Chetna Makan, a fashion designer from Mumbai by profession and is now based out of Kent. She moved to Kent 10 years ago in 2003 along with her husband. She is a proud mother of 2 children.
Her first ever book titled ‘The Cardomom Trail’ was released in the UK in the year 2016. Her book title is “The Cardamom Trail: Chetna Bakes with Flavours of the East”
Her biggest passion is to cook and she absolutely loves the time she spends on cooking.
From a simple dish to a complicated one, she enjoys every bit of it. Her inspiration behind it was her mother and she owes everything she knows about the flavours to her mother.
A successful fashion designer, Makan moved back to cooking after the birth of her two kids who she says rekindled her love for cooking and especially, baking. She feels she is quite meticulous when it comes to baking and baking is a perfect vent for her creativity.
Challenging herself constantly and trying new and interesting techniques is what she cherishes and it also keeps her going. She was also featured in the Great British Bake Off in the year 2014. She calls it her most amazing and enriching journey as a baker and has given her the courage and confidence of trying out new favours without any inhibitions, whatsoever.
Recipe Book launched- Cardamom Trail
Her first book, The cardamom trail which released in UK on 21st April, 2016 and on 3rd May in the US, introduces the varied spices, herbs full of aroma and so many other Indian ingredients into the western culture.
She has spoken in length about the herbs and spices from India and also gives a few tips and tricks on matching different foods and the flavours. She has not only the traditional bakery from india but also some new combinations to try on.
The book has been divided into six sections: cakes, savoury small bites, pies and tarts, breads and accompaniments and sweet things. She also delves into some of her favourite spices like coriander, cardamom, clove, fennel, so on and so forth. The book is replete with information like their history, their usage procedures, the best combinations, etc.
The best thing about the book is definitely the personal touches that she has added in form of her childhood stories.
For the adventure lovers here, she has recipes like Saffron brioche buns, sesame, rose macaroni cake, so on and so forth. There is also something for the people who are always short of time or are amateurs when it comes to baking. There are quick and easy to make recipes like nut laddoo, passion fruit baked yoghurt, and the like.
Her book is a perfect representation of India as she has used some of the most prominent flavours and fruits of India.
