Enjoy an Indian Cuisine with Chandani Indian and Catering Cookery School

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you how much I love Indian foods; whether I’m at a restaurant or at a friends house. So receiving an invitation to try out real authentic Indian food with Chandani Indian And Catering Cookery School placed a huge smile on my stomach and, in a big way.

Chandani was a high-end cuisine restaurant out in Woodstock with a sister called Namaste Chandani. Unfortunately, I never dined at any of the two places and they closed down but Jagdish Vanzara along with his wife, Dina de Bruyn are back with their new baby, Chandani Indian Catering and Cookery School in their home out in Gardens, Cape Town.

I came hungry and so should you if you’re planning on making the trip to food heaven. The aromas were in the air and my stomach grumbled with excitement. The room is decorated in accents of orange and red, tables are decked and ready for the food to be served.

The experience is a 4-course tasting; all with rich flavours and combinations you never think to work well together.

For the starter, we served with onion Bhajia; something I never tried or heard before. It’s crispy on the outside and light on the inside.

The next course is Dal Maharaja – chickpea and moong lentils. This dish was absolutely delicious. It’s a creamy soup and I swear I tasted beans in there as well but nevertheless, it had a maximum flavour impact on my palate.

Moving along to the main course of the evening and having my wine glass filled up, we served with Murgh Kadai (chicken in spicy onion gravy), brinjal Masala, Jeera Rice (basmati rice with cumin), roti with side dishes containing poppadoms, sambal, and raita. The brinjal was good but its an acquired taste you need to get used too. The rest of the foods were prepared well and I think I might have swiped my finger a few times over the plate. It’s such a fantastic dish to have as an everyday meal.

Desert was quite a surprise for me because I never thought sago pudding would be on the menu and also, I don’t eat anything with sago. However, I don’t shy food away and I sank my spoon right in. It did take me a while to finish the bowl but with sips of wine in-between, it was gone.

Before the evening ended, we were served with a nightcap of Masala Chai tea. It’s a spiced, sweetened black tea mixed with milk which happens to be a popular hot beverage around the world and particularly, in India too.

Something new and unique is always right up my alley and I can’t wait to make a booking with friends and family. They offer catering for any occasion; whether it be a celebration or a work function. They also deliver lunches but only along the Atlantic Seaboard for a minimum of ten people per order.

Their home is open to serve up to 30 guests and you can choose any dish off the extensive menu. If you looking to learn to cook (myself included), they offer Indian cuisine courses consisting of just four classes; learning everything from spices, curries, Indian bread, etc.

If an authentic Indian cuisine is what you after, order their special Curried Monday for collection with all the above courses for only R400 for four. They also have a vegetarian option that includes Dal Maharaja (a combination of chickpea and moong lentils), steamed Basmati rice, sambals, and raita, plus four rotis at R300 per meal for four.

For more information, bookings or any enquires, contact Jagdish Vanzara. | Contact Number: 021 447 7887/079 881 9478 | Email: jagdishvanzara88@gmail.com | Visit: https://www.chandani.co.za 

Until the next adventure.

DISCLAIMER: I was invited to try their cuisines but please note that the opinions are my own. Images were supplied by Purple Pine PR.