The Indian Experience Cookery Workshop

We teach the original grandmother’s cookery of the first generation of Punjabis to arrive in the 50’s and 60’s.  Join us in our Punjabi home for ‘The Indian Experience’ Cookery Workshop…a full day workshop.

We are currently looking for a new home and venue, and workshops are expected to take place in the Dorset/Wiltshire area for 2022.

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At our Indian cookery school, we teach you the way Indian mothers teach their daughters and are proud to be named as a Top 8 U.K. Indian Cookery Course by Olive magazine. Small group.  Hands-on traditional teaching. Book now for an Indian cookery workshop experience!Buy for yourself or as a gift for a special occasion, birthday or Anniversary! Get together with family and friends to share the cost and buy a gift they’ll always remember!

Led by mother and daughter team, Surinder and Safia, you will be taught how to make a home-style 3-course meal from scratch, using the traditional Punjabi cookery methods and ingredients, as taught to Surinder by her late mother.Our cookery is the real, healthy food, cooked daily in the conventional North Indian home, as the first generation of immigrants arrived and is NOT British-Indian restaurant food. There is a space and a place for all food, but our mission is to keep alive the cookery of our mother/grandmothers generation.

FAQ's

What will you get at The Indian Experience Cookery Workshop?

Access to culinary knowledge only found within Indian families, learning traditional techniques in the style that Indian mothers teach their daughters.

– An open and relaxed learning environment where you can ask questions and are given culinary advice on how to transfer these skills to suit your kitchen facilities, as well as your lifestyle.

– Small groups (maximum of 6-8 people to a workshop)

– Preparing a 3 course Indian meal by yourself, under expert supervision, hands-on, with no sharing or demonstrations.

– Enjoy a relaxing lunch with beer and wine.

– You will make enough for 5 people, for your own enjoyment during the day and to take home everything you make which is enough for a meal for four!

– No hidden fees or charges.

– All workshop prices include your ingredients equipment, tuition, and refreshments.

– A discount on our products on the day.

– Workbook, which includes the extra sides which are served with lunch.

You will learn how to make…

A traditional Punjabi starter (you will make enough for yourself and take home for a family of 4).

A vegetarian Punjabi main (you will make enough for yourself and take home for a family of 4).

A meat Punjabi main (you will make enough for yourself and take home for a family of 4), Vegetarians will make a second vegetarian main.

The daily flatbread, roti (chapattis) (you will make enough for yourself and take home for a family of 4)

Plus an Indian rice demo for lunch and the recipe in your workbook to make at home. (The traditional suacepan mehod is not advised by our EHO, so we will take you through this, however we must use a rice cooker).

We will then sit down together to eat the food we have prepared, either in our Indian dining room or out on the terraced garden

Once you have eaten, we will then head back into the kitchen to make:

A traditional Punjabi dessert, which you will then enjoy with our Indian cha (chai), tea or coffee

Pack up all the food you have made to take home to friends & family.

Details for the day

Time: 9.30a.m. – 4.30p.m. (Prompt arrival for 9.30. Finish time may over-run, depending on the group).

Venue: The workshop will be held in the Dorset/Wiltshire area,  (we are currently relocating within the region). The workshop includes all your ingredients, plus take home enough for a family of four, plus a workbook covering everything on the workshop, plus side dishes.  Each workshop is limited to a maximum of 6-8 people, allowing Surinder and Safia the opportunity to give personal attention to each and every participant. Each dish is broken down into a step by step method to ensure simplicity and delicious results every time.

The Indian Experience Cookery Workshop is for domestic use only. We reserve the right to refuse any application. We do not accept caterers or chefs on this course. Please contact us for any commercial arrangement.  Please select downloadable pdf gift voucher for immediate download.

Covid-19 information

Only 6-8 people are taken, for your best learning experience.  This will be arranged to safely comprise household bubbles.

COVID-19 SAFE PRACTICES ARE IN PLACE AND ONLY ATTENDEES WHO HAVE BEEN SOCIALLY DISTANCING DURING LOCKDOWN CAN BE ACCEPTED. To book workshop places, please place your order in checkout above for the number of places required. Workshop dates are allocated on completion of a booking form which will be emailed to you after purchase.  Alternatively, the recipient can contact us to select their own date. All workshops are fully transferable should Government restrictions delay any dates due to Covid-19.

If you prefer to speak to us first, or to book a specific workshop date at the time of payment, please do call Surinder on 07763 823699.  (Please call after 9a.m and anytime up to 7p.m.at the latest), or email: surinder@purepunjabiuk.com

A former workshop attendee and a doctor on the advisory board has advised us on our documentation and procedures and we have a secure Covid-19 policy in place. Admittance is by invitation only, therefore we, as well as our attendees, can feel safe attending our cookery workshops during this uncertain time. We request that you do NOT book, if you have not complied with Government guidelines and safe practices.

We teach the foundations of Punjabi food, which comes from the region of Punjab in North India

We teach the food as cooked by our mother and grandmother and we remain firmly rooted in her teachings. The workshop is based upon the first cookery lessons given by the mother to her daughter.  Nearly all of the daily Punjabi cookery is based on a few fundamental principles, from which you can build your repertoire of dishes.Punjabi food is typically famous for dishes such as Tandoori and Tikka chicken, Naan, Dhal, Roti (chappatis), Samosas, Biriyani, Saag…to name but a few,  but the real staples of old-school Punjabi food are Dhal and Roti, Sabjhi and Roti, and Saag and Makki di Roti.

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The Indian Experience Cookery Workshop is for domestic use only.

We reserve the right to refuse any application, we do not accept caterers on this course.

Read about our journey across Europe, heading up the culinary experience for our corporate client.Click HERE to read more about this event.

I had a fantastic and friendly cooking experience and at authentic home made Indian food for the first time. Much better than any Indian food I have ever tried.’ -Magdalena Masters’

Thank you for a fantastic day. I learned a lot and ate well too! I’d very happily come again for another course very soon.’ – Jon Masters

‘Lovely hosts, felt relaxed… Very pleasurable, informative &amp; memorable day.’ – Frank Stanley’

Lovely, easy relaxed atmosphere :-)’ – Val Cooper’

Wonderful hosts, wonderful food, so lovely to be welcomed at your table too. Many thanks! – Chelsea’

Excellent, very informative, so interesting to hear about the history/geography of India’ – Gillian Geary

I really enjoyed the day, I learned lots & it was explained simply. I enjoyed the background history & I would recommend the day. The food we made was tasty & I will be trying it at home.’ – Michelle Madden

‘I would highly recommend booking a Pure Punjabi workshop – a great experience. Informative and fun with superb teachers.’ – Sarah Veerappan

‘I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn traditional Punjabi cooking.’ – Zayren Veerappan

I would recommend Pure Punjabi to anyone who loves food and cooking it was thoroughly enjoyable day, a small group that meant everyone could cook; and get the help needed to make sure everyone understands it all; and gets brilliant results. You’ll be charmed, thrilled and totally satisfied! Your friends and family will be delighted with the food you bring home.’ – James Mcavoy

‘What a wonderful day. Great company, great tips & techniques and really good fun. Couldn’t recommend it more.” – Ian Dunn

‘Had a fabulous day’s experience – learnt so much about Punjabi traditions, cultures, etc. Surinder and Safia are so professional, yet so friendly and helpful throughout the workshop. Wishing you all the best for the next week!!!’ – Margaret Dunn

‘Wonderfully explained, demonstrated and reinforced process. Felt like being at home cooking with family… wonderful and delicious day spent learning new styles with teachers passionate about their craft. Everyone should try this.’ – Adam Coshan – September 2019

The Day was the best from start to finish. Surinder & Safia couldn’t be more more astounding. I would recommend this workshop to anybody willing to learn or start up with the Indian cooking! Amazing day 🙂 Very happy & full man… The days just wasn’t long enough!! Can’t improve perfection. Fabulous day!! – Ed Tucker – September 2019

100% enjoyed the whole day from start to finish… Soon as we met Surinder at CarFest, I knew the course would be informative & we would learn a new skill we can put into practice at home. Both very engaging, and worked at the right pace so everyone can follow. – Viv Tucker – September 2019

Learnt so much and not just how to follow a recipe… A fantastic day, cooking some wonderful food and learning plenty more in a really relaxed and supportive environment, the small group is perfect to get the most out of the day. Would highly recommend it to others – Andrew Fagg – September 2019

I can hopefully (with some practise) replicate the dishes that I’ve been taught… A great taster course in preparing Punjabi food. Love that you get to try eat the food you cook for lunch. The flavours  are amazing and the teachers are very knowledgable & helpful. Definitely recommend! – Cassie Todd – September 2019

“I would recommend to others – certainly. Level of expertise by the tutors was excellent. Very informative.”  Gail, – May 2019

“The excellent experience with accomplished teachers explaining everything. Huge satisfaction. A very friendly group, just the right size.”  Diana, – May 2019

“Excellent… lived up to expectations”  Jill, – May 2019

“Excellent… the small group setting meant lots of 1-2-1 interaction”  Denham, – May 2019

“Would recommend this as a gift. Good company. The day was conducted at a manageable pace with lots of useful information and good fun.”  Sally, Hampshire – May 2019

“I received the day’s tuition as a Christmas present, what a fabulous, a treat to spend a day with people so passionate about what they do for a business”  James, Hampshire – May 2019

“The whole experience was enjoyable, cooking together and learning about the culture & influences which make Punjabi food so delicious. The level was perfect for me and the pace was relaxed. Thank You.”  Sarah, Winchester – April 2019

“This was my second visit to Pure Punjabi and I have enjoyed it as much as my first. I have gained more skills and have renewed enthusiasm for cooking &  experimenting in my own home.”  Amy, Bournemouth – April 2019

“Very personable presenters – good communicators. Able to spot when individual participants needed a helping hand. Interesting to get some historical/cultural/religious background to the cooking.”  Peter, Wimborne – April 2019

“Being someone who enjoys cooking but often cooks the same things, it was brilliant learning new techniques which I can now use to make lots of dishes for family and friends, Surinder and Safia are lovely and make the day relaxed and enjoyable. Would highly recommend to everyone.”  Ciaran, Totton – April 2019

“This provided a really good grounding in North Indian dishes both savoury and sweet as described in the invitation.”  Heather, Bath – April 2019

“Exceeded my already high expectations… Had a great day, thank you. Learned a lot and have great motivation to repeat and expanded on what I did today.”  Jim, Surrey – April 2019

“Brilliant, and a good all-round experience of not just food but the whole Punjabi experience”  Alex, Hayling Island – March 2019

“Surinder & Safia are great in teaching traditional methods of cooking in a professional way. They speak the language of Punjabi food in English!”  Faiza, London – March 2019

“Great day experiencing Punjabi culture and food”   Alison, Winchester – March 2019

“Surinder & Safia provide great tuition on traditional Punjabi cookery. A homely and laid back atmosphere.”  Jamie, Winchester- March 2019

“I will definitely recommend this to everyone I know. My only wish is if it lasted longer! The expertise was unbelievable & I have learnt so much. Thank you”  Dave, Buckingham – March 2019

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“Better than I could have wished for… A truly great experience being taught excellent cookery skills (Punjabi), by two extremely lovely people.”  Jan, Swindon – March 2019 

“Understanding the importance of preparation and slow cooking. Enjoyed the selection of food… Loved the experience, especially the small number of people & the ability to ask questions or be guided.”  Catherine, Winchester – March 2019 

“A very friendly & welcoming family with great passion for cooking – I was made to feel at home and really enjoyed the day. Thank you all so much.”  Tim Mills, Fareham – March 2019 

“I am a cook & this was a new experience for me. So I enjoyed creating the food and feeling it was successful.”  Peter, Winchester – March 2019

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“Fantastic – didn’t know what to expect, but exceeded… A wonderful gift for any skilled chef. Fantastic environment and teachers. Home cooking brought to life. Can’t wait for the next class and to have a go myself… Thank you both so much for letting us into your home and teaching us some wonderful cooking skills. I will remember this always. Brilliant day. Thank you xxx”  Hannah, Chichester – March 2019“Excellent day very well organised from start to finish. Will be recommending to all.”  Mark, Bishops Waltham – March 2019

“Excellent – Following purchase of the meal box in December, the workshop has been really good. I began taking shortcuts and they put me on a track to cook properly.” David, Tisbury

“Excellent- Relaxing, friendly class of the right size. Good facilities. Enjoyed sitting down for lunch without time pressure to finish quickly.” Ian, Fleet

“Excellent – Always good to share cooking experiences with like minded people. Small group was very good – attention to detail appreciated.” Sally, Poole

“Excellent – My first cooking course & so glad I came along. The tempo & love for food & the stories from previous generations of cooking were enthralling. Plus the general history of Punjabi culture & religion provided a great insight.” Richard, Box, Wiltshire

“Excellent – This felt like an authentic experience and all the better for being in a home kitchen with just a small group of people. Very friendly with lots of anecdotes. I would certainly recommend to others.” Alan, Oxford

“Excellent – Safia & Surinder are lovely, grounded people who make Punjabi cooking a delight to experience. Highly recommended. Thanks for a very nice day – will stay with me!” Deidre, Oxford

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“Relaxed atmosphere and a steep, detailed learning curve… Don’t hesitate! Book yourself onto a Pure Punjabi cookery course. It’s a great experience and fun, not to mention cultured and very tasty!!”  Andrew, Wellow. – February 2019

“Exceptional. Warm & friendly welcome made you feel part of the family. Clear & beautifully equipped workshop. Great tuition. Food was stunning I cooked it.”  Andy, Wellow. – February 2019

“Really relaxed, humour throughout the day. Caters for all abilities… Absolutely fabulous! ”  Jen, Oxfordshire – February 2019

“Bang on… 100% recommended, ideal level for all. Great techniques and sense of humour, food was decent too :-)”   Mark, Oxfordshire – February 2019

“We’ve had an excellent day and it met our expectations. Thank you.”  Matthew &  Cameron, Guernsey – February 2019

“I like how respect has been paid on ingredients. I loved every step with additional story & detail, not like typical classes but always additional. I loved the environment, felt very comfortable.”  Miguel, Wokingham – January 2019

“Fantastic food, great company, very professional.”   Michelle, Southampton -January 2019

‘We’ve had a fantastic day! Surinder and Safia are so friendly and knowledgeable – we really did learn so much, lunch in their dining room was great fun too. I am looking forward to attempting to repeat the meals at home.”  Sarah Gibbard, Oxfordshire, January 2019

“Exactly met expectation, really fantastic. Lovely atmosphere. Excellent learning… Would 100% recommend. Surinder and Safia were the most welcoming and lovely hosts. I learnt loads in very relaxed and warm family atmosphere. Thank you so much.”  Jon, Oxfordshire – January 2019

“Was great!… Felt SO welcome in your home &amp; the stories &amp; info on Punjabi culture & religion were really interesting.”  Megan Masters, Southampton -January 2019

“Better than expectations. Really enjoyed it … Would highly recommend the course. Excellent tuition, great location, friendly atmosphere.”   Emma, Southampton – January 2019

“The day went by fast – I learned so much. I really enjoyed the format of the day & the background stories & information that were at hand. Great teachers, great company, great food, fantastic day!” Sue, Ropley, Hampshire – January 2019

“A great day, meeting new people and together exploring the beautiful, delicious simplicity of genuine Punjabi cuisine.”  Stuart, Romsey – January 2019

“Very interactive with small numbers which gave more attention from tutors… Very relaxed and friendly atmosphere in a home environment made me feel of ease. The tutors were very knowledgable & helpful.”</em> – <strong>Jason, Hook, Hampshire – January 2019

“Friendly, informative and delicious food. What’s not to like?  Philip, Salisbury – January 2019

“Excellent day in a relaxed and informative kitchen. Provides great base recipes that can be added to eating with the tutors and other students really added to the experience.”  Tom, Salisbury – January 2019

“I would definitely to others. It’s detailed enough not to be too complicated and gives a good foundation for experimenting in the future.” –  Debbie, Hampshire – January 2019

” Friendly, fun and delicious.”  Simon, Dorset – January 2019

“A most enjoyable day – we learnt so much in a friendly atmosphere. The instruction & attention to each individual was marvellous & allowed everyone to achieve success. Our lunch was fun – great conversation & lovely to get to know other. Detailed recipes to go home with a long with our food. Wonderful course.”   Edrys, Dorset – January 2019

“A fully immersive experience that allowed learning in a relaxed atmosphere and I just absorbed the day. Fantastic experience I will remember for a long time. Field trip to Punjab was excellent!”   Martin, Redlynch – January 2019

“You have a very professional approach, the day was well put together, just the right number of guests. Menu was delightful.”  Ian, Romsey – January 2019

“Friendly, informative instructions in a family setting, Key learning messages got out very clearly.”  Anthony, Sturmister Newton – January 2019

“A very enjoyable experience discovering authentic Indian cooking. Surinder and Safia were very attentive teacher and all too happy to share their knowledge and experience.”  Nick, Dorset – January 2019

“Yes I would recommend, so nice to have a small group, felt like a dinner party with friends. Safia & Surinder are very welcoming hosts & it was relaxed & fun.”  Martine, Poole – January 2019

“Fantastic cooking workshop making amazing food. Simple enough that I could do it and learned a lot. Totally recommend to anyone with an ounce of interest in food.”  Stuart, – Chiswick – January 2019

“Brilliant experience & a great way to spend a day if you love Indian food.”  Sundeep, Chiswick – January 2019

“Surinder & Safia were very helpful and attentive.”  Beverley, Amesbury – January 2019

“Fun, informing and yummy food to eat & take home!! :-)”   Heather, Wiltshire – January 2019

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“…excellent day -the time just flew by…really enjoyed and would recommend to all my friends.  Safia & Surinder are very knowledgeable and very patient teachers. Loved the work environment”.John, Ruislip

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“…beyond expectations…What a relaxed, fun, informative, culinary experience…”Cindy, Chandlers Ford

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“best workshop I have ever been to – really felt confident to make the meals myself afterwards…the hosts were really friendly and made the day fun. This is one of the best birthday presents my wife has given me”.  Neville, Romsey

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“A truly outstanding cooking course…Not only did we learn to cook a typical Punjabi meal, but also learnt about the geography, history and some of the traditions of Punjab…”Simon, London

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“A gastronomic experience. Excellent tutors…Good value”  David, Swindon

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“The practical demonstration (section) was worth a thousand YouTube views & videos”“Excellent. A fun day with generous hosts.”   Paul, Uxbridge

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“We’ve had an excellent day and it met our expectations. Thank you.”Matthew & Cameron, Guernsey“Relaxed atmosphere and a steep, detailed learning curve… Don’t hesitate! Book yourself onto a Pure Punjabi cookery course. It’s a great experience and fun, not to mention cultured and very tasty!!”Andrew, Wellow“Exceptional. Warm & friendly welcome made you feel part of the family. Clear & beautifully equipped workshop. Great tuition. Food was stunning I cooked it.”Andy, Wellow.

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“Really relaxed, humour throughout the day. Caters for all abilities… Absolutely fabulous!” Jen, Oxfordshire“Bang on… 100% recommended, ideal level for all. Great techniques and sense of humour, food was decent too :-)”Mark, Oxfordshire

” I would definitely recommend the Pure Punjabi course – a great and genuine introduction to cooking basic Punjabi food”.  Rob Sims  (August 2018)

“Brilliant…I enjoyed everything but the chapatti was great fun to make…From the moment I arrived, I was made to feel very welcome and relaxed and enjoyed the ‘whole’ cooking experience and enjoyed meeting the other students”.  Wendy Brown (June 2018)

” Absolutely loved it”  Nicola Pumfrey (June 2018)

“Brilliant – I think I will remember how to make these dishes…This was a really hands-on experience with a chance to make a range of different dishes. Explanations were clear and memorable and I will be confident to try them again at home. Both ladies are really friendly and warmly welcomed us into their home”   Chris Leahy (June 2018)

“I couldn’t recommend this course more highly. Surinder and Safia are amazing, so kind, hospitable and patient. I have learned so much and will definitely be back for a follow-up course!”     Harriet Gemmell  (April 2018)

“I couldn’t recommend this cookery course enough.  Surinder and Safia deliver a pitch perfect day full of flavour, fun and fascinating insights into the Punjabi culture. Five stars!”   Michael Davis-Marks (April 2018)

“Having done various cookery courses, this one was amazing! Made to feel incredibly welcome in Surinder & Safia’s beautiful home. Their depth of knowledge is superb and the way they teach is relaxed, fun and very thorough……Brilliant day, thank you!”   Kerry Jackson (October 2017)

“Fan bloody tastic! The workshop was excellent and fantastic value for money. Thank you for a great day!”  Steve Adshead, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant  (April 2016)

“Perfect. Both Surinder and Safia were excellent and very accommodating. It is really good to cook yourself and not just see a demonstration.”  Sophie Bainsfair, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant (January 2016)

“The content and the pace worked very well. The most valuable aspects for me were learning about the importance of balancing spices and learning how to make roti. Surinder & Safia were perfect: supportive: clear instructions: good company. The lunch was excellent: a nice touch to be offered wine. A very enjoyable day with a tasty meal to share with family at home – thank you. A great Christmas present!”Fran Deeming, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant (May 2015)

“My favourite part was the bread making. The tutors were fab 🙂 and the lunch was yummy. Thank you for a great day.”  Bridget Eley, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant (March 2015)

“The course content was very interesting and the tutors were excellent. Extremely friendly, patient and knowledgeable. Loved everything, would definitely recommend.”  Eleanor Powell, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant  (May 2015)

” A delightful way to spend a cold, rainy Sunday.”  Fay Grayer, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant  (January 2016)”A brilliant day out”  Emma Parry OBE, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant (January 2016)

“10 out of 10. Excellent. Very well thought out and easy to follow. A great fun day. Thank you!”  Samantha Laynon, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant  (January 2016)

“The venue was excellent and easy to find. The content was perfect and very flexible according to my needs. The most valuable aspect of the workshop for me was the simplicity – you can cook most things ahead of your guests arriving. Surinder and Safia were great, wouldn’t change a thing. So friendly & relaxed…perfect, thank you!”  Jane Glen, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant  (January 2015)

“Great fun and terrific hospitality.”  Ian & Lesley Mc Bride, ‘The Indian Experience’ cookery workshop participant (October 2014)

Surinder and Safia are food hygiene certificate holders.

The premises holds (and has always held) a 5 out of 5 food hygiene rating.

The date of the last hygiene rating is 18.5.2020.

For reviews on Trip Advisor, click HEREFor reviews on Google, click HEREFor reviews on Facebook, click HEREThe Indian Experience Cookery Workshop is for domestic use only. We reserve the right to refuse any application, we do not accept caterers on this course.