I am an academic, cook, and food writer.
I have authored the book Delhi: Food Histories, Recipes, Memories, which is being published early next year by Equinox Publishing, an academic publisher based in Sheffield. The book puts food in its historical and social context, showing how foodways, encompassing different subcultures of cooking, eating and sharing food, have been shaped by the mobilities of people, foodstuffs, and cookery concepts.
The book draws on my academic expertise in the areas of migration and social identities and my longstanding interest in food cultures. I am currently Professor of Migration and Development at the University of Sussex.
I have been creating paid content on food for UK audiences for more than a decade including my monthly Maharani Supper Club which is preceded by an educational talk on the provenance and history of the dishes being served; public speaking at events like the British Library Food Season; catering for academic conferences and events at the Hove Museum. I have also hosted cookery classes at the Brighton Community Kitchen, London Underground Cookery School and other venues.
My background is mixed - I hold a PhD in Development Studies, a Master's in Agricultural Sciences, and a BSc in Zoology and have worked across countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
I have authored numerous journal articles on themes related to food and have recently taken to popular food writing through my Substack and other magazines.
