Meet Ayesha D’Mello: Indian Culinary School and Dinner Events
We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayesha D’Mello and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ayesha, why did you pursue a creative career?
If someone told me 20 years ago that I would be pursuing a creative career and owing my own culinary boutique, I would have never believed them. After earning undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Computer Science and an MBA, I took the path of a corporate career with Silicon Valley software companies. Shortly after we moved to Miami, I was contacted by Miami Herald as they wanted to write about India’s food and culture. Once the article was published, I was inundated with phone calls and emails asking me “where is the restaurant and cooking classes”. I decided to dive into my passion, trading computers for cooking in an effort to educate my new city on the beauty of Indian cuisine. In early 2006, I started Ayesha’s Kitchen. Having cradled Ayesha’s Kitchen from a hobby to a boutique culinary school, I have been able to share my culinary journey with the world. I am passionate about healthy home style Indian cooking and, more importantly, teaching others how to make the right food choices. Cooking for my children, Byron and Brhea D’Mello, have brought me so much joy over the years and I wanted to help others feel the same happiness. Ayesha’s Kitchen takes you through the makings of authentic Indian traditional cuisine, where every meal can be a grand celebration in the realms of your own home. Good food is one of life’s great joys and a shared pleasure at the heart of family life and special celebrations. I am so fortunate to have been able to turn my creative outlet into Ayesha’s Kitchen and share this experience with others.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Every class reflects my philosophy of quick, healthy, and delicious Indian meals that anyone can learn to cook in their own kitchen with locally available spices. I have been able to transform difficult and complicated dishes into ones that students from all levels of culinary experience can perfect. Throughout my class, I emphasize the natural medicinal health benefits Indian spices and herbs have to offer. My recipes are tested and proven through a fun learning process!. I also share tips and techniques that can be used with Indian cooking and beyond. I empower students to successfully replicate my recipes in their kitchens. My classes provide a unique experience – learning authentic Indian cuisine tied in with its rich culture and traditions. The home kitchen environment, as opposed to a commercial kitchen or class-room style, makes the students feel very comfortable in Ayesha’s Kitchen. I put an emphasis on building a strong relationships with each student in order for them to feel comfortable asking questions and getting the most out the experience. I am very proud to have created 27 easy and healthy regional menus, ranging from appetizer to dessert. I am so fortunate to have many students who have taken all 27 menus, helping rate Ayesha’s Kitchen as the #1 cooking school in South Florida! Over the past several months, I have been able to expand my teachings to students and corporations across the world by offering online classes, pre-recorded HD videos and virtual classes on Zoom. It has been amazing seeing my business grow from word of mouth and repeat customers.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
1. Theme Parks in Orlando 2. Everglades 3. South Beach + Lincoln Road 4. Key West 5. Scuba diving & Jet Skiing
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have always been fascinated with cooking ever since I was a little girl. When I think back to the beginnings of my food journey I can always credit it to my childhood cook, Rosy Fernandes. Every day after school I would come home and follow the delicious aromas to the kitchen, where Rosy would be cooking. Transitioning from watching her on the side lines, to becoming her sous chef, I found my passion for cooking. After she passed away, I took the responsibility to cook for my family and bring the same joy she transcended on me through food. I loved digging deeper into my culture and exploring the different combinations of spices. From there, I learned to cook different authentic regional cuisines, along with secret family recipes, from my friends’ moms and grandmas. I was amazed to see how the different cultures in India had transformed their dishes through spices. Being in the kitchen became my happy place. The true heart of Ayesha’s Kitchen comes directly from the home kitchens of India! Since moving to America, food has been the one thing that has pulled me closer to my native culture.
Website: www.ayeshaskitchen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayeshas_kitchen/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayesha-d-mello-86638585/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ayeshaskitchen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayeshaskitchen1
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ayeshas-kitchen-miami-2
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d78JM0kIEWI&feature=youtu.be
Other: TripAdvisor – https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34438-d2277272-r213509076-Ayesha_s_Kitchen-Miami_Florida.html
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
