Un-Curry, Glendale

When she was growing up in India, in Britain, and in North America Kaumudi Marathé ate an eclectic array of international foods. While living in the United States, she began to blend Indian cooking techniques and spices with American ingredients, resulting in what she dubs "California Indian." Rather than keep these culinary gems to herself, she established Un-Curry to introduce others to her style of cooking and to shatter the belief that all Indian food is made of curry.

This introduction takes the form of catering and cooking classes, which cover a variety of subjects. Spices 101 grants students the low-down on spices including cumin and asafetida, and Indian Bread Basket teaches students the techniques for making naan. Marathi Salad Bowl plucks recipes from Marathé's home state of Maharashtra, which is known for its rich vegetables, and California Indian takes students on field trips to local farmers' markets in search of seasonal veggies and matching sweater sets.