About Kirit & Nila Desai
We have been partners in the kitchen since 1979.
Food is a necessity for us, but the variety makes it interesting. Being exposed to all different kinds of foods, including exotic Indian cuisine as the world shrinks. A lot of us who are having to stay home are experimenting with cooking ethnic meals at home. Born vegetarians, our hearts are drawn towards traditional Indian dishes.
We are attempting to share what we have learned over the years and help people explore the joy of cooking at home and try to keep it convenient and straightforward. We also hope to learn from your comments and feedback, as well.
We have tempered our culinary inclinations and recipes with various flavor profiles influenced by our past experiences. Living in Texas and Oklahoma for most of our life has changed our taste in favor of Tex-Mex flavors. We previously owned a casual Italian restaurant, Benaglio’s, which allowed us to develop Italian recipes. Traditional Gujarati and flavorful North Indian dishes are where our hearts are.
What you will find here is the culmination of all of these varied tastes and experiences fused to create our Indo-American Recipes. We hope you share our passion with others and feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feedback with us!
Nila Desai
Executive Producer.
Nila was born in Kampala, Uganda, and shifted to London, England, in 1972 when the Dictator, Tyrant, and then President of Uganda Idi Amin expelled all the Indians from Uganda. She spent six months in Gujarat, India, during her move from Uganda to England.
Her parents were from the same area in India as my parent and had a similar background and culinary heritage. Nila cooks exceptional traditional Gujarati foods.
There is a regional Ugandan influence in her culinary repertoire that she brings along with some ingredients with Indo-Ugandan origin.
Nila enjoys cooking for family and friends. She loves watching sports and playing games with children and grandchildren. She is passionate about a clean and organized home. She likes to walk with me and motivate me to accomplish things I set out to do.
Kirit Desai
Cook, recipe writer, videographer, editor and clean up crew.
I grew up in Mumbai (food capital), India, with home-cooked Indian food. A mother who was an outstanding cook helped develop a taste for cooking. I came to the United States in 1972 as a Computer Science (i.e., IT) student.
While working in restaurants to provide for college tuition, I realized my passion for people and food. I apprenticed through the American Culinary Association, practicing what was then known as Continental Cuisine with a specific emphasis on French Cuisine.
My journey went from executive chef to club manager to a successful restaurant owner and a small business owner. My explorations during these times being in Texas and Oklahoma had a heavy Tex-Mex influence. My restaurant (Benaglio’s) business ownership resulted in a substantial Italian cuisine experience as well.
I enjoy gardening, playing with grandkids. I follow technology and business trends. Observe politics from an independent but ethical vantage point. Most of all, I pursue a study in Ancient Indian knowledge, The Bhagavad Geeta, which is an Extract of The Vedas and The Upanishads. The core of Vedic knowledge is that The Creator created this Universe and resides in it. Thus, we are all divine beings. I believe that there needs to be a better understanding of all faiths to co-exist as Human beings.