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Cooking Class with Amma & Appa
This is is 200th post and is very special…
When we are kids, we say I am the daughter of so & so and when we grow up we hope our parents can say, I am this girl’s parent. I choked a bit when I introduced my parents in my cooking class and it was the most surreal moment to watch them listen with pride when I gave the class. For the last three years, I have been telling Rajesh that I want my parents to see me give a class just one time. I was the black sheep, the trouble maker at home , so do you now see why I wanted them to witness this 
It was great to see that the class was full and there was even a waiting list. Guess my students were excited that amma & appa will be there in my class and my mom will demonstrate a few things. When we walked in, one of my dear student turned friend Joy welcomed us and we got prepping. Slowly the whole class was there and the fun began. While I had to decide the menu a couple of months prior, I had mom write the recipes for this class. The menu was Potato curry, Garbanzo beans sundal, Pineapple in yogurt sauce, Cabbage in steamed lentils and paneer burji. The class was a blast, mom communicated with the students in her own way and they understood. Mom demonstrated how to grate coconut with the traditional Indian grater / food slicer (Aruvamanai in tamil) , she made buttermilk with a wood churner for the class and everyone wanted pictures with them. So much love and so much fun. I am writing this more for myself, to come back to this space to read this after many years and relive the moments
We talked briefly about the recipes and then the class started. Boy was I in for a surprise, mom started walking around helping in the class. She told them at what consistency the batter had to be taken off from the food processor and how the pineapple should be chopped and so on. Don’t ask me how she communicated, she did and the students understood. I wish I could have paused and savored those moments. Everyone was so nice to them, each student introduced themselves, told them that they have been to my class before and how they have waited to see the parents who raised me. That was a proud moment for them.
If any of my students are reading this, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this class extra special!!
what a lovely post, Shankari!!
beautiful pictures too..loved the aruvamani one 
Wow, what an experience for them, and for you.. I can imagine how proud your parents are of you. Looks like your mom was having so much fun..
Shankari, I was so emotionally touched when I read this blog, I was not sure why for a moment but i can feel the proud parent feel here and how the great cook managed a excellent class. Hats off to u!
How lovely Shankari
..and such a beautiful post that I can surely feel the love and warmth. 
. May you have many many more classes like this..and if I ever get an opportunity, I would love to attend one your classes. 
Hugs,
Siri
..and also congratulations on your 200th post.
Siri
Wow, that is so cool the aruvamanai pic! One of the proud moment for both of u
Forgot, Congrats and wishing many more delicious posts!
Lovely post and pix, Shankari!
Reading the post i get goose bumbs
SUch a touching post and I am so glad you said you are writting down this moment so you can read them agains even after years. I am so happy that your wish came a reality.
I’m so glad that your first class was a success! You are an awesome cook it is so great that you can share your wisdom with others.
That is fantastic Shankari. Not many parents get to watch or even understand what their offsprings are doing. This must have been a truly special moment and I can understand that clearly from the post and pictures.
Congratulations on the 200th post.
Sooooper chithi…
i m sure aachi n thatha would have equally enjoyed it… would love to hear their comments tooo…
What a sweet post! I loved looking at the pics and reading about this wonderful class. Food is such a great medium to bring people together. Your parents must be so proud!
Wow, never knew you could even cook !!! Nice write up and wonderful pictures. I am sure your parents must have enjoyed this as much as you did.
Loved this post Shankari! Your mom reminds me a teacher I had in school. Someday perhaps I can get to attend one of your classes.
What a touching post Shankari! Congrats for being such a successful teacher
Hi Shankari, It is really a heart-touching post and am very happy to see that you had that best-in-life-time moment of having your mom and dad join and watch you in your cooking class! Fantastic!
Excellently carved write-up! It conveys your emotions and feelings very well (just like a Mani Ratnam movie…!). While reading your write-up, I could very well imagine how your mom would have helped with the students cooking… after all, cooking is an art and a gift…! I am really proud to see such a nice life-time picture! Way to go!
Congrats on the 200th post too!
How lovely, Shankari, for you and your folks! They must be so proud of you, and you of them
All the best as always,
Linda
Hi Shankari
Nice to see the pics. Looks like you guys had tons of fun.
Betn: I am a food blogger/ life science researcher,living in the Bay area,CA.I am looking for a culinary school to learn techniques on non-Indian cuisines. Do you have any school in mind(around Bay area). I would be happy if its like some pocket-friendly diploma or weekend sessions, not a proper degree or so.
Hope you will get back to me.
Thanks
Vij
wow what a post shankari. very nice and well written. only by your post you made me hungry. I am sure that the dishes like paneer burji and potato curry would have been the best. This is very good post to read for any person who loves to cook. Really a very nice and heart touching post. Hope you will keep posting such good posts in future also.