About This Blog
How I got Here
In 1984, I walked into Shalimar Indian Restaurant in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. I was selling an ad for a restaurant magazine and the owner of the restaurant, Mr. Singh, bought a full page. I had never tasted indian food and only remembered curry as a never used spice jar in my mother's kitchen. I've learned a little bit since then. Like when you call and ask for Mr. Singh, the inevitable response will be, "Which one?" I have also developed a great love for Indian Cuisine and Indian Restaurants. I cook it. I serve it. I seek out new dishes and recipes. I try new restaurants. I want to share all of that with you, so let's begin.
Mission & Vision
Cooking & Eating
In this blog we will explore the incredible variety of styles and ingredients that exist on the sub-continent of india. I am always shocked when I do a search and am presented with a dish or a cooking method I've never heard of. But it happens regularly. I just looked up the national dish of India. Even after 40 years, it was new to me. Khichdi. I cooked it. Delicious. We'll talk spices, herbs, restaurants, cooking utensils, and everything else I can think of. It should be fun.
My name is John Vellela. I have spent the last forty years marketing, designing, photographing and enjoying Indian restaurants, their owners, and especially, their food. I have the insight of a non-Indian mixed with the many, often conflicting views of first and second generation Indian restauteurs, but I take full reposibility for whatever I say here. Your comments are welcome. I can take it.
