Manali Jobanputra

Hey there! I'm Manali, from the vibrant city of Pune, India. A concoction of a passionate writer, an ardent foodie, and an avid traveler, all rolled into one. I'm a culinary wordsmith, that will make your taste buds tingle with excitement.

I began writing back in college and initially wrote poetry and fiction. My poetry was first published in 2016 in a book that was a compilation of literature on a blog website.

I later transitioned into other forms of writing like travelogues, copywriting, recipes etc. Other than writing, I love learning about different cultures, food and languages.

During my stint as a teacher, I worked in Mexico for a few months and it was one of the most memorable travel experiences ever. I learned to cook some Mexican dishes, took dance lessons and also learned Spanish.

I am also an avid traveler, constantly seeking out new destinations to explore and immersing myself in different cultures. The thrill of discovering hidden gems and meeting interesting people along the way is something that fuels my wanderlust.

I’m truly excited to be here, to share my gastronomic expertise, create recipes and indulge in some virtual cultural exchange.

Experience

My journey started back in school when my mum, whom I fondly call Maa, introduced me to the kitchen. At first, I was more of an enthusiastic "foodie" than a confident cook. The idea of taking on the responsibilities of cooking seemed daunting.

But everything changed when I moved away for college. I found myself in a situation where I had no choice but to roll up my sleeves and embrace the cooking adventure. In those moments of uncertainty, my lifeline became the daily video calls with Maa. She would patiently guide me through each recipe, sharing her invaluable cooking wisdom. To ensure I didn't forget any crucial details, I took notes on my phone, creating my personal cooking reference guide. which I refer to, to this day.

To my surprise, Not only did I enjoy cooking, but was also good at it. My friends quickly became fans of my culinary creations. This meant, I made some extra cash on weekends, as I cooked and sold some special Guajarati dishes, which were a hot favorite among my peers.

My cooking skills proved invaluable during my time in Mexico, especially since I'm a vegetarian and finding suitable food options was sometimes challenging. Not only did my culinary abilities help me survive, but they also helped me bring the authentic taste of India to my Mexican friends' palates. Cooking traditional dishes for them was a delightful way for me to engage in a deep cultural exchange like never before. I learned some Mexican dishes and in return taught some Indian ones.

To me, cooking has transformed from a necessity into an exciting journey of flavors and creativity. It's not just about satisfying my taste buds but also about delighting others with each bite.

Education

I hold a bachelors degree in Microbiology from Pune University.

Some other accredited certificates I hold include -

- TESOL - American TESOL Institute
- IELTS Teacher Trainer - British Council
- Bach Remedies - Bach Center, UK

About The Spruce Eats

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