almost fall in love with his never surrender spirit. He is my hero of this story.
Khan Chacha - The goliath with a kind soul.
Ben - Your go to guy.
Most importantly, the writing by the author and his knowledge of cooking made my lazy arse to get up and make a delicious gourmet pasta ( highly Debatable ) which I have been promising my mom every day. I request the author to definitely write the sequel of the book as the kiss sealed it for me. Bon appetit!
Book - " Sita's Kitchen " @sitas.kitchen
Author- " Raghav Khanna " @raghavkhanna24
Genre - " Fiction , Inspirational "
CAUTION - " Keep loads of food beside you before you start to read this book cause as you turn the pages, your hunger pangs to satiate your appetite will not allow you to focus on the book. "
First of all, the cover page was too cute to ignore and secondly it's on food that too written by an Indian author. It couldn't get any better for a food lover and bibliophile in me.
The story is about a young girl - Sita who lives in at the foothills of the picturesque Himalayas. As one can guess, she was passionate about cooking. An unexpected stranger who happened to taste her food falls in love with her sense of cooking. Life is about to take a furious gallop.
Will Sita embrace the change ?
Will she realise her destiny to be among the stars ?
Is the journey as easy as it seems ?
That's for you to read and travel with her on this rickety path filled with scorns and omissions. Accompanying on her journey is her dearest papa Hari. The bond they share seemed to only get stronger day by day since the demise of her mother. Sometimes too good to be true and romanticized, it reminded me of the movie " Burnt " and help me to visualise the struggles of a chef. Neither did Adam Jones ( The talented chef from Burnt movie) nor our dear Sita had it easy.
We have several adorable characters who come along the way.
Arun - Adamant but adorable. I can almost fall in love with his never surrender spirit. He is my hero of this story.
Khan Chacha - The goliath with a kind soul.
Ben - Your go to guy.
Most importantly, the writing by the author and his knowledge of cooking made my lazy arse to get up and make a delicious gourmet pasta ( highly Debatable ) which I have been promising my mom every day. I request the author to definitely write the sequel of the book as the kiss sealed it for me. Bon appetit!
January 14, 2022
"Only those who endure the darkest hour get to see the first rays of light"
- Raghav Khanna
"Sita' s Kitchen" is an exquisite gourmet meal rich with the tenderness of emotions and salivating account of culinary adventures. Above all, it's a tale of endurance, empowerment and hope.
The story opens in a roadside cafe in Himachal Pradesh. The cafe, unlike the traditional dhabas in the highway was 'unusually exquisite'. This made the London based restaurateur Arun and his assistant Ben who were on a business trip amazed. As soon as they learn that the perfect culinary delights in the cafe were made by an ordinary, mountain girl who never stepped out of her house, they were startled with disbelief. Little did Sita know, this was the beginning of a journey that would change her life forever! While success smiled at her, destiny planned something different for her.
A heartwarming, delicious read, this book made me salivating most of the time! Khanna's writing felt debutant grapple free and was more pleasing to my palate. I loved the way Sita 's character was developed. She was given an identity, a strong voice. She no longer submitted to the barriers set by society, rather defied them boldly!! Its more heartening to see such amazing representations, especially by male writers. Another aspect was the LGBTQ+ representation which was done finely.
This life altering tale of Sita, is not only inspiring but also a breakaway from the conventional norms and rediscovering of ones roots! If you love to read inspiring books that revolve around food and love and hope, do check this out!!
- Raghav Khanna
"Sita' s Kitchen" is an exquisite gourmet meal rich with the tenderness of emotions and salivating account of culinary adventures. Above all, it's a tale of endurance, empowerment and hope.
The story opens in a roadside cafe in Himachal Pradesh. The cafe, unlike the traditional dhabas in the highway was 'unusually exquisite'. This made the London based restaurateur Arun and his assistant Ben who were on a business trip amazed. As soon as they learn that the perfect culinary delights in the cafe were made by an ordinary, mountain girl who never stepped out of her house, they were startled with disbelief. Little did Sita know, this was the beginning of a journey that would change her life forever! While success smiled at her, destiny planned something different for her.
A heartwarming, delicious read, this book made me salivating most of the time! Khanna's writing felt debutant grapple free and was more pleasing to my palate. I loved the way Sita 's character was developed. She was given an identity, a strong voice. She no longer submitted to the barriers set by society, rather defied them boldly!! Its more heartening to see such amazing representations, especially by male writers. Another aspect was the LGBTQ+ representation which was done finely.
This life altering tale of Sita, is not only inspiring but also a breakaway from the conventional norms and rediscovering of ones roots! If you love to read inspiring books that revolve around food and love and hope, do check this out!!
January 15, 2022
"Sita's Kitchen" is an amazing mix of dreams , life , hope and values. This is a story of a young simple girl from the laps of beautiful Himalayas to the hustle & bustle and Micheline star restaurants in London. The storytelling is flawless with a beautiful use of language , and it caught me in like a storm leaving me feel all warm and fuzzy. It’s a fast paced story and I could not stop reading it, only if dint have a job or a life other than the books , I would have devoured it in one go. The author has done an amazing job at bringing the beauty of the hills , simplicity of people , emotions of all involved, the joy and heartbreak of dreams and success ,enormity of possibilities, all intertwined in one story. I believe It is rare to find strong character building in a short book , the author has done it superbly well with this one, each character had his/her special place in the narration. The story does uses some tropes but they are so beautifully written that it was all very welcome.
This debut novel by the author proved to be a sumptuous pleasant surprise to me and I highly recommend it to all. As I knew the author to be creative director and writer for Raja , Rasoi and Anya Kahaniyan , I expected mention and description of a lot of food and the book hits the right spot with it.
Special Mention: The subtle mentions of times of Covid and lockdowns being all in the past , strengthened the hope and desire in my heart too, to be able to live in this covid free world very soon.
Let me leave you with few quotes and thoughts from the book:
"… , the truth is , we all are failing at life-personal, professional or both. Some just aim so high that their failure lands higher than how others define success"
"Success takes everything from you before it gives anything back"
"It is nothing but perseverance that lets a river cut through a mountain"
This debut novel by the author proved to be a sumptuous pleasant surprise to me and I highly recommend it to all. As I knew the author to be creative director and writer for Raja , Rasoi and Anya Kahaniyan , I expected mention and description of a lot of food and the book hits the right spot with it.
Special Mention: The subtle mentions of times of Covid and lockdowns being all in the past , strengthened the hope and desire in my heart too, to be able to live in this covid free world very soon.
Let me leave you with few quotes and thoughts from the book:
"… , the truth is , we all are failing at life-personal, professional or both. Some just aim so high that their failure lands higher than how others define success"
"Success takes everything from you before it gives anything back"
"It is nothing but perseverance that lets a river cut through a mountain"
March 1, 2022
The story on the true calling and the essence of 'home'
It is the story of a young girl who nurtured her dreams by the Himalayan roadside shack and lived through them in the center of Big Ben's city.
It is the story of a young girl who collected the shattered pieces of her dream and glued them together with her persistence and grit.
It is the story of a young girl carving her niche in the world, with her own hands.
Spirit. Care. friendship. Love. passion - This story is a perfect blend of these.
"Only those who endure the darkest hour get to see the first rays of light"
"Success takes everything from you before it gives you anything back"
It is the story of a young girl who nurtured her dreams by the Himalayan roadside shack and lived through them in the center of Big Ben's city.
It is the story of a young girl who collected the shattered pieces of her dream and glued them together with her persistence and grit.
It is the story of a young girl carving her niche in the world, with her own hands.
Spirit. Care. friendship. Love. passion - This story is a perfect blend of these.
"Only those who endure the darkest hour get to see the first rays of light"
"Success takes everything from you before it gives you anything back"
January 16, 2022
// Sita's Kitchen by Raghav Khanna
I have always enjoyed books related to food so I was quite excited about this short read. Sita's Kitchen is about a young lady, running a café in the mountains of Rampur Bushahr. The food isn't just ordinary but something that you'd find in Michelin star restaurants but with her own Indian twist. When Arun Mehra, a bigwig from London tumbles across the café on his trip to India, he is suitably impressed by the Himalayan Aglio Olio that he tries at the café. Being a restauranteur himself, he is now curious to see who is the magician behind conjuring up these delicious dishes in the middle of nowhere.
And so he returns again and again until he discovers the chef's identity. He is surprised to see a young woman with no culinary training whipping up such lip-smacking food. When Arun offers her a job at his Italian restaurant in London, Sita reluctantly accepts it. Her life changes overnight when she sets foot in a new country. What follows next is the discovery of her true potential, new friendships and also a romantic angle. Sita's story is very simple and one full of morals. Although I enjoyed the initial part of the story, it all seemed too far fetched. There were a few letdowns including the sudden addition of romance to the story. It came out of nowhere and added zero value to the story. The characters lacked a fine finish and the story was hurried at the end.
If you can overlook the above mentioned flaws, then pick up this book right away. This simple story that can be finished in one or two sittings may just be your cup of tea. Unfortunately I can't say the same for me.
Thank you for the copy @rupa_publications 🌸
I have always enjoyed books related to food so I was quite excited about this short read. Sita's Kitchen is about a young lady, running a café in the mountains of Rampur Bushahr. The food isn't just ordinary but something that you'd find in Michelin star restaurants but with her own Indian twist. When Arun Mehra, a bigwig from London tumbles across the café on his trip to India, he is suitably impressed by the Himalayan Aglio Olio that he tries at the café. Being a restauranteur himself, he is now curious to see who is the magician behind conjuring up these delicious dishes in the middle of nowhere.
And so he returns again and again until he discovers the chef's identity. He is surprised to see a young woman with no culinary training whipping up such lip-smacking food. When Arun offers her a job at his Italian restaurant in London, Sita reluctantly accepts it. Her life changes overnight when she sets foot in a new country. What follows next is the discovery of her true potential, new friendships and also a romantic angle. Sita's story is very simple and one full of morals. Although I enjoyed the initial part of the story, it all seemed too far fetched. There were a few letdowns including the sudden addition of romance to the story. It came out of nowhere and added zero value to the story. The characters lacked a fine finish and the story was hurried at the end.
If you can overlook the above mentioned flaws, then pick up this book right away. This simple story that can be finished in one or two sittings may just be your cup of tea. Unfortunately I can't say the same for me.
Thank you for the copy @rupa_publications 🌸
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2022
"By telling you this story, what I mean to tell you is---only those who endure the darkest hour get to see the first rays of light."
BOOK: Sita's Kitchen
AUTHOR:#raghavkhanna
GENRE: #Contemporaryfiction #romance
PUBLISHER: @rupa_publications
RATING: 4.7💫
This novel says the story of a mountain girl named Sita, who finds out her passion is cooking. And she cooks great Italian food without even going to italy mainly with the help of few tourists, cook books and videos. Its an inspiring journey, but when she gets discovered by Arun, a London based Indian businessman, the owner of Bellissimo, the windows of new possibilities open up to her. With hesitation,curiosity and dreams she takes her first flight.
Reading a novel we should be able to sometimes connect it with our life and others around us. A book should teach us something, give wings in the dreams in us. We should be able to accquire some moral from each story we get to read/hear. This story told me "The steps between you and your passion is hardwork and persistance."
#suggestedtoall
#contemporaryfiction
#fiction
#romance
#himalaya
#hinalayangirl
#indian
#cooking
#chef
#passion
#food
#fusionfood
#books
#read
#reading
#reader
#reviewer
#readerssnapshot
#goodreads
#booklover
#bookstagram
#london
#bellissimo
#italianfood
#italianrestaurant
#sitaskitchen
#indianauthor
BOOK: Sita's Kitchen
AUTHOR:#raghavkhanna
GENRE: #Contemporaryfiction #romance
PUBLISHER: @rupa_publications
RATING: 4.7💫
This novel says the story of a mountain girl named Sita, who finds out her passion is cooking. And she cooks great Italian food without even going to italy mainly with the help of few tourists, cook books and videos. Its an inspiring journey, but when she gets discovered by Arun, a London based Indian businessman, the owner of Bellissimo, the windows of new possibilities open up to her. With hesitation,curiosity and dreams she takes her first flight.
Reading a novel we should be able to sometimes connect it with our life and others around us. A book should teach us something, give wings in the dreams in us. We should be able to accquire some moral from each story we get to read/hear. This story told me "The steps between you and your passion is hardwork and persistance."
#suggestedtoall
#contemporaryfiction
#fiction
#romance
#himalaya
#hinalayangirl
#indian
#cooking
#chef
#passion
#food
#fusionfood
#books
#read
#reading
#reader
#reviewer
#readerssnapshot
#goodreads
#booklover
#bookstagram
#london
#bellissimo
#italianfood
#italianrestaurant
#sitaskitchen
#indianauthor
October 2, 2024
SITA’S KITCHEN
Author: Raghav Khanna
Genre: Fiction - Food
Moods: Hopeful, Lighthearted
Pace: Fast
Sita’s Kitchen is a motivational, coming-of-age tale of Sita, a mountain girl whose dreams were larger than the life she led.
Her journey begins at a humble roadside cafe, where she cooks for travelers. It’s there that Arun, the owner of an Italian restaurant in London, discovers her talent and offers her an opportunity she never dared to imagine: a chance to work in his restaurant and elevate her passion for cooking to a global stage.
However, while Sita’s dream begins to take shape, the reality of making it come true proves to be more challenging than she had anticipated.
Pros:
The author’s writing is visually evocative and palpable, drawing readers into the nuances of the culinary world.
Khanna offers readers an insightful look into the back-end of food preparation, highlighting the pressures chefs face - from delivering meals on time to innovating their menus.
The story also sheds light on the marketing challenges of building a successful restaurant brand, including the growing influence of social media. These elements bring authenticity to the narrative and make the reader appreciate the intricacies of the food industry.
Cons:
While the novel succeeds in capturing the culinary journey, it falls short in certain areas, particularly in its character development and plot pacing.
The storyline is predictable, and the romantic subplot feels rushed and somewhat unnecessary at the point where it was introduced.
Sita’s character is presented as a passionate and determined young woman, eager to learn and grow in her craft. She actively seeks feedback from customers and invests in mastering Italian cuisine through books and videos. However, her reaction upon meeting Arun, who is a potential mentor, feels inconsistent. Her initial rudeness toward someone who could offer her valuable insights and opportunities seems out of place for someone so focused on self-improvement.
Sita’s abrupt shift from dismissive to accepting Arun’s job offer lacks a natural progression, making her character arc feel rushed and disconnected.
The romance between Sita and Arun is similarly underdeveloped. The chemistry between them is hinted at only toward the end of the book, with little build-up or emotional depth, making the love story feel tacked on rather than integral to the narrative. The romance would have benefited from deeper exploration to make it more convincing and engaging.
Final Remarks:
Sita's Kitchen offers a heartfelt journey into the world of culinary dreams and the challenges that come with pursuing them.
While the writing captures the essence of the food industry beautifully, the underdeveloped romance and uneven character transitions detract from the overall narrative.
A more gradual exploration of Sita’s growth and a stronger focus on the emotional dynamics between the characters could have elevated the story.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak with the author at an author's meet shortly after the release of the book. However, I regret that I was unable to obtain a copy to read beforehand, as I would have liked to share my thoughts directly with him.
I’m looking forward to reading more of his works as I really enjoyed his writing.
My Rating: 3.5/5
Author: Raghav Khanna
Genre: Fiction - Food
Moods: Hopeful, Lighthearted
Pace: Fast
Sita’s Kitchen is a motivational, coming-of-age tale of Sita, a mountain girl whose dreams were larger than the life she led.
Her journey begins at a humble roadside cafe, where she cooks for travelers. It’s there that Arun, the owner of an Italian restaurant in London, discovers her talent and offers her an opportunity she never dared to imagine: a chance to work in his restaurant and elevate her passion for cooking to a global stage.
However, while Sita’s dream begins to take shape, the reality of making it come true proves to be more challenging than she had anticipated.
Pros:
The author’s writing is visually evocative and palpable, drawing readers into the nuances of the culinary world.
Khanna offers readers an insightful look into the back-end of food preparation, highlighting the pressures chefs face - from delivering meals on time to innovating their menus.
The story also sheds light on the marketing challenges of building a successful restaurant brand, including the growing influence of social media. These elements bring authenticity to the narrative and make the reader appreciate the intricacies of the food industry.
Cons:
While the novel succeeds in capturing the culinary journey, it falls short in certain areas, particularly in its character development and plot pacing.
The storyline is predictable, and the romantic subplot feels rushed and somewhat unnecessary at the point where it was introduced.
Sita’s character is presented as a passionate and determined young woman, eager to learn and grow in her craft. She actively seeks feedback from customers and invests in mastering Italian cuisine through books and videos. However, her reaction upon meeting Arun, who is a potential mentor, feels inconsistent. Her initial rudeness toward someone who could offer her valuable insights and opportunities seems out of place for someone so focused on self-improvement.
Sita’s abrupt shift from dismissive to accepting Arun’s job offer lacks a natural progression, making her character arc feel rushed and disconnected.
The romance between Sita and Arun is similarly underdeveloped. The chemistry between them is hinted at only toward the end of the book, with little build-up or emotional depth, making the love story feel tacked on rather than integral to the narrative. The romance would have benefited from deeper exploration to make it more convincing and engaging.
Final Remarks:
Sita's Kitchen offers a heartfelt journey into the world of culinary dreams and the challenges that come with pursuing them.
While the writing captures the essence of the food industry beautifully, the underdeveloped romance and uneven character transitions detract from the overall narrative.
A more gradual exploration of Sita’s growth and a stronger focus on the emotional dynamics between the characters could have elevated the story.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak with the author at an author's meet shortly after the release of the book. However, I regret that I was unable to obtain a copy to read beforehand, as I would have liked to share my thoughts directly with him.
I’m looking forward to reading more of his works as I really enjoyed his writing.
My Rating: 3.5/5
December 15, 2021
She was told "Girls belong in the kitchen"
In which era are we living?? I mean Are girls born just to stay at home?? Can't they dream big and achieve it. Specially, Why can't girls living in small villages dream big?? Why they can't do what they want to do just because they are from a small village?? Well, if your answer is yes than you should read Sita's story which will inspire you to dream big and achieve that dream.
Sita, a small town girl from Himachal pradesh started cooking at the age of fifteen When her mother passed away. She loves to experiment with her cooking and slowly by watching videos and reading books, she learnt to cook some special Italian dishes. She did makeover of her father's tea stall and turned it into an elfin cafe. Slowly food cooked by her was being loved by everyone and cafe became tourist attraction.
Arun and his assistant who came to India for some legal work, stopped at Sita's cafe and was surprised by the taste of food and cafe interior. Arun who has a big Italian restaurant in London was shocked when he came to know about the chef who was none other than a simple mountain girl. He was impressed by Sita's talent and wanted her to come to London to work at his restaurant. Sita being a simple girl first declined but later Arun convinced her to come. For Sita it was her dream come true but without professional training and teaching, beginning days became difficult for her to adjust in new country. Gradually, she learnt everything and enjoying her new life but one incident which changed her life which leads her to rediscovering herself. Read the book to know more.
It's an inspiring story of an Indian girl who steps out of her comfort zone and despite of facing many struggles and difficulties, she achieves her dream of becoming a professional chef. It's about a girl who believed in herself and without fear, did what she wanted to do. The story will surely give you confidence to work hard for your dreams and achieve it.
The description of Himachal pradesh and London is amazingly written. In fact the food recipes which are also discussed in detail which surely made my mouth watering. I absolutely loved the Arun and Ben characters. I was happy when Arun and Sita got chance to know each other and fall in love. I never felt I was reading debut author work, it was so nicely written.
One request to author is to write sequel because I want to know about the relationship between Arun- Sita and their Himachal pradesh cafe.
In which era are we living?? I mean Are girls born just to stay at home?? Can't they dream big and achieve it. Specially, Why can't girls living in small villages dream big?? Why they can't do what they want to do just because they are from a small village?? Well, if your answer is yes than you should read Sita's story which will inspire you to dream big and achieve that dream.
Sita, a small town girl from Himachal pradesh started cooking at the age of fifteen When her mother passed away. She loves to experiment with her cooking and slowly by watching videos and reading books, she learnt to cook some special Italian dishes. She did makeover of her father's tea stall and turned it into an elfin cafe. Slowly food cooked by her was being loved by everyone and cafe became tourist attraction.
Arun and his assistant who came to India for some legal work, stopped at Sita's cafe and was surprised by the taste of food and cafe interior. Arun who has a big Italian restaurant in London was shocked when he came to know about the chef who was none other than a simple mountain girl. He was impressed by Sita's talent and wanted her to come to London to work at his restaurant. Sita being a simple girl first declined but later Arun convinced her to come. For Sita it was her dream come true but without professional training and teaching, beginning days became difficult for her to adjust in new country. Gradually, she learnt everything and enjoying her new life but one incident which changed her life which leads her to rediscovering herself. Read the book to know more.
It's an inspiring story of an Indian girl who steps out of her comfort zone and despite of facing many struggles and difficulties, she achieves her dream of becoming a professional chef. It's about a girl who believed in herself and without fear, did what she wanted to do. The story will surely give you confidence to work hard for your dreams and achieve it.
The description of Himachal pradesh and London is amazingly written. In fact the food recipes which are also discussed in detail which surely made my mouth watering. I absolutely loved the Arun and Ben characters. I was happy when Arun and Sita got chance to know each other and fall in love. I never felt I was reading debut author work, it was so nicely written.
One request to author is to write sequel because I want to know about the relationship between Arun- Sita and their Himachal pradesh cafe.
January 9, 2022
SITA'S KITCHEN BY RAGHAV KHANNA - A Brilliant Book to be "craved" for, not once but again & again!
.
There's no denying the fact that I am a voracious reader. In December last year, thanks to IG Pop Up Ads via Stories, a Cover Page of a Book made me curious to buy it and the very second day of the New Year, the book was welcomed home. But a rare thing occurred with me in the first week of the New Year. I sat to read that book, but the same book, I read it twice & that too within the same week! It was very much to my surprise that this act was being organically done by me & I didn't force myself to cease it! I believe this is possible only when the story, the characters, though fictional, deep down in your heart strike a chord with you. Personally, after I finish reading any book, I have habituated myself to not get too much involved in the story that it gets difficult to come out of it. But my first read of the year became an exception to this rule
.
Sita's Kitchen is a debut Food Novel of Raghav Khanna and its incredibly unbelievable that it's his first, as he has written a great book with all the right ingredients - a riveting story & lipsmacking food
.
This book is very special to me. Both the times I read it, it was with different minds & so many lessons learnt! First one was from a mind of a Curious reader - where the Principal Characters Sita Pandit & Arun Mehra make you to fall in love with them as well as their inspiring journeys. Their journey definitely instilled in me immense motivation to chase my dreams. The second reading was that from a mind of a Food Blogger - As someone who Personally runs a Food Blog, the book was an insightful leaning center for me to learn the Art of Food Writing. Also, an eye opening read about Food/Restaurant Industry, life of Chefs
.
After reading this book & with personal experience, I would love to quote that "You don't pick the book, the book chooses you"
.
And I would love to make a humble request to the Author, do write a sequel asap!
.
There's no denying the fact that I am a voracious reader. In December last year, thanks to IG Pop Up Ads via Stories, a Cover Page of a Book made me curious to buy it and the very second day of the New Year, the book was welcomed home. But a rare thing occurred with me in the first week of the New Year. I sat to read that book, but the same book, I read it twice & that too within the same week! It was very much to my surprise that this act was being organically done by me & I didn't force myself to cease it! I believe this is possible only when the story, the characters, though fictional, deep down in your heart strike a chord with you. Personally, after I finish reading any book, I have habituated myself to not get too much involved in the story that it gets difficult to come out of it. But my first read of the year became an exception to this rule
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Sita's Kitchen is a debut Food Novel of Raghav Khanna and its incredibly unbelievable that it's his first, as he has written a great book with all the right ingredients - a riveting story & lipsmacking food
.
This book is very special to me. Both the times I read it, it was with different minds & so many lessons learnt! First one was from a mind of a Curious reader - where the Principal Characters Sita Pandit & Arun Mehra make you to fall in love with them as well as their inspiring journeys. Their journey definitely instilled in me immense motivation to chase my dreams. The second reading was that from a mind of a Food Blogger - As someone who Personally runs a Food Blog, the book was an insightful leaning center for me to learn the Art of Food Writing. Also, an eye opening read about Food/Restaurant Industry, life of Chefs
.
After reading this book & with personal experience, I would love to quote that "You don't pick the book, the book chooses you"
.
And I would love to make a humble request to the Author, do write a sequel asap!
January 8, 2022
Full review here:
https://tsbookclub.wordpress.com/2022...
Sita Pandit, resident of a small village in Himachal Pradesh, ran The Midway Café along with her father Hira Lal Pandit.
What was once a tiny roadside tea stall catering to passing truck drivers has been given a facelift by Sita and transformed into a modest café. She did this without attending any culinary school or formal training in cooking.
While on a short trip to India, London-based restaurant owner Arun Mehra and his assistant Ben chance upon authentic Italian dishes at The Midway Café.
Shocked by the tasty dishes made by a young twenty-something village girl, who has never travelled beyond Shimla, Arun is bent on hiring Sita as chef for his London restaurant, which was grappling to sustain its customers.
After much hesitation, Sita agrees to move to London, hoping to make her impossible dream come true.
Will Sita be able to adjust to the new challenges that awaited her in Arun’s restaurant? Will she live up to Arun’s trust in her unexplored talent? Answers to these questions form the rest of the story.
Sita’s kitchen is the story of a girl from a simple background. She learns cooking out of her curiosity to explore world cuisines, especially Italian dishes, after she receives a cookbook as gift from a travelling couple. She later enhances her skills using internet sources and YouTube.
While the premise of a small-town girl moving abroad to succeed in her career is a known, the detailing around the characters in this case was new.
In particular, the nitty-gritties of how a restaurant kitchen is run, the work distribution among the kitchen staff – the chef and their multiple assistants, how menus are tried and finalized, significance of the various courses of a meal – make the book an interesting read.
The appeal of the story lies in Sita’s character which is realistic and relatable all through the story. Moreover, the evolution of Sita’s character is organic. Arun’s character carries the charm that will hold the reader till the end, as the layers to his character are revealed slowly.
The story contrasts the lives of the protagonists Sita and Arun well, especially through their perception of following passion and building a career around it.
For a debut novel, Raghav has done a fabulous job, and his command over the world of food is evident.
The story also has the relevant contemporary touch with ample references to the world battling the pandemic – travel restrictions, face shields, among others.
The quaint life of the hills from Himachal and the cosmopolitan sprint in London are well portrayed in the narration, as the reader is taken around the alleys of London with its myriad hues of dark, cloudy days, always synonymous with the mood of Sita.
Pick this one for a heart-warming tale about food, family, passion and dreams.
https://tsbookclub.wordpress.com/2022...
Sita Pandit, resident of a small village in Himachal Pradesh, ran The Midway Café along with her father Hira Lal Pandit.
What was once a tiny roadside tea stall catering to passing truck drivers has been given a facelift by Sita and transformed into a modest café. She did this without attending any culinary school or formal training in cooking.
While on a short trip to India, London-based restaurant owner Arun Mehra and his assistant Ben chance upon authentic Italian dishes at The Midway Café.
Shocked by the tasty dishes made by a young twenty-something village girl, who has never travelled beyond Shimla, Arun is bent on hiring Sita as chef for his London restaurant, which was grappling to sustain its customers.
After much hesitation, Sita agrees to move to London, hoping to make her impossible dream come true.
Will Sita be able to adjust to the new challenges that awaited her in Arun’s restaurant? Will she live up to Arun’s trust in her unexplored talent? Answers to these questions form the rest of the story.
Sita’s kitchen is the story of a girl from a simple background. She learns cooking out of her curiosity to explore world cuisines, especially Italian dishes, after she receives a cookbook as gift from a travelling couple. She later enhances her skills using internet sources and YouTube.
While the premise of a small-town girl moving abroad to succeed in her career is a known, the detailing around the characters in this case was new.
In particular, the nitty-gritties of how a restaurant kitchen is run, the work distribution among the kitchen staff – the chef and their multiple assistants, how menus are tried and finalized, significance of the various courses of a meal – make the book an interesting read.
The appeal of the story lies in Sita’s character which is realistic and relatable all through the story. Moreover, the evolution of Sita’s character is organic. Arun’s character carries the charm that will hold the reader till the end, as the layers to his character are revealed slowly.
The story contrasts the lives of the protagonists Sita and Arun well, especially through their perception of following passion and building a career around it.
For a debut novel, Raghav has done a fabulous job, and his command over the world of food is evident.
The story also has the relevant contemporary touch with ample references to the world battling the pandemic – travel restrictions, face shields, among others.
The quaint life of the hills from Himachal and the cosmopolitan sprint in London are well portrayed in the narration, as the reader is taken around the alleys of London with its myriad hues of dark, cloudy days, always synonymous with the mood of Sita.
Pick this one for a heart-warming tale about food, family, passion and dreams.
December 20, 2021
Sitas kitchen is a story about a girl, her talent, her dreams and how she manages to achieve it all.
It’s an underdog story which makes you feel good and happy. The vocabulary is simple, the story is fast paced and the plot keeps on moving ahead making reading a breeze.
It’s a story about Sita, a girl who lives in a small town in Himachal, who has learned her cooking from YouTube and various TV shows; she turns her modest tea stall of her father into a café restaurant which would target foreign tourists instead of truck drivers.
She serves Italian dishes like the Tiramisu, Lasagna, Aglio olio in her own style and many more dishes which one may never imagine to be served in a place like this.
Accidentally, Arun, owner of London’s top Italian restaurant comes and dines at her place and is totally bowled over by her cuisine. He offers her a job which she refuses, but Arun keeps on pestering her until she accepts his offer.
She and her father go to London, and then she experiences Real Top Restaurant kitchen life which she is not prepared for. The author has very well described the back of the house moments and the contribution of Real Life Chefs is reflected in this part of the book who are acknowledged at the end of the book.
The way Sita is treated in the London kitchen by other staff, their attitude in general and the description of the way a real kitchen operates is all portrayed very well in the book.
Does Sita achieve her dream of becoming a top chef in a place like London or it remains elusive as a dream, to get to know more, you need to read Sita’s Kitchen.
The story is short and sweet and to the point. At no moment does it feel boring or stagnated, more often than not, the reader would finish the book in one go.
Recommended if you are looking for a light hearted feel good story to read.
It’s an underdog story which makes you feel good and happy. The vocabulary is simple, the story is fast paced and the plot keeps on moving ahead making reading a breeze.
It’s a story about Sita, a girl who lives in a small town in Himachal, who has learned her cooking from YouTube and various TV shows; she turns her modest tea stall of her father into a café restaurant which would target foreign tourists instead of truck drivers.
She serves Italian dishes like the Tiramisu, Lasagna, Aglio olio in her own style and many more dishes which one may never imagine to be served in a place like this.
Accidentally, Arun, owner of London’s top Italian restaurant comes and dines at her place and is totally bowled over by her cuisine. He offers her a job which she refuses, but Arun keeps on pestering her until she accepts his offer.
She and her father go to London, and then she experiences Real Top Restaurant kitchen life which she is not prepared for. The author has very well described the back of the house moments and the contribution of Real Life Chefs is reflected in this part of the book who are acknowledged at the end of the book.
The way Sita is treated in the London kitchen by other staff, their attitude in general and the description of the way a real kitchen operates is all portrayed very well in the book.
Does Sita achieve her dream of becoming a top chef in a place like London or it remains elusive as a dream, to get to know more, you need to read Sita’s Kitchen.
The story is short and sweet and to the point. At no moment does it feel boring or stagnated, more often than not, the reader would finish the book in one go.
Recommended if you are looking for a light hearted feel good story to read.
December 29, 2021
Arun and Ben visited The Midway cafe , during their business trip. Menu is filled with various dishes from different parts of world. Arun is owner of An Italian Restaurant in London, after knowing Sita's cooking qualities he want to take her London?
🤔What struggle , loss or happiness she get?
Read the book to know the Answers.
Review
🌻Book is written in Moderate language. Both beginners and Pro readers can enjoy this book. Author have done good research to mention details of London and Food.
🌻 Book have a lot to be annotated. This book offers a lot of New dishes fusion of Indian Italian food. Variety of Pastas, sauces were mentioned. There is also tips and tricks for Being a Good Chef.
Major Themes - Colonialism, Food
💫 Story is so much interesting it kept me hooked till the end.
💫Life is so cruel for some. I loved the character of Sita how much she faced , what she lost. But still there is a hope she kept alive in her heart.
💫The part where she returned to India is so thought evoking. Society judges a girl in such ways that relatives have dark sides. The way her relatives want her property or The phone call of her cousin is based on such bitter realities of society.
💫 I loved the Way Sita decorate her cafe or dishes. Just wow!! I never read such thing. She used videos or books to became such a pro. Even while she lack the resources, she utilised those which she own.
💫Ben, a Gay represented A good character. Being kind and helping he played a vital role in Sita's journey.
💫 Character of Butcher in London Cafe, khan Uncle , he was one who played a crucial role in Sita's settlement, by his supportive nature.
💫Ending of book is so emotional for me. I haven't imagined for this.
🤔What struggle , loss or happiness she get?
Read the book to know the Answers.
Review
🌻Book is written in Moderate language. Both beginners and Pro readers can enjoy this book. Author have done good research to mention details of London and Food.
🌻 Book have a lot to be annotated. This book offers a lot of New dishes fusion of Indian Italian food. Variety of Pastas, sauces were mentioned. There is also tips and tricks for Being a Good Chef.
Major Themes - Colonialism, Food
💫 Story is so much interesting it kept me hooked till the end.
💫Life is so cruel for some. I loved the character of Sita how much she faced , what she lost. But still there is a hope she kept alive in her heart.
💫The part where she returned to India is so thought evoking. Society judges a girl in such ways that relatives have dark sides. The way her relatives want her property or The phone call of her cousin is based on such bitter realities of society.
💫 I loved the Way Sita decorate her cafe or dishes. Just wow!! I never read such thing. She used videos or books to became such a pro. Even while she lack the resources, she utilised those which she own.
💫Ben, a Gay represented A good character. Being kind and helping he played a vital role in Sita's journey.
💫 Character of Butcher in London Cafe, khan Uncle , he was one who played a crucial role in Sita's settlement, by his supportive nature.
💫Ending of book is so emotional for me. I haven't imagined for this.
January 27, 2022
I love to read and know about people who are self made. Their stories inspire me to hone my skills and follow my passion fearlessly. After all we are nothing without our dreams. Dead living inside a human body!
Sita's Kitchen is a story of Sita and her passion for cooking. She is a self-made cook who not only makes food from her culture but explores food from different countries and region. She has the knack of giving perfect flavors to dishes so that they retain their real essence. Ben and Arun are on a business trip to Kinnaur where they halt at a cafe named The Midnight Cafe. They satiate their hunger in this magnificent yet soothing cafe where Sita prepares Italian food for them. Arun who is a restaurateur in London feels impressed with the food and its taste. He wants to offer Sita a chance to go to London and pursue her passion on a grand scale. Sita who is reluctant initially due to personal reasons, she agrees to go there. Little did she know that life would throw plethora of challenges on her way on reaching London. But what is life without challenges?
This is such a beautiful and heartwarming journey that I witnessed through this book. There is beauty in everything that the author has described in his book. The narration is so clear that you can imagine everything and get lost in it. The characters are detailed and charming. I love stories about struggles, courage and resilience. The ending of this book was written with so much depth and warmth that it melted my heart. Not just the ending but there were many moments where I felt connected to Sita and her journey. This book is for all those who have dreamed once and continue to do so. To people who never give up on finding themselves. This is for you.
Sita's Kitchen is a story of Sita and her passion for cooking. She is a self-made cook who not only makes food from her culture but explores food from different countries and region. She has the knack of giving perfect flavors to dishes so that they retain their real essence. Ben and Arun are on a business trip to Kinnaur where they halt at a cafe named The Midnight Cafe. They satiate their hunger in this magnificent yet soothing cafe where Sita prepares Italian food for them. Arun who is a restaurateur in London feels impressed with the food and its taste. He wants to offer Sita a chance to go to London and pursue her passion on a grand scale. Sita who is reluctant initially due to personal reasons, she agrees to go there. Little did she know that life would throw plethora of challenges on her way on reaching London. But what is life without challenges?
This is such a beautiful and heartwarming journey that I witnessed through this book. There is beauty in everything that the author has described in his book. The narration is so clear that you can imagine everything and get lost in it. The characters are detailed and charming. I love stories about struggles, courage and resilience. The ending of this book was written with so much depth and warmth that it melted my heart. Not just the ending but there were many moments where I felt connected to Sita and her journey. This book is for all those who have dreamed once and continue to do so. To people who never give up on finding themselves. This is for you.
January 25, 2022
Sita runs a mid-way cafe in a little Himalayan village along with her father. The cafe is the impersonation of Sita's passion for cooking. It has been converted from a tea stall, run originally by her father, into a cafe serving multiple cuisines, especially Italian food.
Arun and his assistant, Ben come across the cafe on an official trip to India. Arun is a restaurateur in London and is impressed by Sita's culinary skills. He offers her a job in his restaurant.
The book is all about Sita's journey to London, the hardships she faces and her success amidst all the chaos and loss.
The book is written in simple and easy to comprehend language. A lot of food related research is done extremely well by the author. The descriptions of various dishes and the spices that are used to cook them are brilliantly imbibed in the story.
It's a coming of age story of Sita and I am glad that author has stayed away from the cliche and stuck to the central theme of the book. I specifically liked how the book ends with Sita making some interesting decisions. There is also a little cliffhanger at the end which makes me feel there could be another book in the offing.
#bookhoarderrecommendation - The book can be read and enjoyed by adults as well as teenagers.
Arun and his assistant, Ben come across the cafe on an official trip to India. Arun is a restaurateur in London and is impressed by Sita's culinary skills. He offers her a job in his restaurant.
The book is all about Sita's journey to London, the hardships she faces and her success amidst all the chaos and loss.
The book is written in simple and easy to comprehend language. A lot of food related research is done extremely well by the author. The descriptions of various dishes and the spices that are used to cook them are brilliantly imbibed in the story.
It's a coming of age story of Sita and I am glad that author has stayed away from the cliche and stuck to the central theme of the book. I specifically liked how the book ends with Sita making some interesting decisions. There is also a little cliffhanger at the end which makes me feel there could be another book in the offing.
#bookhoarderrecommendation - The book can be read and enjoyed by adults as well as teenagers.
April 8, 2024
Set in the cozy , picturesque lap of the hills of Himachal to the bustling sounds of busy London and its night life this was a beautiful journey of a mountain girl's dreams and aspirations to be a Chef and be recognized for her love for Italian cuisine while also blending it with her own creative twist from her homeland - India. Brimming with fervor and the promise of a new future - this story opened its doors to the culinary world and the lives of food connoisseurs, restaurant owners and especially Chefs and all that love and dedication which goes into creating a dish while also balancing it with the grit and practicality of holding your station when it all boils down to professionalism.The flow and pace of the story was almost like a river - gentle and beautifully balanced , sprinkled with its nuggets of wisdom shared amongst the different charachters at play - and the variance in world building was charming giving a glimpse into different walks of life and society as a whole .This is definitely a book I would like to return to atleast once every year for its wisdom, charisma, comfort and warmth!
December 12, 2021
Sita's Kitchen is a riveting tale about a young Himalayan girl and her hidden culinary talent. Navigating between the quaint hills of Himachal Pradesh and the bustling life of London, the book takes you on a delightful journey of an Indian girl stepping out of her comfort zone and facing life's challenges to ultimately follow her aspiration of being a professional chef. The author's talent as a film-maker is reflected in the vivid description be provides of life in Himachal and London. For anyone who has travelled around these places, the book is bound to bring nostalgia. Another fascinating feature of the book is the knowledge and sensitivity with which details of food have been dealt with. The experience will surely leave your mouth watering.
It is a refreshingly engaging story that comes as a breath of fresh air during these pandemic times. As travel restrictions ease, the book would make a great companion for your next journey. Do consider grabbing a copy as Sita's adventure is worth following.
It is a refreshingly engaging story that comes as a breath of fresh air during these pandemic times. As travel restrictions ease, the book would make a great companion for your next journey. Do consider grabbing a copy as Sita's adventure is worth following.
January 5, 2022
Raghav Khanna's writing excels on whatever parameter you choose to judge the book on. Facts, on point. Narration, on point. Characters, on point. Pace, on point. There is nothing about this book that put me off for even a single second. Worth mentioning, among a whole lot of things, are the two PoVs the author chooses to narrate the story through: Sita's and Ben's. One expected, one unexpected. The trend of writing a story from multiple PoVs is catching on, but this one is a very refreshing value add to the trend. What is even more outstanding is how, through these two PoVs, the author paints a layered image of Arun. Brilliant! The author's choice of vocabulary is another thing that impressed me a lot. He sticks to a very simple, non-complex telling, but weaves his words beautifully.One of the most well-done things about this story is Sita's relationship arc with the various characters in the story. Especially with Arun. It is predictable, of course, yet beautiful.
June 25, 2022
The easy thing about being a chef is to make delicious food but the difficult part is to meet the customer's expectations consistently. The quality of tomatoes is not the same? Too bad; the chef still has to make the same dish."
.
From Indian- Buttery Potato Parathas and Poha to Italian- Pizza Contadina, Pasta Fagioli and Ribolita along with the Fusion- Nihari Ossobuco, Aglio Olio and Seared Salmon Malabari- the names and its description in the book are enough to intimidate our salivary glands.
A journey that started from a small café in the mountainous village of Himachal Pradesh landed in lavish restaurant of London. Sita’s Kitchen introduces us with this high- spirited girl in her twenties with a passion of cooking and taking her art into another exceptional level of culinary. From being somewhat hesitant in widening her wings to thriving in one of the glamorous kitchen environments, this story of her is an example of hardwork, passion, and a will to never give up. All thanks to Arun and his friend Ben to recognise her potential and providing with the opportunity.
I loved how Sita’s character has been depicted throughout the book. Initially I was confused with her part of narration, considering her being a villager and school dropout. But she turned out to be quite a smart girl with academically sound and updated with the modernity. Her wit has been her powerful tool. I wanted more of Arun’s part, and that their chemistry would’ve been a delight to the readers. No wonder, the author tried to put some of the spark between them, I was expecting a little more of their part together. Ben was such a sweetheart. Khan Chacha’s role was well justified.
The story in the book is dominated by the mouth-watering food dishes, their preparation, garnishing, fusion, tasting and what not. The art of cooking food is aptly depicted through her skills.
Narration was superb with the right building of words, esp related to cuisines. The pace was remarkable throughout the book making it an unputdownable read. Dreams, emotions, jealousy, vulnerability, boldness and friendships are the highlights of the book.
.
From Indian- Buttery Potato Parathas and Poha to Italian- Pizza Contadina, Pasta Fagioli and Ribolita along with the Fusion- Nihari Ossobuco, Aglio Olio and Seared Salmon Malabari- the names and its description in the book are enough to intimidate our salivary glands.
A journey that started from a small café in the mountainous village of Himachal Pradesh landed in lavish restaurant of London. Sita’s Kitchen introduces us with this high- spirited girl in her twenties with a passion of cooking and taking her art into another exceptional level of culinary. From being somewhat hesitant in widening her wings to thriving in one of the glamorous kitchen environments, this story of her is an example of hardwork, passion, and a will to never give up. All thanks to Arun and his friend Ben to recognise her potential and providing with the opportunity.
I loved how Sita’s character has been depicted throughout the book. Initially I was confused with her part of narration, considering her being a villager and school dropout. But she turned out to be quite a smart girl with academically sound and updated with the modernity. Her wit has been her powerful tool. I wanted more of Arun’s part, and that their chemistry would’ve been a delight to the readers. No wonder, the author tried to put some of the spark between them, I was expecting a little more of their part together. Ben was such a sweetheart. Khan Chacha’s role was well justified.
The story in the book is dominated by the mouth-watering food dishes, their preparation, garnishing, fusion, tasting and what not. The art of cooking food is aptly depicted through her skills.
Narration was superb with the right building of words, esp related to cuisines. The pace was remarkable throughout the book making it an unputdownable read. Dreams, emotions, jealousy, vulnerability, boldness and friendships are the highlights of the book.
December 4, 2021
An engrossing book about a young girl and her dream of becoming a professional chef. The plot is so engaging that once you start reading you'd like to finish it in a couple of sittings. It takes the reader on a nostalgic journey from quaint cafes that dot colonial hill stations of India to the bustling metropolis of London, following the emotional adventures of a young Indian girl. The author who has been the creative force behind several popular TV shows displays his forte as a master storyteller in yet another medium and I look forward to his next book!
January 25, 2022
Author's inclination and in-depth knowledge of culinary arts comes from his profession but to toss in the characters, the ambience, poetry, a pinch of drama, conflict and all that, and skillfully plating it for the readers, makes this one a delectable and a must read at that. ©️
Read the entire review on my blog - https://ofbookbabiesandmore.wordpress...
Read the entire review on my blog - https://ofbookbabiesandmore.wordpress...
February 8, 2025
This story has certain kind of warmth, comfort, nostalgia and it is high on emotions.
Being said, high on emotions but in a positive way, inspiring and somehow you connect with phrases , thoughts of the characters in this book.
I think it should have a part -2 as well…what happened between Sita and Arun later? Will Sita move back to London…!!!
Being said, high on emotions but in a positive way, inspiring and somehow you connect with phrases , thoughts of the characters in this book.
I think it should have a part -2 as well…what happened between Sita and Arun later? Will Sita move back to London…!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews