Many keep their passion and hobbies aside and pursue normal and routine jobs, regretting each and every minute, questioning themselves, and wishing they had taken an unconventional way. Lorna Nanda Gangotra who had a brilliant corporate career in Mobile Telecoms often used to wonder whilst sitting on the tube most mornings about following her passion and fulfilling her dream of plunging into the food world.
Lorna, an MBA from Birmingham University, and a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from Greenwich University is a complete foodie and got her first-hand experience in cooking from her Biji (grandmother), mother, aunts and uncles who she watched cooking and enjoyed every process of it.
“My passion for food (and eating!) has been with me for as long as I can remember! I love to eat, sleep, breathe, and think about food all the time and I am eager to share my knowledge and experiences with others.”
Her undying love and passion for food made her restless and eventually, she stepped into the food world by opening a bistro/cookery school in Wimbledon, London. Classes were held on a regular basis along with the bistro was opened over the weekends. While doing so, she was noticed by Monica Galletti who ate there with her family. Lorna later discovered that Monica was actually a judge on MasterChef UK. This boosted her confidence and she knew that she was on the right path.
After becoming a mother, she gave up the bistro and moved to Surrey where she discovered Ripley Farmer’s Market and she decided to once again take the leap with The Little Indian Kitchen, which has since this Summer rebranded to Lorna's Indian kitchen and is still everyone's favourite.
“Food has always been and still is the centre of everything in my family upbringing – as Indians we believe that by sharing food and drink with people – we show how much we love and adore them. It’s very cultural as food and drink relate to being happy and enjoying quality time with family, friends and loved ones. The kitchen is the heart of most Indian families and in my home, it is where you will find me or my mother. Hence Lorna’s Indian Kitchen was born.”
Lorna loves cooking using authentic and real ingredients. Also, she sees to it that her food has amazing flavours and aromas, irrespective of any type of cuisine.
“I love most cuisine types and always use the freshest, seasonal local produce which gives the most amazing flavours, aromas and tastes – whether it’s an Indian, Middle Eastern or Italian dish I’m cooking or a full-on Roast… maybe with a slight twist of spice though!
I have won several Great Taste Awards for my Indian curries from The Guild of Fine Foods over the last 4 years and I am now a Great Taste Producer.”
In addition to private dining and farmers markets, she runs a cookery school and hosts supper clubs & pop-up events.
Lorna still cherishes the day when she and her sisters won the title of the Best Family Cooks in Britain following the win from BBC2’s Family Cooking showdown.
“Winning the title was a huge achievement – it gave many others hope and inspiration that anything you put your heart and mind to, you can do it – it was also a huge nod to my mother and late Biji’s (grandmother’s) legacy of heritage cooking from the heart!”
Accolades and praises have not changed Lorna who still loves sharing her passion and love for food of real, fresh, authentic, locally sourced produce.
“It was great to highlight the authenticity of real homestyle Indian dishes on the show and get such fantastic feedback from the judges and viewers alike.”
“They all want my recipes” says Lorna whose "The Big Family Cooking Showdown" series season 1 is on Netflix.
“I’ve even been invited to Hawaii and Jamaica to share my cookery skills and knowledge!”
She is grateful for her husband whom she refers to as an inspirational influence in helping her to carve a niche for herself with a successful foodie career path.
She can be found on her website ‘Lorna’s Indian Kitchen’, on Instagram with ‘Lorna Nanda Gangotra’ as a handle and on Facebook she goes with name ‘Lorna's Indian Kitchen’
If you would like to try Lorna's cooking for yourself, you can find her at Kew Village Market or Ripley Farmers every month.
