Chef Kamini Pather, known for capturing the hearts of South African audiences after winning "MasterChef South Africa" in 2013, is back with an exciting new cookbook, “All Dahl’d Up”.
A delightful celebration of flavours that intertwines cultural heritage with contemporary cuisine, this collection offers home cooks an enticing glimpse into her vibrant world.
Pather’s rise to prominence is as multifaceted as her culinary creations. With a career spanning corporate presentations, sports events, and television show hosting, she has captivated audiences with her innate ability to blend storytelling, recipes, and gastronomic inspiration.
Her cooking act draws on her "MasterChef" experience alongside the rich tapestry of her travels.
As she reflects on her upbringing in 1990s SA, Pather recounts the unique perspectives of being one of the few people of colour in her school. “I remember the dining tables at home versus those of my friends,” she reminisces, highlighting how her mother’s fusion lunchboxes bridged various worlds.
These experiences shaped her understanding of food as an expression of identity, a theme that resonates strongly throughout her new cookbook.
“I needed to tell my story through the plate,” Pather shares with “Independent Media Lifestyle" when asked about her motivation for writing cookbooks. Her latest work represents not just a compilation of dishes, but also a heartfelt narrative enriched by her family's culinary legacy.
Pather describes “All Dahl’d Up” as “ancestrally-derived recipes that have been updated through ingredients and techniques - the old world has been given some fancy.”
Within the pages of this incredible book, readers will find a melting pot of classic recipes, including comforting potato curry with nigella seeds, fragrant hot water roti, traditional rasam, and indulgent Sunday chicken curry.
However, Pather has infused her culinary heritage with modern twists, expertly reflecting her multicultural background and innovative spirit.
The journey of creating a cookbook isn’t without its challenges. Pather recalls the tremendous discipline required to transform her creative process into a structured manuscript filled with 80 distinct recipes. “Writing recipes is not a natural feat for someone like me who ad-libs,” she admits.
Yet, with the support of Penguin South Africa, the publishing experience became streamlined compared to her prior efforts, such as her short ebook “Eat Glocal", which was shortlisted for a Gourmand Award during the pandemic.
In her humble and down-to-earth manner, she acknowledges the personal nature of cookbook writing - “if people don’t like it, they don’t like parts of me.”
However, her determination to connect with readers is evident as she aims to inspire their culinary adventures: “I hope ‘All Dahl’d Up’ will inspire people to use spices in different ways and rethink how they engage with ingredients.”
Since her triumph on "MasterChef", Pather has transcended from aspiring food writer to a prominent television host, showcasing her culinary talents in popular shows like “Girl Eat World" and serving as a resident chef on SABC’s “Ready Steady Cook”.
With a string of accolades, including Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year and Glamour Woman of the Year, Pather has become a household name, embodying passion not only for cooking but also for a healthier lifestyle, supported by her Health Coach and Nutrition certification.
Pather’s zest for life is equally embodied in her love for running. This athletic passion complements her culinary pursuits and highlights her dedication to holistic well-being.
As she invites readers to explore the numerous flavours and stories within “All Dahl’d Up", Pather continues to demonstrate that the journey of food is a celebration of both heritage and modernity.
∎ “All Dahl’d Up” is now available for purchase, promising to enrich the tables of readers with its exquisite blend of tradition and innovation.