Kamini Pather, celebrated food personality and television presenter, is back with her highly anticipated cookbook, All Dahl’d Up. This collection of vibrant, rooted-in-family recipes is a testament to Kamini’s culinary journey, one that blends tradition with innovation, creating what she calls “good-mood food.”
Since her rise to fame, Kamini has never been defined solely by her heritage, but she has always remained connected to it. As she puts it, All Dahl’d Up is “a collection of ancestrally-derived recipes that have been updated through ingredients and techniques – the old world has been given some fancy.” This cookbook showcases Kamini’s signature style of Indian-inspired cuisine fused with global influences, offering something that feels familiar yet refreshingly new.
While classic recipes like potato curry with nigella seeds, hot water roti, rasam, and the beloved Sunday chicken curry are included, readers will also discover modern interpretations that reflect Kamini’s multicultural background. Kamini fondly remembers growing up in the ’90s in South Africa, where her mother packed her fusion lunchboxes, bridging the gap between her grandmother’s traditional masala and her experience as one of the few people of color in her school. This blend of influences is the heart of All Dahl’d Up, which invites readers into Kamini’s world through food.
Kamini’s career has taken her far beyond the kitchen. Following her MasterChef win, she transitioned from an aspiring food writer to a sought-after TV host, producing and starring in shows like Girl Eat World as well as being a resident chef on SABC’s Ready Steady Cook. Along the way, she earned numerous accolades, including Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year, Glamour Woman of the Year, and an SA Style Award, all while participating in major campaigns, such as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and Yuppiechef’s Online Cooking School. Kamini’s love for a healthier lifestyle has also seen her earn a Health Coach and Nutrition certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, Kamini returned to her roots in Durban, where she created Eat Glocal, a short ebook that was shortlisted for a Gourmand Award. This success inspired her to publish a full-length cookbook, resulting in All Dahl’d Up.
Kamini Pather’s culinary journey is far from over. In addition to her many achievements, she has also become an avid runner, demonstrating her commitment to both physical and culinary health. With All Dahl’d Up, Kamini invites readers to explore a world of flavors and stories, blending old and new, tradition and innovation.
All Dahl’d Up is now available for purchase.
