Tarla Dalal

Tarla Dalal was an Indian food writer, chef, cookbook author, and television cooking host known for popularising vegetarian cooking in India.

Tarla Dalal was an Indian food writer, chef, cookbook author, and television cooking host known for popularising vegetarian cooking in India. She became one of the country’s best-known culinary personalities through her cookbooks, cooking classes, television shows, and recipe publishing work.

Early life and education

Tarla Dalal was born in Pune in 1936 and later relocated to Bombay after her marriage to Nalin Dalal in 1960. She became associated with cooking instruction and food writing after starting home-based cookery classes in the 1960s.

Career

Dalal built her reputation through cookery classes, cookbooks, magazine and website publishing, and television programmes. She became especially known for vegetarian cooking and for making recipes accessible to home cooks.

Books and media

Her first cookbook, The Pleasures of Vegetarian Cooking, appeared in 1974 and was widely successful. Sources differ on the total number of books she wrote, with claims ranging from about 30 titles to more than 100 or 170 books.

Recognition

Tarla Dalal received the Padma Shri in 2007 for her contribution to culinary arts. She is widely described as one of India’s most influential food personalities.