2 minute read
Spice of Life, Anjula Devi’s new book
Spice it up for a healthier life
with Chef Anjula Devi
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Anjula Devi is a personifi cation of agelessness and health and a fi rm believer in the power of spices. She is also advising Manchester United as the Indian Specialist Consultant Chef.
“Growing up as one of eight siblings, I remember that we didn’t have a phone to call the doctor’s surgery and we never visited the local pharmacy. When anyone in the family became ill, my father would reach for his masala dabba (spice box) for medicine. We were the fi rst Asian family living on our road in Southall in the 1970’s. We were occasionally stared at and one of our neighbours complained to the council about the curry smell coming from our kitchen.
Ultimately it was that incredible aroma and that great food which united us with the rest of our neighbourhood. My father was a great cook and we became popular and wellknown for our Indian food. By the age of 8, my Dad was teaching me about the Over time I learned about the medicinal properties of our spices. Coriander seeds for hayfever, green cardamom for the digestive system and mustard seeds as an active anti-ager.
incredible range of Indian spices which he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of.
In 2010, I launched my own business of an eponymous cookery school and catering for Indian dinner parties. I grew up creating recipes with my dad, who used to scribble many of them into an old scrap book. Too late for my father to witness but he would have been very proud when, in 2017, my fi rst recipe book, Spice for Life, was published.
At the end of 2017, I took on what transpired to be my biggest professional challenge as the Indian specialist consultant chef for Manchester United. I felt really passionate about introducing the fans to traditional, tasty and wholesome Indian food. I launched a number of new dishes onto the menu, using a range of different Indian vegetables, lentils and pulses.
Starting my own food business has been a wonderful experience and an incredible journey. I have learned so much and met so many great people along the way. I would defi nitely encourage anyone who has a passion to follow their dreams.
At the tender age of 56, I have still only taken antibiotics twice in my life.” n
You can fi nd Anjula’s recipes on Instagram, @anjuladevi or buy her book, Spice for Life, or visit her website at
