This was my first traveling spoon experience, and it was just amazing! Debjani was an excellent host. We started in the morning markets to get a few ingredients and to have a nice cup of chai with local biscuits. Later we cooked and she gave me more insights into Bengali cuisine. After seeing and smelling all the mouthwatering cooking, I was served a delicious thali of several traditional Bengali dishes (My favorite new cuisine in India). Not only did I have a delicious meal but an engaging conversation with Debjani and I now have a new foodie friend. If you’re visiting Kolkata, you must book this wonderful Traveling Spoon experience with Debjani!

Wow! What an amazing experience to have had the opportunity to be hosted by Debjani, for my first Traveling Spoon. She took me to local markets nearby her lovely home and we stopped to have some tea and snacks as well. She did detailed insights into the cooking method and ingredients and then a beautiful thali presentation of fabulous Bengali cuisine was served to me. We shared travel, food and life stories and not only did I have a wonderful meal but also engaging conversations with Debjani. I can highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking to find a truly local Bengali food and life experience, it will be the highlight of your Kolkata visit!

It was really a great time. We learnt a lot of "bengali cooking secrets " and we warmly thank Zinnia and her family to receive us lire that. Definitely, we will become great Bengali cooks. So we highly recommend ! Jacques et Anne- France

The cooking class with Debjani was my absolute favourite part of visiting Kolkata! I went for a lunchtime class, along with the market tour—here are some of my highlights: - Debjani was such a lovely host! She made me feel really comfortable immediately and had so many interesting stories about her life, the food, and Kolkata - Her apartment is beautiful! It's a love letter to Kolkata, full of tasteful pieces of art, all of which have fascinating origins - The market tour was my favourite part of the whole day. We drove down to a nearby farmer's market and tried and bought lots of super fresh and unique ingredients—most of which I had never seen before. We also went to a classic Kolkata fish market with some of the freshest seafood I've seen - Debjani also drove me around that area of Kolkata and gave me a lot of background and stories about the different parts of the city. We stopped by an iconic tea stall and got chai and snacks too! - The cooking was so much fun—Debjani had planned five or six separate dishes and some of the prep (like overnight marination and mise en place) had already been done to make things a bit smoother - Everything was incredibly tasty and there were lots of dishes that I had never heard of before but will definitely be making again! It ended up being a full afternoon and the whole experience gave me a view into Kolkata that I would have completely missed if I just did all the touristy spots. I'd highly recommend the class for anyone who is interested in food, history, architecture, or Bengali culture!

The experience was amazing for us! Bibi was an amazing host and showed us how Bengali food is cooked. We not only had a great food, but also great "adda" to go with it, which really completes a Bengali meal. I would highly recommend this experience to others who want to taste Bengal as a local!

Zinnia was absolutely fantastic and the meal we created together was delicious! Very unique flavor profile that I will be adding to my collection and definitely plan on making again. Thank you again!

We were new to Bengali food so Bibi, our hostess asked us a few questions about our preferred level of spiciness, and our likes and dislikes. We arrived at her house at lunchtime and she welcomed us with a glass of Kingfisher beer. We settled into her cozy home as her helper prepped some items. After some chit-chat we gathered around for a demonstration as Bibi's helper prepared four dishes. Bibi provided commentary and answered our questions. We returned to our chairs as the gourd dish cooked and the chicken marinated and had some more beer. We shared 2 bottles of Kingfisher strong. Bibi loves literature and we had some good conversations as we admired her library. After a bit, we went back to the hotplate to see how her helper finished the gourd dish and cooked the chicken. We had developed quite an appetite and were ready to sit down an eat. Bibi and her helper had previously prepared rice and dal to go along with the dishes from the demonstration. Her helper also fried up some fresh puri (a fried dough) for us. Everything was delicious! You could taste the different flavors and each course blended into the next seamlessly. We finished with a sweet vermicelli pudding that had been previously prepared and chilled. Very yummy! I would recommend this experience not only for the food, but for the conversation, and recommendations that Bibi and her husband can provide. Thanks for everything!

I had an absolute privilege to meet Iti at her home and enjoy her gloriously delicious and authentic Bengali dishes. And the conversations were a real treat too. I know I am coming back for a second serving on my next visit to Kolkata.

Visited Kolkata and my family had booked a private dinner at a locals home. The food was spectacular, a variety of traditional dishes followed by a beautiful Bengali dessert and tea. Our hostess was welcoming and we instantly felt at ease . Iti was a very interesting conversationalist having traveled extensively and offered rich topics which kept the night flowing with interest. We could sense she genuinely loved people and took pleasure in hosting !! If you’re looking for a delightful evening , don’t let this one get away . Thank you for a memorable dinner. Denise from New Hampshire USA

We found this event to be very enjoying. Good food and good conversation. It was nice to talk to a local and get some insight about Kolkata. Our host was a good cook and explained the menu. Over all a very pleasant evening

We (three adults and 3 years old kid) had amazing half day experience with Bibi and her husband, that included guided tour in food and fish market, detailed meal preparation with explanation and storytelling, and eventually eating the meal! Everything was more than perfect, we learned a lot and had overall local expect that could never be achieved without local experts like Bibi and her family. Thanks for everything! Highly recommended!

Lakshmi openly welcomed my Dad & I into her home, treated us like family & gave us an experience to remember. She personalised our menu to our preferences & taught us how to cook our favourite dishes (with exact measurements & the correct spices). Even with my slight medical emergency, she was kind, accommodating & insistent on teaching me exactly how to cook the meal. Lakshmi even printed the detailed recipes & ended the meal with a lovely pot of Darjeeling Tea from the family estate. It was lovely getting to know her & her husband, and the food was delicious. I look forward to trying to replicate it at home once I find the best spices for the job. Would highly recommend, the food was unbelievable!

I apologise for the delay in posting a review but I haven't stopped wandering through this wonderful country of yours long enough to put pen to paper until now. My first few hours in Calcutta were full of calamity..missed connections hacked bank cards lost bag and and 9 hour delay meant I arrived to Iti's home a full 2 hours later than originally booked..but she welcomed me with open arms a ready smile and delicious meal and took time to ensure I relaxed after the ordeals of the day....it was just what I needed to calm the soul and energise the body The meal was delicious but mostly I appreciated the genuine thoughtfulness and patience of my host...Iti is the jewel in this experience

I could go on and on about the Bengali food Iti prepared, it was an AMAZING meal! Iti is so knowledgeable and passionate about food, cultures, and history. I loved our conversations while sitting outside sharing tea after the meal. I was fighting off the beginning stages of a head cold, but after eating the nutritious spices and healthy lunch I was already feeling better. Iti brewed a ginger tulsi tea with honey after the meal, and I swear it cured my cold! Thank you Iti for this experience. I will be back again to see you!

I recently had dinner with Iti. It was a wonderful experience, sharing a delicious dinner in someone's home!. This was a pleasant change from eating solo in restaurants every evening. Iti discussed Bengali food, her experiences, …. the time flew by!! The presentation of the dinner was as lovely as the food was delicious. We ate on hand-painted (by Iti) plates reminiscent of the clay cups used for tea in tea shops. We sat on her balcony before dinner and chatted amicably. Again, this was quite an oasis of conviviality for a solo traveller. Thank you, Iti. Helen