We're so happy to share this brilliant cookbook by Sukhmani Pantal, shot by Suki on a few of our most vibrant photography backdrops with her iphone 11
We spoke to Suki about her cooking heritage and inspiration for this beautiful book.
'Growing up in a North Indian Punjabi family in India meant it was always about celebrating family time with food, coupled with the sound of laughter in our kitchen, the comforting aromas of tarka, tempering of spices, the sight of homecooked food on our dinner table. My father's army postings took us across India, and I had the privilege of experiencing the diverse cuisines of different regions of India.'
Potato patty chaat shot by Suki on the SAFE backdrop
Order your copy of "Garnish with Garam Masala" here!
'They say your food reflects your identity, and it wasn't until I moved to the UK in 2015 that I truly grasped the depth of that statement. Here, I found myself yearning for familiar tastes of home-cooked Indian meals. Thus, began my journey of recreating my 'Back-home favourites’ in my kitchen.'
'Cooking became my sanctuary, a way to reconnect with my roots and share the flavours of home with newfound friends. Their encouragement during the challenging times of lockdown in 2020 inspired me to share my culinary creations online, giving birth to "Suki’s Curries and Spices", a blog and an online culinary school to share my recipes with others.'
'Participating in "The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver" in 2022 was a pivotal moment in my culinary journey. It was there, amidst the heat of the kitchen and the camaraderie of fellow chefs, that I presented my beloved Delhi special - butter chicken, a dish steeped in memories and tradition.'
'My inspiration for my cookbook ‘Garnish with Garam Masala’ stems from the bustling kitchen of my family home in Delhi, where my darling maternal grandmother, Barima, instilled in me a love for garnishing dishes with the spice blend, garam masala.'
'The title holds a special place in my heart, reminding me of cherished memories and the comforting aroma of home-cooked meals. This cookbook is a tribute to the flavours that define my heritage and the culinary tapestry of my beloved birthplace, India.'
'I captured my food photos using an iPhone 11, utilizing the beautiful natural light streaming in from a nearby window to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Every dish was lovingly prepared and styled by me, ensuring each shot perfectly represented the essence of the food.
For the finishing touches, I edited the photos using Adobe Express to enhance their visual appeal.'
'I am a big fan of vibrant food photos. Black Velvet Styling backdrops have been instrumental in the process of achieving that colourful canvas for my book.'
'The bright and vibrant colours provided a stunning and lively background that truly elevated the presentation of each dish. They allowed the food to pop and shine, adding an extra appeal to the photos.'
Suki's stunning iphone photography on the PEA green backdrop and ALGARVE blue tile backdrop
Order your copy of "Garnish with Garam Masala" here!
'What I love most about your backdrops is their vibrant and dynamic colour palette, which brings an energetic and lively feel to my Indian food photography.'
'The backdrops added depth and character to each shot while also maintaining the authentic Indian essence of the food. At the same time, they add a modern touch, striking a perfect balance between tradition and contemporary style.
The 'ARIEL' deep sea green effect photography backdrop holds a special place in my heart as it is featured on the cover photo of my cookbook. Its rich, captivating colour truly enhances the visual appeal of my dish – ‘The Dhaba style chicken curry’ on the cover!'
We love how you style with our backdrops, Suki - so great to see such bold colour and simple but rich styling that gives depth while letting the food be the focal point!
In these images Suki has used similar colours in the backdrop for a softer but still colourful feel. Shot with the RUBY red backdrop and BUTTERCUP yellow and cream backdrop.
Order your copy of "Garnish with Garam Masala" here!
'I also love the 'SAFE' brown mottled metal photography backdrop, which adds a rustic touch to my photos. All your backdrops have been instrumental in creating the perfect ambiance for my Indian food photography, making each shot stand out beautifully.
I store my backdrops stacked up and lying straight on the lower shelf of my coffee table in the lounge. It allows me to easily access and choose the perfect backdrop that will do justice to the dish I'm photographing that day. Having them within arm's reach make it so much easier!'
Suki's cover star, Dhaba style chicken curry shot on the ARIEL sea green backdrop.
Order your copy of "Garnish with Garam Masala" here!
Thank you for sharing this inspiring work with us Suki - not only is it a beautiful book full of soulful, flavour-packed recipes but we are in awe that you shot it all yourself on an iphone!
We're very proud that our backdrops played a part in your creativity and are included in this brilliant book. Thank you!
Learn more about Suki at www.sukipantal.com or www.instagram.com/suki_curries_spices
