So many of the recipes that I come up with have a story. I'm a blogger. It flowed very naturally out of me, but I also knew this was a way to set my recipes apart. A, they are always using interesting ingredients but B, there is always a story behind it.

I'm encouraged because you pick up any food magazine and there's two or three recipes involving Indian spices.

It was improv that really helped me start coming up with recipes and just believe in my instincts. That's why the first recipe I made up was 'I Ain't Chicken Chicken' because I finally felt bold and fearless in the kitchen, which was an entirely new feeling for me.

I've always wanted to be someone with credibility, and I want my food to speak for myself.

The food in south India is the food that I really love because it reminds me of home.

I don't cook fancy every day. I don't think anybody can, nor would it be very good for you.