Katy Dalal was one of the doyens of Parsi cooking for decades. She passed away two years ago this month.
To those of us who have eaten her food, the taste remains in the mouth forever. And her legacy far outlives her in the books she wrote, the seminal tome on Parsi Recipes “Jamva Chalo Ji” and its part II and other books by Katy.
Living in New York, I have used her book as my recipe source for everything from Dhansak, to Kolmi no Patia, to Popatjee, Malido and Bhakhra, and then some more.
The food catering business that Katy started is now run by her son Kurush and ably supported by Rhea Mitra-Dalal, Kurush’s wife.
In a very personal account Rhea talks about the Katy that most people would not know.
From how Katy accidently bumped into cooking as a profession and business…
What started as a favour to a family friend soon grew into a Parsi Catering service of great repute. There was a time when she ran the kitchens at the Free Masons Hall and the Ripon Club simultaneously while catering private parties and sending daily tiffins to peoples’ houses and offices at the same time. She was also bringing up three kids alone as her husband was away at sea. In the later years she also taught at a few colleges in Mumbai, whenever the opportunity arose. The older members of the staff say "bai kab sotatha malum nahi".
…to how Katy embraced Rhea after she and Kurush were married
She was a very sensible and practical woman and when Kurush and I decided to marry, she made space for us to have our own home, separate from her household. We were just upstairs, at hand when required, but still independent. She loved her children to bits but she was mature enough not to cling to them and strangle them with her love.
On this, her second death anniversary, we at Parsi Khabar remember the wonderful person that Katy Dalal was.
Continue reading Rhea’s entire account on her blog euphoREA
very sad
Veera Pooniwala too passed 3 days back
very sad
Veera Pooniwala too passed 3 days back
very sad
Veera Pooniwala too passed 3 days back
Katy Dalal’s book ‘jamva chalo ji”was the best thing that happened to me after i just got married….i did not know a thing about any kind of cooking and her book slowly got me started with her simple and easy to read and understand recipes….. i saved myself a lot of embarrassing questions….and whenever anyone asks me who taught u how to cook, i say Katy Dadal!
Katy Dalal’s book ‘jamva chalo ji”was the best thing that happened to me after i just got married….i did not know a thing about any kind of cooking and her book slowly got me started with her simple and easy to read and understand recipes….. i saved myself a lot of embarrassing questions….and whenever anyone asks me who taught u how to cook, i say Katy Dadal!
Katy Dalal’s book ‘jamva chalo ji”was the best thing that happened to me after i just got married….i did not know a thing about any kind of cooking and her book slowly got me started with her simple and easy to read and understand recipes….. i saved myself a lot of embarrassing questions….and whenever anyone asks me who taught u how to cook, i say Katy Dadal!
I remember Katy Dalal as a family friend of my in-laws, from the time Katy used to live at Bandra and even before she got married. She used to supply tiffin to my in-laws’ place in late 1960’s/early 1970’s, as and when required. She was very fond of my father-in-law and since he was veg and very fussy about the food (bless his soul), Katy used to take extra care while sending the tiffin.
The last time she catered for us was on our silver wedding in 1999 and in spite of her having health problems, she took personal interest and was there at the function to personally supervise the arrangements. She suggested and served a variety of food – buffet spread and our guests went away very happy. Even today some of our relatives and friends remember her catering that day.
My wife still refers to her recipes from “Jamva chalo ji”.
We have fond memories of Katy Dalal… a kind and noble soul, who is grossly missed by those who knew her closely.
I remember Katy Dalal as a family friend of my in-laws, from the time Katy used to live at Bandra and even before she got married. She used to supply tiffin to my in-laws’ place in late 1960’s/early 1970’s, as and when required. She was very fond of my father-in-law and since he was veg and very fussy about the food (bless his soul), Katy used to take extra care while sending the tiffin.
The last time she catered for us was on our silver wedding in 1999 and in spite of her having health problems, she took personal interest and was there at the function to personally supervise the arrangements. She suggested and served a variety of food – buffet spread and our guests went away very happy. Even today some of our relatives and friends remember her catering that day.
My wife still refers to her recipes from “Jamva chalo ji”.
We have fond memories of Katy Dalal… a kind and noble soul, who is grossly missed by those who knew her closely.
I remember Katy Dalal as a family friend of my in-laws, from the time Katy used to live at Bandra and even before she got married. She used to supply tiffin to my in-laws’ place in late 1960’s/early 1970’s, as and when required. She was very fond of my father-in-law and since he was veg and very fussy about the food (bless his soul), Katy used to take extra care while sending the tiffin.
The last time she catered for us was on our silver wedding in 1999 and in spite of her having health problems, she took personal interest and was there at the function to personally supervise the arrangements. She suggested and served a variety of food – buffet spread and our guests went away very happy. Even today some of our relatives and friends remember her catering that day.
My wife still refers to her recipes from “Jamva chalo ji”.
We have fond memories of Katy Dalal… a kind and noble soul, who is grossly missed by those who knew her closely.