I first started getting into the rhythm of making delicious curry at the beginning of my food journey and soon learned that a curry can be a somewhat daunting dish to make.
There are so many different types of curries and methods of cooking them. Just choosing one and preparing the ingredients and aromatics can be an overwhelming process.
However, it is such a delicious dish that opens you up to a whole new variety of cuisines and flavours that it is worth taking the time to learn how to make it.
In my search to find good curry recipes on social media, I recently came across Shae Nair, who is also known as “Durban’s Curry Queen”.
Nair teaches foodies the art of cooking a “proper” curry.
Independent Media Lifestyle caught up with the passionate cook to hear how her love for curry started and how she turned her passion into a business.
Nair is a primary school teacher by day, who spends her evenings and weekends teaching people how to make authentic curries.
Born in Durban, growing up in a smallholding in Cliffdale, she pursued a career in education after matriculating.
Nair said when she wasn’t busy with school would spend her time with her mom in the kitchen, which is how her passion for cooking curries began.
“I am a cook, I love to experiment with ingredients and try new curry recipes. Besides the cooking lessons, I host curry evenings at clients' homes and also cater for small events, and family dinners and parties. People love my fresh home-cooked curries,” she said.
Nair started her cooking lessons in 2019. She said she often saw people ask for curry recommendations on social media sites and that is when the idea struck.
“Why not teach people how to cook curries? Ever since I started the response has been amazing. When I started, I had to think of a name fast. ‘The Curry Queen’ stood out as my husband always praised me as being the queen of curries.”
“I have followers all over South Africa, and abroad. Locals do almost all my lessons whilst people visiting SA come for a curry experience. I teach people about the spices and how to use it to create their own flavourful curries.
“There are over 26 curry lessons, the most popular being butter chicken and naan, and chicken breyani and mutton curry bunnies.
“I use my mom's recipes which I share with everyone attending. I also mix my own masala, which has become a favourite and gets couriered far and wide,” said Nair.
She said lessons are on weekends and some weekday evenings at the comfort of her home in Hillcrest Park.
“Lessons are beginner-friendly, so anyone can join. I also host team building, friends and family get-togethers, and corporate events during the school holidays. I can accommodate up to 14 people in one class.
“What I love about my lessons is seeing how I inspire people to cook. I compile simple recipes that are easy to comprehend, and give people the confidence to try new recipes.
“People that never cooked are now cooking tasty home-cooked curries, using fresh ingredients and spices.”
“I love curries, no doubt. It is comfort food, it warms you up from the inside and leaves flavours dancing in your pallet. It's people's favourite food. Growing up I have fond memories of when all my aunts would create huge pots of different curries to dine in the evenings,” said Nair.
Asked about her future plans, she said, “It is to publish a recipe book, not right away, but some time later.”