Spice and Curry Indian Cooking with Bhavna Shivalker Sunday 31 August

Sunday 31 August

Bhavna Shivalkar is a Mumbai-born, Sydney-based entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience in the food industry, where she specialises in Indian cuisine and cultural storytelling. She is the founder and CEO of The Modern Desi Co, a dynamic Australian food venture that fuses time-honoured Indian culinary traditions with modern business practices.

Bhavna conducts immersive Indian cooking classes and guided food tours, which offer far more than just recipes—they provide rich cultural context and insight. Through offerings such as her ‘Cooking Classes’ and ‘Food Tours of Little India’, she is on a mission to break down stereotypes and broaden the understanding of Indian cuisine. As an Indian Cultural Collaborator with Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, she also plays a key role in promoting South Asian culture to a wider audience.

In January 2026, Bhavna will lead her second Spice & Savor Tour through Mumbai and Kerala—a curated culinary journey that takes food lovers to the very origins of Indian spices and flavours.

Passionate about moving the narrative beyond Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh, Bhavna weaves storytelling, memory, and practical knowledge into her teaching. Her goal is to show just how accessible, budget friendly, vibrant, and satisfying Indian home cooking can be—any day of the week.

Her Class

Spice & Curry Indian Cooking Class 

Join Indian food expert, cook, and writer Bhavna Shivalkar for an immersive, hands-on workshop where you'll cook—and enjoy—a vibrant Indian feast using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Whether you're a passionate curry lover, curious home cook, or simply someone who delights in bold, authentic flavours, this four-hour class is designed with you in mind.

In this workshop, you will:

• Explore the rich history and cultural roots behind each dish on the menu
• Get a practical introduction to Spices 1, 2, 3—a guide to the essential spices in Indian cooking, how to use them, and where to find them
• Learn foundational Indian cooking techniques, along with insider tips and kitchen hacks
• Cook alongside Bhavna and then sit down to enjoy one of the most satisfying seven-course Indian meals you’ve ever had

By the end of the class, you'll leave not only with a full stomach but also with the confidence to recreate delicious Indian dishes—like curries, dals, and meat-based specialties—at home. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of spices, lentils, and cooking methods that can elevate everyday meals across many cuisines.

This workshop is more than just a cooking class—it’s a gateway to embracing a flavourful, wholesome, and accessible approach to Indian home cooking.

Menu:

·      Chickpeas with Spinach 

·      Chicken Curry with potatoes 

·      Lemon & Cashew fried rice 

·      Vegetable Korma – A medley of seasonal vegetables 

·      Mixed Lentil Curry 

·      Mushroom Masala 

·      Beetroot Raita