Shalini completed her masters in computer science and now works part-time at her husband’s company, while also freelancing on the side. After she got married, Shalini learned to cook from her mother-in-law, an excellent cook who will co-host your Traveling Spoon experience! For dinner experiences, enjoy a true family experience and meet Shalini's entire family, including her husband, in-laws and two young sons. Shalini enjoys cooking traditional Rajasthani dishes with her mother-in-law, who has been cooking for the past 40 years, and is often seen experimenting in the kitchen. Cooking is Shalini's favorite way to relieve stress and she is passionate about sharing her Rajasthani culinary traditions with travelers from around the world.
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: (1-10 guests) Enjoy a traditional vegetarian Rajasthani meal in Shalini’s simple home in Jaipur. You will be welcomed with a drink and a snack as you chat with her about Rajasthani food and culture. Later, enjoy your homecooked meal which will be served at their family dining table. Your meal might include traditional Rajasthani dishes like dahi wada (plump dumplings in a creamy yoghurt sauce), kadhi (fried dumpling pakora served in a flavorful chickpea gravy) or fried dal (lentils), steamed rice, gatte ki sabzi (dumplings made from gram flour and spices, steamed and served in a spicy and tangy yogurt sauce), and mattar paratha (flat bread stuffed with peas or other spiced vegetables). End your meal with traditional sweet dessert such as kheer (Indian rice pudding).
Cooking experience: (1-10 guests) Join Shalini and her mother-in-law in their modest kitchen and learn to cook 2-3 traditional Rajasthani dishes. In your hands-on Jaipur cooking class, learn to make baingan ka bharta (a spiced eggplant dish), rotis (Indian flat bread) or other seasonal vegetables, before sharing your meal together with her joyous family at their dining table.
Market visit: (1-10 guests) Meet Shalini at her home and walk to their local street market for a tour. Here you will learn about basic Indian ingredients and local, seasonal produce. Explore the local market and purchase a few ingredients for your cooking lesson, before returning home together to cook a traditional Rajasthani meal.
Notes: Please note that Shalini only serves vegetarian food.
Languages spoken: English, Hindi
Shalini and her family were incredible hosts to us. We arrived and ate a quick breakfast snack with her and her son, and then spent a lovely time with her and her mother in law in the kitchen while they showed us how to make an incredible Rajasthani meal from scratch. We got to roll our own chapattis and learn about each of the ingredients and spices that went into the meal. We roasted eggplant over a flame for the most incredibly flavored and delicious baignan bharta I've ever had! We tried a traditional spicy masala gatti (gram flour-based dumpling) from Rajasthan and learned about why Shalini and her family like those flavors so much. Her husband and children ate with us too so it really felt like being part of a family. Shalini was super hospitable and a great ambassador to Indian life and culture. She expressed so much enthusiasm for Traveling Spoon as she wants to work for a women-owned company and be a working mom to do many things: make sure that her kids got to meet people from all over the world, be an ambassador for her culture and traditions, and to contribute to her family and life with the great skill sets she has as a wonderful cook. I couldn't recommend it more highly!
Hannah, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
I had the most heartwarming, special and beautiful experience cooking with Shalini in her beautiful home with her wonderful family, we went to the market to pick up produce for our cooking and she explained and educated me on all the produce we saw. She is such a wonderful kind person with a special energy. My time with her sits deeply in my heart, a unforgettable experience. And the most delicious food, I am so proud of my self even for making different breads and authentic Indian food. She is a great teacher and a great friend- esther October 16, 2026
This is one experience you don't want to pass up when in Jaipur. Shalini was warm and welcoming and gives you the true rajasthani welcome. She's knowledgeable and explains in detail the various ingredients and spices in the market, and walks you through step by step on the recipes. The best part though is her family who joined for dinner. Since I've been solo traveling, it was so refreshing to be in someone home and talking about anything and everything. Highly recommend this experience if you have the chance.- daniel October 14, 2026
We absolutely loved the wonderful time we spent with Shalini and her lovely family. ❤️ The experience was so much more than just a cooking class. Shalini first took us to the local market, where she introduced us to all the essential ingredients and shared her knowledge and passion with us. We then went back home to learn how to prepare delicious, authentic dishes together, before finally sitting down to enjoy the meal we had made. Everything felt so warm, genuine and welcoming. Sharing this special moment with Shalini and her family gave us a beautiful glimpse into local life and allowed us to experience a truly authentic evening. A wonderful experience, full of delicious food, laughter, warmth and beautiful memories. We highly recommend spending an evening with Shalini and her family — it was simply fantastic! ❤️- kerry October 02, 2026
We went shopping for vegetables and found ourselves peeling, cutting and chopping ingredients in preparation for the cooking. We made masala chai tea, pakoras, bitter gourd, okra, eggplant, lentils, and potato masala bread. We learned about Indian cooking secrets and met Shalini's endearing family. It was a great experience overall. Many thanks, Shalini.- martin March 10, 2026
What a treat to be guided through some markets and then welcomed into the home of such a warm, lovely woman. I felt like an honored guest—put to work just a bit peeling, chopping, spicing, and stirring, but mostly enjoyed the ambiance and aromas and discussions about food and life in Jaipur. The teens were there to talk cricket and school and a little politics. I learned how to make three different kinds of naan and three different vegetarian dishes, all of which were delicious.- steph February 26, 2026
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