The cuisine of South India is major attraction. South India’s culinary heritage is quite different from that of the North and as most ‘Indian’ Restaurants in the UK are either North Indian or Bangladeshi you may find that many of the dishes are completely unknown to you. For example avial (vegetable dish) is very popular in Kerala but is rarely found on a menu in this country. Dosa (type of crisp pancake) is a much loved breakfast dish throughout South India. Other popular breakfast items include iddly (steamed rice cakes) and vada (deep fried spicy doughnuts) usually served with sambar and coconut chutney.

Rice is widely grown in South India and vast quantities are eaten by the locals, whereas breads are more popular in the north. Food is mostly cooked in coconut oil (rather than ghee) and vegetarian food is widely available throughout the south. In fact we believe that South India is possibly the easiest place in the world for vegetarians and vegans to travel and eat well.

Most hotels in the south serve the local cuisine but many of the larger hotels will also serve North Indian dishes (many even have a tandoor so can offer naan bread etc) and a limited range of continental dishes. For home cooking we recommend you spend some time in one or more of the numerous homestays that are popping up across South India or stay on a houseboat.

If your interest in food extends from simply eating it to learning to cook it we have compiled a list of accommodation where cookery lessons or demonstrations are offered. This list is growing all the time so please ask us for up to date information.

The places that have been offering cookery lessons for some time are listed below and a click on the link will take you to the main listing.

AYISHA MANZIL
TELLICHERRY, NORTH KERALA
Ayisha Manzil offers a gourmet cookery course called TELLICHERRY PEPPER. This is a ‘hands on’ cookery course (lasting one, two or more days) and specialising in the food of the region. Each day you will have an outing (eg to the fish or spice market) followed by a two hour cookery session when you will prepare one meat dish, one seafood dish, one rice or bread and one dessert. Recipes for all the dishes will be provided at the end. Non-cooking partners are welcomed too as there are plenty of other attractions in the area to amuse them. The hostess at Ayisha Manzil is Faiza, a well known cook who has appeared on TV cookery shows in India and the UK.

MUNDACKAL HOMESTAY
NR THATTEKKAD, KERALA
Daisy Mundackal is famous for her generous spreads of food and guests are often overwhelmed by the range of dishes placed in front of them. The food prepared here is ‘Christian’ which differs from the Muslim Moplah food of North Kerala and Hindu cuisine. Daisy offers ‘hands on’ cookery lessons in her kitchen.

PARADISA PLANTATION
NR THEKKADY, KERALA
Cookery lessons in authentic Kerala cuisine as well as North Indian dishes are available here. Demonstrations are also offered.

CHETTINADU MANSION
CHETTINAD, TAMIL NADU
Chettinad food is mainly meat based (unusual in Tamil Nadu) and you can learn to cook two dishes each day. The session is a demonstration with explanations and recipes.

GITANJALI, MYSORE
KARNATAKA
Here you can have a two to three hour cookery lesson (with printed recipes) learning how to make traditional food from the Coorg region.

NIMMY PAUL
COCHIN, KERALA
Nimmy Paul is a delightful lady who lives in Cochin and offers cookery lessons in her home. The sessions are either at lunch or dinner time and include a lesson followed by a meal. We will arrange the transfers from and back to your hotel. Nimmy’s sessions are very popular not only with our customers but also with groups so, if you want an individual lesson, early booking is recommended.

Note: Cookery lessons must be booked in advance and there will be a charge. Demonstrations are usually complimentary and available to everyone.

Other places offering cookery lessons include

• Mannaas Veedu
• Serenity
• Taj Residency in Trivandrum
• Gateway Hotel, Varkala
• Tranquil in Wayanad
• and almost all the homestays

Hotels that offer cookery demonstrations include

• Spice Village
• Coconut Lagoon
• Marari Beach
• Windermere
• Olive Brook
• River Retreat