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Tax-dodging alpacas (with Nisha Katona)

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January 29, 2025

TLDR: Jane and Fi discuss socks for Americans, fallen women with fallen arches, family experiences, and Nisha Katona’s new cooking show on their maritime podcast. Also announced is their next book club pick 'Eight Months on Ghazzah Street' by Hilary Mantel.

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In this engaging episode of Offair, hosts Jane and Fi dive into an eclectic mix of topics including cooking, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions with Nisha Katona, the founder of Mowgli Street Food restaurants and a prominent figure in the culinary world. The conversation is vibrant, offering listeners a blend of humor, heartfelt stories, and expert cooking tips.

Key Highlights

Nisha Katona's Culinary Journey

  • Transition from Law to Cooking: After two decades as a family law barrister, Nisha switched careers, driven by her passion for food and cooking. She emphasizes that she sees cooking as both therapy and a means to share culture.
  • Mowgli Street Food: Nisha founded this restaurant chain to expose British audiences to Indian street food, aiming to simplify traditional curry recipes and make them accessible to all.
    • Culinary Approach: She believes that many Indian recipes center around just three spices, making it less intimidating for home cooks to try. Her emphasis on healthy eating with lentils exemplifies her mission to demystify the Indian kitchen.

Nisha’s New Cooking Show

  • ‘Nisha Katona’s Home Kitchen’: Nisha shares insights about her upcoming ITV show, where she showcases her cooking processes amidst the chaos of her farm, which features alpacas, horses, and goats.
    • Freddie Mercury's Favorite Recipe: During a light-hearted exchange, Nisha reveals she cooked a Chicken Dansak, identified as Freddie Mercury’s favorite curry, in her unique setting that combines nature with cooking.
    • Living with Alpacas: Nisha discusses the joys and quirks of her life with alpacas, referring to them as having personalities that provoke both amusement and tranquility.

Broader Themes

  • Women in Business: Nisha sheds light on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly those who start new ventures later in life. She champions the qualities that mature women bring to business, such as resilience and the wisdom acquired through life experiences.
  • Economic Insights: The discussion briefly touches on aspects of the current economy, with Nisha expressing concern about how increasing costs and consumer anxiety might affect the restaurant industry. She discusses the importance of empowering consumers to revitalize the economy.

Unique Anecdotes

  • Cooking for the Family: Much of Nisha’s culinary motivation stems from her desire to feed her family wholesome meals, underlining the universal value of home cooking.
  • Humor and Candidness: The hosts bring a light-hearted humor to their discussions, as seen in their playful banter regarding alpacas and Nisha's honest takes on her experiences in law and cooking.

Practical Takeaways

  • Simplifying Cooking: Listeners are encouraged to simplify their cooking with Nisha’s approach to spices and curry, focusing on key staples rather than overwhelming recipes.
  • Community and Connection: The episode underscores the importance of community, both through cooking and the shared experiences that come with it.
  • Embracing Change: Nisha’s career transition serves as a motivational anecdote for those contemplating a shift in their professional paths, reinforcing that it’s never too late to pursue one’s passion.

Conclusion

This episode of Offair is a delightful mix of culinary inspiration and personal anecdotes, encouraging listeners to connect through food while navigating the complexities of life and business. Nisha Katona’s enthusiasm for cooking, coupled with her practical insights and thorough understanding of the industry, make this episode both informative and engaging. Tune in for an entertaining exploration of food, life lessons, and the beauty of embracing one’s unique journey.

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