Rhodes Across India
Bushra Akram
"Food has always been an incredibly important part of my life. Growing up, mealtimes in the Akram house were a huge occasion- in fact anything related to food was, and still is, and that’s a tradition that’s still very much alive with me. I’ve been working as a media lawyer for the past 6 years, but I’ve also as a hobby pursued my passion for my style of Pakistani home cooked food by catering a number of private dinner parties over the years.
"Being part of this programme was a truly amazing experience - I had the time of my life both in terms of the people I met, the cities I visited and the copious amounts of food I ate! There are huge regional variations in Indian cuisine, each region has something uniquely special to offer whether it’s a cooking technique or use of a particular spice. The overwhelming feeling I came back with is the level of passion and love that goes into the preparation of each dish is something special and that’s something very close to my heart too.
"I picked up so many new techniques, flavours and spices (quite literally- I brought home a sack of Kashmiri chillis!), and have since been incorporating all these new elements into my cooking. I’ve always wanted to take my cooking further and being part of the programme only confirmed that to me. I’ve now launched my style of private dinner party catering to a wider audience www.bushraakram.com
My ultimate long term dream is to own and run my own restaurant, and now I’m ever more determined to achieve that goal.
Highlights
"I loved, loved my Dehli Street Food experience. I think street food should be about strong punchy flavours and great taste sensations which burst alive in your mouth, and Dehli street food delivered on all counts and more. From spicy, tangy chick peas, to my old time childhood favourite deep fried syrup soaked jalebbis and a street filled with amazing flaky parathe- what more could a girl ask for! Needless to say that my suitcase stuffed with numerous saris and bangles was not the only overweight thing to return to London!
"I absolutely fell in love with Jodhpur and Rohet Gahr, and my memories of meeting the local Bishnoi villagers are incredibly special. I found the serene beauty of their surroundings, their overwhelming generosity and the simple code by which they live their lives simply breathtaking. I fell in love with the kids and their huge smiles.
"One of my outstanding highlights has got to be staying at the Umaid Bhawan palace and meeting and interviewing the Maharaja- certainly not what this girl from the East end of London ever expected to be doing!"
"Being part of this programme was a truly amazing experience - I had the time of my life both in terms of the people I met, the cities I visited and the copious amounts of food I ate! There are huge regional variations in Indian cuisine, each region has something uniquely special to offer whether it’s a cooking technique or use of a particular spice. The overwhelming feeling I came back with is the level of passion and love that goes into the preparation of each dish is something special and that’s something very close to my heart too.
"I picked up so many new techniques, flavours and spices (quite literally- I brought home a sack of Kashmiri chillis!), and have since been incorporating all these new elements into my cooking. I’ve always wanted to take my cooking further and being part of the programme only confirmed that to me. I’ve now launched my style of private dinner party catering to a wider audience www.bushraakram.com
My ultimate long term dream is to own and run my own restaurant, and now I’m ever more determined to achieve that goal.
Highlights
"I loved, loved my Dehli Street Food experience. I think street food should be about strong punchy flavours and great taste sensations which burst alive in your mouth, and Dehli street food delivered on all counts and more. From spicy, tangy chick peas, to my old time childhood favourite deep fried syrup soaked jalebbis and a street filled with amazing flaky parathe- what more could a girl ask for! Needless to say that my suitcase stuffed with numerous saris and bangles was not the only overweight thing to return to London!
"I absolutely fell in love with Jodhpur and Rohet Gahr, and my memories of meeting the local Bishnoi villagers are incredibly special. I found the serene beauty of their surroundings, their overwhelming generosity and the simple code by which they live their lives simply breathtaking. I fell in love with the kids and their huge smiles.
"One of my outstanding highlights has got to be staying at the Umaid Bhawan palace and meeting and interviewing the Maharaja- certainly not what this girl from the East end of London ever expected to be doing!"
