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Host: Anil and Sandhya

Agra, India

USD
$16-$26 per person

Authentic vegetarian north Indian meal close to the Taj Mahal

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Anil and Sandhya

Sandhya and Anil live 10 minutes away from the Taj, where they run a homestay. Anil worked in the travel industry for 20 years and has visited many cities across India. While traveling, he would often sneak into the hotel kitchens to learn a few dishes and then recreate them at home. Sandhya, a school principal, says she perfected her cooking skills after marriage by watching Anil in the kitchen but after many years of practice she proudly says she is the better cook!
Anil is fluent in German, English, and Hindi. Their daughter Kanika works in Hyderabad and is a part-time Yoga instructor.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-4 guests) Sandhya and Anil will welcome you into their modest home with a warm smile. You might notice Sandhya’s mini aloe vera garden right at the entrance; aloe vera is said to have many medicinal values and is part of their daily diet. Sandhya and Anil cook and eat north Indian food at home and would love to share it with you. Your meal might include dishes such as navratan korma (a Mughlai recipe whose name means ‘nine jewels’ after the nine vegetables featured), stuffed paratha (flatbread stuffed with vegetables and paneer), sarson ka saag (a mash made with mustard leaves), palak paneer (spinach and fresh cheese) and end with a sweet such as gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding) or petha (white pumpkin cooked in sugar syrup, a specialty of Agra).

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Anil and Sandhya have a small kitchen which is part of the drawing room, so you may use the dining table for most of the preparation before going into the to the kitchen for the final cooking process. Please note that this is a cooking demonstration, not a hands-on cooking class. You will watch them prepare 2-3 authentic dishes that you will eat along with other prepared dishes eaten with rice and Indian breads.

Notes: Anil and Sandhya only serve vegetarian food.
Please note that while Anil speaks English, Sandhya only speaks in Hindi, so he will act as her translator.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi

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Anil and Sandhya

$16-$26 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $18 $16 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $26 $22 Not offered
Transportation
 $24 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $18 $16 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $26 $22 Not offered
Transportation
 $24 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 7:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Anil and Sandhya

Sandhya and Anil live 10 minutes away from the Taj, where they run a homestay. Anil worked in the travel industry for 20 years and has visited many cities across India. While traveling, he would often sneak into the hotel kitchens to learn a few dishes and then recreate them at home. Sandhya, a school principal, says she perfected her cooking skills after marriage by watching Anil in the kitchen but after many years of practice she proudly says she is the better cook!
Anil is fluent in German, English, and Hindi. Their daughter Kanika works in Hyderabad and is a part-time Yoga instructor.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-4 guests) Sandhya and Anil will welcome you into their modest home with a warm smile. You might notice Sandhya’s mini aloe vera garden right at the entrance; aloe vera is said to have many medicinal values and is part of their daily diet. Sandhya and Anil cook and eat north Indian food at home and would love to share it with you. Your meal might include dishes such as navratan korma (a Mughlai recipe whose name means ‘nine jewels’ after the nine vegetables featured), stuffed paratha (flatbread stuffed with vegetables and paneer), sarson ka saag (a mash made with mustard leaves), palak paneer (spinach and fresh cheese) and end with a sweet such as gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding) or petha (white pumpkin cooked in sugar syrup, a specialty of Agra).

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Anil and Sandhya have a small kitchen which is part of the drawing room, so you may use the dining table for most of the preparation before going into the to the kitchen for the final cooking process. Please note that this is a cooking demonstration, not a hands-on cooking class. You will watch them prepare 2-3 authentic dishes that you will eat along with other prepared dishes eaten with rice and Indian breads.

Notes: Anil and Sandhya only serve vegetarian food.
Please note that while Anil speaks English, Sandhya only speaks in Hindi, so he will act as her translator.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi

Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $18 $16 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $26 $22 Not offered
Transportation
 $24 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $18 $16 Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $26 $22 Not offered
Transportation
 $24 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 7:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

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