Gourmet Sessions
An authentic culinary experience
An authentic culinary experience
What could be a better souvenir than a completely authentic and easy to cook Rajasthani recipe? At DeraMandawa, the demonstrations are conducted by Shrimati Usha Kumari, the matriarch of the Mandawa family. A keen, enthusiastic cook and instructor, her family recipes and patient instructing style have always delighted our guests.With her you get to cook and taste dishes that you will not find easily in modern day Rajasthan.
Hands on cooking experience in the Zanana Deorhi (Ladies Courtyard) garden of Dera Mandawa, if time permits & guests are inclined, they could have a walk to the food, spice & vegetable market in the pink city before the cooking class accompanied by Mr Sandeep Kasana
The dishes we demonstrate have been in our cuisine for generations. They come with a flavour of the land and wonderful back stories. Here are a few to give you a taste!
A recipe from the 'Cooking delights of the Maharajas' by the Maharaja of Sailana.While on a hunt in the jungle, not many ingredients could be carried or found. As the name suggests this is a recipe for the stranded hunter...
A rustic Rajastani roasted bread,Bati was baked buried in the ground, with daal cooking over the same fire. This was a technique used by pilgrims, travelers, warriors and campers, probably to save fuel...
Most Indians would never believe that papadams which are a savoury could be made into a tasty curry dish eaten with BATIA (the rajasthani style paratha)
"My wife and another couple had arranged for an Indian cookery class at the DeraMandawa 'homestay' whilst visiting Jaipur. We were welcomed by our host Mr. Durga Singh into his plush drawing room where he offered us welcome G&T's and told us a little about his family and his passion for Indian food. After introducing his wife, Mrs Singh invited us into the leafy courtyard and the marble topped counter where the cookery class was to begin. After a fascinating demonstration from Mrs Singh we were invited in turn to try our hand at preparing aloo paratha, vegetable paneer and a delicious chicken masala under the watchful eye of our host."
Although we were not staying with Mr & Mrs Singh at their small hotel the evening was something special and one of our trip highlights. We would have no hesitation in staying at the DeraMandawa hotel should we be passing through Jaipur again. Can't wait to 'try this at home'
- terry_lovett ,Cambridge, United Kingdom
October 2017
"We didn't stay at this property, although it looked very welcoming, but we did do a cooking experience evening. This turned out to be one of the best evenings of our holiday. Mr Singh - our host - was witty, charming, and very welcoming. The cooking was all done outside, where we ate bread cooked in a camel dung fire made on the ground, and mutton barbecue, while we sipped wine and beer as Mr Singh introduced the order of events for the evening. Then it was on to the garden to start cooking - (aprons provided). We made a series of dishes, including how to make paneer, chicken masala, masala potatoes, Baingan Bharta, and chapatti. The evening was light hearted, and it didn't matter if you were a novice cook. Everybody comes away with a nicely covered set of typed recipes to try at home, and a handmade gift. I would highly recommend this experience - it was highlight of our stay in Jaipur"
- trendymum50, Brighton, United Kingdom
November
"We had a wonderful experience cooking with the charming wife of our host at Dera Mendawa. We learned all about the different spices used in Indian cooking and what was included in the curry box. The food we prepared was delicious and the interaction priceless"
- Jane B, Marco Island, Florida
4 November 2017
"We came to Dera Mandawa for a cooking class within the beautiful Haveli. The lovely Usha taught us some wonderful traditional Rajasthani dishes - a feat for terrible cooks like us - and her staff were attentive and thoughtful throughout. I can't recommend this experience highly enough"
- Rebecca R
October 2016
Experiences at DeraMandawa are not the usual affair. We have curated activities that are drawn from our own childhoods. These are our most cherished games, our most authentic dishes, and the most unique aspects of our culture that you will love to remember.
