Guest Chef Takeover: Anjula Devi
We’re delighted to be welcoming the hugely talented chef and author Anjula Devi to Divertimenti Cookery School. Ahead of her demo on 23rd September, where she’ll be sharing vibrant, flavour-packed recipes from her cookbook 15 Minute Indian, Anjula has penned a special piece for our readers. Below, she opens up about the health journey that inspired her book, her lifelong love of Indian cuisine, and the journey that’s brought her to our kitchen. We hope to see you at the demo!
I am absolutely delighted to be holding my first cookery demonstration at Divertimenti on 23rd September. I will be cooking from my new book, 15 Minute Indian, and I will be sharing a brand-new method which changes the dial on the way Indian food is made.
It’s a really smart way to cook, using steam. These lighter dishes contain less fat, retain more of the nutritional value, and are ideal for when you are time-pressured during the week. A secondary benefit of the method is that it minimises the effect of the lingering aroma of spices on one’s hair and clothes.
Currently I’m a chef, author and the consultant chef for Manchester United. I was born in West London, one of eight siblings, to first generation immigrant parents. A few years ago, 15 Minute Indian was born as a concept. I put on around 14 kg or 30 pounds in weight. My blood pressure was also spiralling. My doctor gave me two options - either take medication for the rest of my life or lose weight. I immediately chose the latter.
This was the catalyst for me to perfect a new technique for Indian food. I tried and tested a huge number of recipes and learned how to create lighter dishes with delicate flavours, to consume during the week.
During the lesson I’ll demonstrate four delicious recipes - sweet and sour okra and prawns, fresh cauliflower & peas, hariyali monkfish, and quick rajma.
Shortly after 15 Minute Indian was published in February 2025, I was approached to collaborate with Tesco and the British Heart Foundation on heart health. I was able to share my own journey of heart health and how 15 Minute Indian could play a part in helping those with heart health and blood pressure issues. Some of our posts made an impact, attracting over seven million views.
I very much hope to see you at Divertimenti. My teaching ethos is to lead the class in a factual, knowledge-based way with plenty fun and stories thrown in for good measure. I hope you’ll be inspired by the recipes which really evolve the way Indian food is made, the hints tips and techniques, as well as by gaining a fuller insight into why spices are so good for you - Anjula x
