Testimonials
Article by Else Ponsen-Breigem in the local newspaper ‘Archipel & Willemspark’
Indian cookery workshops close to your home
I was a guest at a workshop run by Vandana Sharma, who lives diagonally opposite me, with husband Floris and little son Zubin. The idea was to taste, both literally and figuratively, a cookery and eating session at her place. Upon arrival, over a delicious home-made raw mango drink, called panna, she explained to her ‘students’ Kathy, Martine, Geert and myself, which dishes were on the menu and from which part of the country they originated. Subsequently, we descended to the spacious kitchen, where a number of ingredients, partly prepared, were awaiting us. It was time to get to work and put on our aprons. The spices had to be mixed, by hand preferably, and wonderful smells were already being released. Vandana’s main language is English, especially once she gets emotional about things involving her cookery, but she also speaks good Dutch. The dishes were being prepared in pairs, at the large stove, so she could keep an eye on everything. The pans she quickly cleaned in between so they could be used for following dishes. With each extra addition she pointed out that taste-wise this can be the finishing touch, provided one adds only little. Smells were getting more tempting still and the oven was filling up with dishes waiting to be eaten. There was stirring and turning and a glass of wine, but then finally we were all set. In the meantime, Vandana had cleared the sink and filled up the dishwasher at a pace we were enviously witnessing. What efficiency! The last part took place at the table and how tasty everything was. Spicy, but not too much. It was a nice thing to get acquainted to the other cooks too. That’s why this story was written, to recommend this initiative in the neighbourhood.
EPB
Indiase kookworkshops dicht bij huis
Eind juni j.l. was ik te gast bij een workshop van schuin-overbuurvrouw Vandana Sharma om letterlijk en figuurlijk te komen proeven bij de kook- en eetsessie. Na ontvangst in haar huis met een heerlijk frisse home-made drink from raw mangos called ‘panna’ limonade, waar ze met echtgenoot Floris en zoontje Zubin woont, vertelde ze de “kookstudenten” Kathy, Martine en Geert en mij welke gerechten er op het menu stonden en uit welke streek deze afkomstig zijn. Hierna daalden wij af naar de ruime woonkeuken, waar de ingrediënten al wat voorbereid klaar stonden. De handen moesten uit de mouwen en de schorten voor. De kruiden bij voorkeur gemengd met de handen en heerlijke geuren kwamen al vrij. Vandana’s voertaal is Engels – vooral als haar kookemoties naar boven komen-, maar ze spreekt ook goed Nederlands. De gerechten werden twee aan twee op het brede gasfornuis bereid, waardoor ze goed overzicht hield en de pannen na gebruik schoonmaakte voor het volgende gebruik. Bij de extra toevoegingen gaf ze aan dat dit –mits niet teveel- net de finishing touch kan zijn voor een smaakbeleving. Het ging steeds lekkerder ruiken en de oven werd langzaam gevuld met wachtende gerechten. Er werd geroerd en gekeerd én een glaasje wijn gedronken, maar toen was het zo ver. Inmiddels had Vandana het aanrecht leeg gekregen met afwasjes en afwasmachine, waar wij jaloers naar keken. Wat een efficiëntie! Aan tafel was het laatste onderdeel en wat was dat allemaal lekker. Pittig, maar niet té. Leuk was het ook om kennis te maken met de mede-koks en daarom dit verhaal om dit initiatief in de buurt aan te prijzen.
EPB
Testimonials from volunteers who helped in cooking the meal at the Neighbourhood party (buurtfeest) at Bankaplein.
Dear Vandana, I wish to thank you for your organization for what must have been a mammoth job cooking all the food. I had an enjoyable afternoon with Agnes, Christl and Kaarina making the chicken curry. The Banka Circle looked great and radiated good cheer. Love, Aimee
Dear Vandana, Thank you so much again for your hospitality and your good guidance while cooking the lamb dish. I very much enjoyed the whole day and I hope to see you again, cheers, Jowan
Dear Vandana, I would like to thank you for taking the responsibility to serve an Indian meal for over 300 people. This takes quite some courage. It was very nice to meet Roline and Jowan. We had a great afternoon preparing the dishes at your house, enjoying your expertise and of course the lovely lunch. I thought the food was excellent and many others agreed. Again, many thanks for your hospitality last Saturday. Thank-you for inviting me to participate, it was a nice experience. Love, Madzy
