Welcome to our savory sanctuary, where we invite you to indulge in culinary journeys through India— a land where every dish tells a story, and every meal is an experience. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter and letting us share our love of India, food and travel with you.
The Gateway of India is an iconic monument in South Mumbai overlooking the Arabian sea. It was built to commemorate the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary and completed in 1924. While initially built to welcome the royal visit, it later became a symbolic ceremonial entrance to India for Viceroys and Governors of Bombay as they arrived by sea. It is a popular tourist spot, and the photo you see above is taken from the fabulous Taj Mahal hotel across from the monument.
Our Diwali tour planned for October 2025 hosted by Chand Sahrawat is filling up fast. It is a small group tour of 15 people and there are still 6 spots available. It is not often that you get to celebrate Diwali in a palace and dine with members of the Royal family. If you are thinking about joining us, then get in touch with us now. Link to the itinerary is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Or you can join us on a Yoga and Meditation Retreat to Rishikesh and Varanasi in September with Susan Allen. We will celebrate Dussera, a festival that is a precursor to Diwali in Rishikesh. And in Varanasi we have planned a fire ceremony in an ancient temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
MUMBAI
Mumbai, the commercial capital of India is a city that never sleeps, but ironically a land of dreams. The modern city of Mumbai was originally a collection of seven islands that were merged through land reclamation projects by the British. With more than 21 million people living here, Mumbai is a melting pot of culture and food.
Mumbai’s local train network is one of the busiest in the world, carrying over 7.5 million commuters daily. With such a large working population, Mumbai’s famous Dabbawalla’s deliver over 200,000 home-cooked lunches to office workers daily with 99.99% accuracy. It is a system studied by business schools worldwide including Harvard. Having worked in Mumbai for 10 years, I have been a part of this incredible network and understand the value it generates for everyone involved.
The food scene in Mumbai is just incredible. Many Bollywood superstars and Indian cricket legends have started their own restaurants… they all want to participate in the food revolution in India. Vada Pav (spicy potato fritter in a bun) is the go-to street food for the poor as well as the elite. Even Bill Gates and Tim Cook have been spotted enjoying this local delicacy whenever they are in Mumbai. The No.1 restaurant in India for 5 years in a row, Masque, is also in Mumbai. Every time we are in Mumbai, a meal at Masque is non-negotiable. 😊
FOODIE TOURS
Why is a culinary tour a great way to experience any country, especially India? Here are 5 great reasons:
- Authentic cultural experience: Food is deeply tied to a region’s history, traditions, and way of life. A foodie tour lets you experience a culture firsthand through its flavors.
- Taste local specialties: Many regional delicacies are hard to find outside their place of origin. A foodie tour gives travelers the chance to taste authentic dishes made by local experts using local ingredients. There are so many hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path eateries to discover.
- Exploration of cities: A food tour can bring a city to life, giving it color and character, and allowing you to appreciate it more than any UNESCO site possibly could.
- Expert guidance: Most foodie tours are led by locals or culinary experts who can share insights into festivals, ingredients, cooking methods, and the stories behind the dishes.
- Great for all types of travelers: Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or with a group, foodie tours provide a shared experience that brings people together over their love for food which can create lasting memories and new friendships.
The concept of Good Food Journeys is simple… it is about letting people experience India through the cuisine and make lives better by giving back. Not just the lives of some of the poor communities in India, but also of the chefs and restaurant owners in India by giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent, genius, and hospitality to the world.
The feedback from guests who travel with us has been amazing. Not only do they love the food and hospitality, but they are also grateful to know that they have made a difference in some way. India is such a great place to get a perspective on life!
INDIAN CUISINE
It is fair to say that Indian cuisine is the most diverse in the world. Call me biassed, but it is perhaps also the best in the world. There are 22 major languages in India, written in 13 different scripts, with almost 800 spoken dialects! There are more than 40 spices cultivated in India and every spice has a purpose, a distinct flavour and aroma. Mix them together and there are countless variations of flavours, aromas and textures.
It is impossible to know how many cuisines there are in India, but it is safe to say that since there are 28 states and 8 Union Territories, there are at least as many cuisines. Some of the states are so big that the cuisine and dialect changes as you drive every 100 kilometers!
Indian cuisine reflects an 8,000-year history. There have been so many rulers and settlers over the centuries who brought to India their own spices, ingredients, style of cooking and taste preferences. For example, both the main ingredients of the Vada Pav (Potato and Pav) were brought to India by the Portuguese. A clever person made a potato mix with some local spices, put it in a Pav, added some fried green chilies and made an affordable snack for the common man. This darling of Indian street food recently made to the list of ‘Top 10 Burgers in the World’ curated by Michellin star chefs.
There are countless such examples that highlight how cuisine is really the best way to experience India’s diversity, as every dish tells its own unique story.
CURRY LEAVES
Native to India, the curry leaf tree is more than just a culinary herb; it’s a symbol of heritage and home cooking. The leaves are known for their unique, slightly bitter taste which can transform a simple dish into something extraordinary. Most Indian households will have curry leaves in their weekly shopping list, many have plants in their garden, like yours truly.
Beyond their culinary use, curry leaves are revered for their medicinal properties in Ayurvedic medicine. Rich in antioxidants, these fragrant leaves are known to aid digestion, boost immunity, and even possess anti-inflammatory properties, making them a true superfood in the Indian kitchen. In Hindu households, the curry leaf tree is considered sacred and placed near temples, believed to bring good fortune, prosperity and ward off evil spirits.
