Book: A Tale of Two Kitchens
Author: Lata Gwalani
Illustrator: Anitha Rajagopal
Photographer: Nikhil Bendre
Publisher: Amaryllis Publishing
I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Do you think that food is something that binds us across cultures?
Every recipe here is more than a meal—it is a memory, a bond, a
celebration of the love that lingers long after the last bite. Two reigning
queens of their kitchens, a Tamilian mother and a Sindhi mother-in-law, turned
an exchange of recipes into a lifelong bond. What began with a handful of
spices grew into a friendship that transcended language, culture, and
geography. A Tale of Two Kitchens is not just a book of recipes—it’s a memoir
of love, resilience, and the magic of food. From tangy tamarind rasam to
comforting Sindhi kadhi, every dish carries a story, a memory, a moment of
laughter shared between two remarkable women. As their daughter and
daughter-in-law, Lata Gwalani had the privilege of inheriting both their
kitchens—and blending them into her own. These pages are her tribute: a
collection of flavours and stories that show how food can unite, heal, and
celebrate.
Lata’s book is a wonderful tribute to a cross-cultural household that she lives in. The book explores the idea of how tastes and cooking can be poles apart, as well as almost identical across culinary cultures. Throughout the book, Lata keeps you intrigued with very interesting anecdotes from the household, as well as the dishes she covers in the book. The thing that stands out in the book is the fact that, while the book is non-fiction, it is told as a story and you are hooked enough to keep turning the pages. Another aspect of the book that is appreciable is that some of the anecdotes are relatable because we have also seen similar situations play out in our homes as well. Lata’s cheek and wit is something to be commended, and through out the book, she has these quips hidden in the text that will make you smile. Lata’s memoir is not just a recall of the stories of the kitchens, or some cooking hacks, she presents a heart-warming picture of two women, who came from distinctly different culinary backgrounds, but strived to find a balance and a commonality of flavours that became this kitchen, and Lata got to pick the best of the both worlds.
Apart from the text, what makes the book stand out are its illustrations
and the photographs of the food. The wonderful illustrations on each page
demonstrating the fruits, vegetables, utensils, and the two mothers were
something that is breathtaking and keeps you engaged into the book. The
photographs are droolworthy, and would inspire you to try some of the recipes
that Lata presents to us.
Overall, the book is an interesting and engaging read, specially if you love food, and stories about food. The book scores a 4.88/5 for me.
Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a bookstore near you.
