Hi! I'm Taqdees Syed. I am behind the apron, pen, and camera of “Curry Gossip” & “A Kitchen Love Story” (Instagram). I have done my bachelors in Sociology, Masters in Urdu Literature and a Degree in Indian Fashion Designing. My love for designing has translated into using art techniques in my kitchen. I love my really big coloring kit that’s my spice cabinet. I am a perfect combination of order and chaos that keeps me grounded. I am the girl who falls over, drops things, and says something awkward at least once a day. So I decided to celebrate being raw, real, and perfectly imperfect. I aim for friendly and comfortable with a touch of chic. I love brocante fairs and still get a thrill when I spot a painting, beautiful cutlery, or a special piece of furniture. I am a bit of travel addict. In the past couple years, my travels have taken me through Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey & Middle East.

 

Born an Indian and now a Dutch citizen in Nederland, I was brought up in Mumbai; a beautiful and energetic city with a similar vibe to Amsterdam. Mumbai is the food capital of India. From street food to fine dining, this city is home to a myriad of cuisines. I come from a long line of amazing cooks. Being raised in an Indian family, with extended clan members roaming wildly in and out of our house and lives on a daily basis, I quickly learned the joys of cooking. I am totally self-taught/mom-taught/grandma-taught and have no formal culinary training and by no means claim to be a culinary genius. My neighbors probably think I am weird because they see me climbing over a piece of furniture in order to get a decent angle for my food pictures. They probably wonder why my smoke alarm goes off constantly (because i am either frying, grilling, or tampering lovely curries and gravies.)

 

I believe in balance and moderation. I believe in eating humanely raised meats. I believe in working with wholesome, seasonal, local ingredients as often as possible but I also believe in “Treating Yourself”. I make my own homemade spice blends, seasonings, and rubs. Commercial mixes may contain too much salt or cheap ingredients. Also, if you use the same store bought brands as anyone else, your home cooked food may end up tasting the same as everyone else. No “hidden extras” in your blends and mixes means no artificial colors, additives, or preservatives too. So, if like me, you absolutely value clean, hygienic, natural and chemical free food then this is the place. Quality flavors that shape your plate. I created this little corner of internet to celebrate life around the table and the favorite recipes that bring us all together. One of my favorite hobby is to recreate foods that I enjoyed and put my own spin over it. These are healthy mix of family favorites that have been passed down for generations, accidental creations, and some passionately invented dishes of Mumbai from scratch.

 

Indian food is traditional and made with layers of love & soul. So here I am, posting from my cozy kitchen in Nederland, where I live with my wonderful husband (who is a Solution Architect and a Cuisine enthusiast) hoping to make My Food, Your Food. We love sitting around the table with good food, good conversation, good friends & family. Let’s enjoy each and every day because like every delicious meal; life should be savored. Our kitchen is always open. All eaters invited!