Masterclass with Curry Leaf chef Kanthi Thamma

Apr 16, 2025

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I was initially hesitant to enrol in this course, partly due to the price and partly because I felt my 50 years of cooking curry experience meant I couldn’t learn any new skills. However, when I received a last-minute discount, I changed my mind and was glad I did.

Kanthi Thamma is a local legend having established the Curry Leaf restaurant on Ship St in 2014. As a graduate of the Chilli Pickle he already had experience of working in one of the best Indian restaurants in the area, and his venture offered a delightfully informal but delicious South Indian dining experience.

The BH food initiative is an ambitious project with a massive ambition: teach the community to cook! Their facility is perfectly well equipped to accommodate at least 12 students sharing 6 hobs as well as a dining area; it can be hired for even larger parties, in this case https://bhfood.org.uk/events/south-indian-with-chef-kanthi-apr25/

It’s hard to pinpoint what I learned but as you can see the results have a mouth watering appearance. I suppose it was simply being forced to follow the exact techniques of the master and using some ingredients that I have neglected that allowed the transformation of humble ingredients into a restaurant quality meal?

I must admit I have recently found myself staring at packets of red lentils feeling a lack of inspiration about how to maximise their potential , but now thanks to Kanthi Thamma instructions I have discovered this cheap and healthy ingredient is the key to the most delicious daal recipe.

Conclusion

Positives

Prosecco on arrival
Helpful assistants
No washing up
Dining with fellow chefs
Learning new techniques

Negatives

No choice about carbs
Rationing of cheap ingredients
Oil provided of mysterious provenance

Next step: visit https://www.palmito.co.uk to taste Kanthi’s latest venture!

Visit: www.bhfood.org.uk
Email: [email protected] | Call: 01273 234810
The Community Kitchen, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG