Welcome to the Booking Hub
We all connect with food. It’s an easy subject to bond with many. As some of you might know Indians have an abundance of health and wellness knowledge. Knowing Yoga and meditation means we are just scratching the surface. And there is lots to explore.
Since 2003 I have been doing home catering along with various other jobs to sustain. That opened a new door, which led to my cooking classes. Quickly I became a well-known name for Holistic cooking in Auckland. Using only fresh unprocessed food, teaching the goodness of healing spices and making nutritious yet tasty food has been rewarding. I had many opportunities to even travel the North and South Islands with these classes and loved sharing the delicacies with Kiwis.
As you know, any time is a perfect time to cook a curry… right? So don’t wait any longer. Book our cooking sessions. I promise, they are so much fun and you’ll get a lot more out of it than paid for.
Email – hello@anjudesai.co.nz
Holistic Indian Cooking Classes in NZ
Book group sessions or one-on-one * For corporate and private clients.
Learn to Blend Spices
Perfect spice blends for better immune system.
Workshop or Classes
Learn the art of blending spices to enhance your dishes with authentic flavours. Understand the importance of fresh, whole, and ground spices. It is far more important to know the amount of spices you should take and which season is best for which spice blends to get the greater benefits. We will cover that and more with learning wholesome recipes.
Highlights:
- Group booking classes at your chosen location or our venue.
- Benefits: Understating the uniqueness of each spice and creating blends to use in nutritious recipes. knowledge, and blending techniques.
- Includes dinner in a beautiful Indian ambience, recipe online plus you can buy authentic spices.
- Additional options for your event are available from our Bollywood party packages
Vegetarian Cooking Guide
Perfect ingredients to cook incredible vegetarian food.
Workshop or Classes
This course teaches you the essential techniques and processes to create delicious, and sustainable vegetarian meals. Drawing inspiration from various cuisines, Anju will guide you about the flavour, and texture, and use the right combination of ingredients, to cook amazing vegetarian dishes.
Highlights and Benefits:
- Discover diverse flavours and textures.
- Learn how wisely you can leftovers for sustainability.
- Gain practical cooking tips and techniques.
- Create a nutritious vegetarian meal plan.
Reducing Winter Blues
Learn to cook food that lifts your spirits on winter days!
Workshop or Classes
Benefits:
- There are a few tricks about the spices and which one works best for winter plus which ones to avoid. You will learn all that.
- Boost your mood with wholesome ingredients
- Practical tips for winter meal planning
- Group bookings available for corporate and private sessions
Cooking with Ayurveda
Balancing Health and Taste with Ancient Wisdom
Workshop or Classes
Balanced meals for the right season and climate. A holistic approach to preparation and eating is Ayurvedic cooking. If you keep an eye on health and wellness then you must know the word Ayurveda. Ayurveda, Meditation, and Yoga are similar parts of the ancient holistic medical system from India with over 5000 years of history. The cooking, rituals and time of eating were significant parts of it. Let’s learn how to cook meals that promote balance and wellness.
Benefits:
- Understand the fundamentals of the Ayurvedic diet
- Customise meals for your body type.
- Improve your digestion and overall well-being
- Group bookings are available for corporate and private sessions.
Note: Group booking classes at your chosen location or we can provide a venue. Enjoy a beautiful Indian ambience and various menu options tailored to your needs.
Cooking Thali * A Balanced Meal
Providing carbs, protein, vitamins, minerals, & fiber.
Workshop or Classes
Have you ever seen an Indian Thali and do you know what that means? Thali means a plate and it serves nutritionally balanced food which is regional and seasonal to every corner of India. There is a wedding or festival Thali as well however in this class we going to learn a nutritious thali which will work well for New Zealand calamites.
Highlights:
- Group booking classes at your chosen location or our venue. Anywhere in NZ
- Benefits: Balanced everyday meals with vitamins and immune-boosting recipes. Practical cooking tips. Use of fresh ingredients without preservatives and over-processed food
- Includes dinner in a beautiful Indian ambience
- Additional options available from our Bollywood party packages
Plant-Based Food Workshop
Exclusive Vegan Recipes Crafted for a Balanced Diet
Workshop or Classes
Join our interactive vegan cooking classes and learn how to create delicious, nutritious vegan meals using ingredients easily available in Auckland. Whether you’re an individual, a group, or a corporate team, our expert chef Anju Desai offers the perfect culinary experience for you. Veganism is not a fad it’s an awareness of new ways of life. Let’s welcome it.
Highlights and Benefits:
- Understand the balance of flavours and textures in vegan recipes.
- Practical tips for meal planning and preparation.
- Focus on wellness through plant-based ingredients.
Flavourful Summer Recipes
Refreshing and Energising Dishes for Sunny Days
Workshop or Classes
This class will help you create dishes that will make your summer cooking feel like a breeze. We will prepare delicious meals that will keep you cool and energised. Indian salads and stirfry have unique blends and the world hasn’t seen them yet with refreshing drinks. Let’s create our Indian summer party.
Benefits:
- Explore a variety of summer ingredients and spices and combine them for the best results.
- keeping hydrated with lush homemade drinks.
- Easy-to-make, quick summer dishes with fresh ingredients available in NZ.
- Group bookings available for corporate and private sessions
Indian Dinner Tonight
Timeless Delights from Our Grandmothers’ Kitchens
Workshop or Classes
This class is based on my personal experience growing up in an Ayurvedic household, where we followed the principle of “breakfast like a king, lunch like a rich person, and dinner like a poor man.” Every Sunday, we enjoyed traditional family recipes from my grandmother and mother, featuring simple, delicious dishes with special touches like roasted pappadum, onion pickle, or peanut and sesame chutney. Join me, Anju, to learn these hearty recipes from my family.
Benefits:
- Learn simple, delicious family recipes for well-balanced meals.
- Understand the importance of meal timing and quality
- Learn the recipes that New Zealand or any Internet channels haven’t seen before.
Note: Group booking classes at your chosen location or we can provide a venue. Enjoy a beautiful Indian ambience and various menu options tailored to your needs.
Cooking FAQ
What are these cooking classes about? These are demonstration classes where you can ask questions, learn about spices, and gain insights into Ayurveda and wellness for balanced meals. Our classes are holistic, focusing on vegetarian and vegan dishes, with options for Ayurvedic cooking and more. You will get a chance to help in cooking and give it a go as you would like to participate.
What is the experience of the teacher? Anju Desai, who will be teaching these classes, has a rich background in holistic cooking, influenced by her upbringing in an Ayurvedic household. Anju’s expertise encompasses traditional Indian cuisine, wellness, and balanced meal preparation. You can learn more about Anju on her profile page.
Where is the class hosted?
Classes are hosted at your preferred venue, or we can provide options and organise everything for you.
Can I pay during the class?
No, payment is required in advance to hold your place.
Should I pay the full amount in advance to make a booking?
Yes, please. The amount will vary depending on the subject, attendees, and menu.
What is the cancellation policy?
We have a no-refund policy. However, you may transfer your booking to someone else if you cannot attend.
Can I request a personalised one-on-one class?
Yes, please send us your request for a personalised session.
What is the minimum age to join the adult class? The minimum age is 14 years old.
Are photos permitted during the classes?
Casual snaps for social media tagging are okay.
Book group sessions or one-on-one
For corporate and private clients.
Inspiring and Engaging Speeches
In addition to the topics above, I can also speak about Diwali, Hindu beliefs, arranged marriages, the history of India, Ayurveda, and simple living. Additionally, I cover subjects such as creating everyday rituals for a positive mind, manifestation, the importance of journaling, and gratitude practices.
Let’s talk – hello@anjudesai.co.nz
How I Can Help
Hi there!
It’s wonderful to connect with you here. As we become more aware of our mind-body-soul connection, we seek simple guidelines to understand holistic living. This involves mindful eating, daily mindfulness practices, and working on our manifestations. I was raised in an Ayurvedic holistic lifestyle and know how simplicity can create abundance for the soul and body. Let me help you change simple micro habits to create a soulful life.
With my passions for creativity, art, writing, coaching, and speaking, I’m excited to bring fresh and impressive ideas to your life. Let’s support our community together and bring the best out of them
Thank you for stopping by, and I look forward to catching up soon!
Anju Desai
What Our Clients Say
Hi Anju I saw you speak y’day at Her festival. Thank you for your story. As a single parent and survivor of domestic violence your story resonated very strongly with me. You have also inspired me to believe in the next chapters of life and that one can start afresh. I’m finally getting my strength and power back as an independent woman and your description of returning to your creativity and regaining your spirit and strength has stuck with me ever since your talk. Thank you so much. Your resilience humility honesty and self belief was intoxicating. You have given me a huge amount of faith that starting again isn’t a negative but a positive opportunity. Thank you so much xx Sarah
Sarah Hodgetts
I was very inspired by your sharings and have really thought about the best action to demonstrate to my children. To be the inspiration for them as we are their role models so they be empowered to have healthy relationships in the future
Thank you very much and hope more people will get inspired by your story and thought and morels. 
