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An Introduction


Hi Foodie Friends! My name is Chef Neelma. My background is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and countries. African by birth right, Indian by family and American by citizenship molds my food journey. I have learned how to speak in 7 different languages living in 3 different countries but most importantly, I speak the language every person on the planet understands--food. From chundo (an Indian mango relish) to dijon, my upbringing was diversely influenced by other people like me and the flavors they brought into my life. The 3 countries I have lived in are diverse in demographics and abundant in culinary goods - because of this I have always had access to knowledgeable aunties, tools at hand and ingredients which I incorporate into my sweet and savory recipes. 

Love for cooking and baking started at the age of 13 with my grandmother’s visit to Malawi in east Africa. My skills were enhanced by my foodie mom and dad and later techniques continued to bloom by way of profession. After a successful and lucrative sales career in banking of 11 years, I was offered the opportunity of becoming a stay at home mom to my little guys who now tower over me. In this process I revisited my teen years and got reintroduced to my love of food making while raising my young family. Through tutoring, chauffeuring, cooking, cleaning, maintaining home life and social balance, new projects and failed businesses, I am known today as Chef Neelma. 

I have worked in the food service industry since then in various capacities; as a dishwasher, server, professional cook, baker, caterer, food writer, food entrepreneur, pastry chef and currently as a culinary instructor, brand ambassador and a content creator. My dining realm is trendy, intuitive and cultural. I offer corporate and private team building classes, recipe developing services and brand stories for food and appliances.  


Comments

  1. VPAugust 15, 2020 at 1:40 PM

    This is amazing. Looking forward to all the great recipes you are about to share here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neelma PatelOctober 9, 2020 at 7:55 PM

      Thank you so much. I look forward to sharing more.

      Delete

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