In a world where convenience often takes precedence over quality, Chef Akila is on a mission to remind us of the true essence of cooking — real, wholesome, and nourishing food. With a career spanning over six decades, Chef Akila’s culinary journey is a reflection of her deep love for traditional South Indian cuisine and her unwavering commitment to health-conscious, flavorful meals. From her childhood in South India to her new home in Yorkshire, Chef Akila has brought her family’s time-honored recipes to the UK, where she blends rich tradition with modern health principles to offer the healthiest and tastiest Indian food.
A Childhood Rooted in Tradition
Chef Akila’s love for food began at a young age, nurtured in her family’s home in a small village in South India. Born in 1945, she was raised by her father, an Ayurvedic practitioner, who believed that food was more than just sustenance — it was medicine. The kitchen, for Chef Akila, was where healing began, and every meal was crafted with care, using spices, herbs, and natural ingredients that not only delighted the senses but also nurtured the body.
“My father always said that food should heal and nourish the soul, not just fill the stomach,” Chef Akila recalls. “Growing up in a household where food was prepared with love and purpose taught me the importance of cooking with integrity. That philosophy has guided me throughout my entire life.”
This deeply rooted connection to food as both a cultural and healing practice shaped Chef Akila’s cooking style, which she has continued to perfect and pass down through generations.
The Philosophy Behind Every Dish
Chef Akila’s approach to cooking is simple yet profound — food should be natural, flavorful, and nourishing. Every dish she creates is rooted in ancient culinary traditions passed down from her family, with an emphasis on real, wholesome ingredients. At the heart of her cooking is a belief that food is a powerful force that can promote health, vitality, and well-being.
When Chef Akila moved to Yorkshire to live with her son, an NHS consultant doctor, she saw an opportunity to introduce her health-conscious Indian cuisine to a wider audience in the UK. Working alongside nutritionists and health experts, they spent years fine-tuning her recipes to ensure that every meal was not only delicious but also aligned with modern nutritional needs.
“We’ve worked hard to make sure that every dish I create is not only rooted in tradition but also aligned with modern health principles,” Chef Akila explains. “We focus on using the freshest, most natural ingredients available, and we craft our meals to provide the perfect balance of nutrients.”
Fresh, Local Ingredients with a Focus on Health
One of the cornerstones of Chef Akila’s cooking is her careful selection of ingredients. Whether she’s sourcing vegetables, herbs, or spices, Chef Akila places a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability. Wherever possible, she chooses locally sourced ingredients from the Yorkshire region, ensuring that everything she uses is fresh, nutritious, and ethically grown.
“Whenever we can, we source locally to support the community and ensure that our food is of the highest quality,” Chef Akila says. “We also avoid using any artificial preservatives or additives. The focus is on fresh, natural, and wholesome ingredients — just like the meals I made for my own children.”
Her commitment to using whole, natural foods means that every dish she prepares is packed with essential nutrients and beneficial properties. For example, Chef Akila’s dishes are rich in antioxidants from turmeric, ginger, and garlic, while the use of seasonal vegetables adds vital vitamins and fiber. Protein-rich lentils, chickpeas, and beans are staples in her cooking, ensuring that her meals are not only delicious but also balanced.
Spices: The Heart of Healthy Indian Cuisine
One of the most defining features of Indian cuisine is its use of spices, and for Chef Akila, spices are the heart and soul of her cooking. But beyond their vibrant flavors, these spices offer powerful health benefits. In Ayurvedic tradition, many spices are considered medicinal, and Chef Akila incorporates these health-boosting ingredients into her recipes to enhance both the taste and nutritional value of her food.
Take turmeric, for example — a key ingredient in many of Chef Akila’s dishes. Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is packed with curcumin, a compound that has been shown to support overall health. Similarly, ginger is a digestive aid, cumin supports the immune system, and coriander is rich in antioxidants.
“Spices are not only what give Indian food its distinctive flavor, but they also have a long history of being used for their healing properties,” Chef Akila explains. “I use them to bring out the best in each dish and ensure that the food I serve provides maximum health benefits.”
A Modern Twist on Traditional Recipes
While Chef Akila’s foundation is rooted in traditional South Indian cooking, she’s not afraid to evolve her recipes to meet the needs of today’s health-conscious consumers. In collaboration with her son and health experts, Chef Akila has adapted many of her family’s recipes to offer a modern twist on classic dishes — making them lighter, more nutrient-dense, and accessible to a wider audience.
For example, Chef Akila’s dishes often include plant-based options for those following vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets. She uses wholesome, naturally gluten-free grains like rice, millet, and quinoa, and ensures that her recipes are packed with plant-based proteins such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans.
“We want our food to be inclusive, so we’ve made sure to offer a range of options that cater to different dietary needs,” Chef Akila explains. “Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or just looking for a healthier alternative, our food is designed to nourish and satisfy everyone.”
A Family Legacy of Love and Care
For Chef Akila, food is much more than just a way to fill the stomach — it’s an expression of love, tradition, and care. She prepares each dish as though she is cooking for her own family, ensuring that only the best ingredients and the most careful attention to detail go into every meal. Her philosophy is simple: if it’s not good enough for her grandchildren, it’s not good enough to serve anyone else.
“When I cook, I think about my family and what I would want to feed them,” Chef Akila says. “Every dish I make is prepared with the same love and care that I used when cooking for my own children and grandchildren.”
This commitment to love and tradition is evident in every bite of Chef Akila’s food. Her meals are not only a celebration of South Indian culture but also a reflection of her unwavering dedication to providing nourishing, real food that can heal and energize the body.
Chef Akila’s story is one of passion, tradition, and a commitment to creating food that is both healthy and delicious. Through her careful selection of ingredients, her mastery of Ayurvedic principles, and her modern approach to nutrition, Chef Akila has brought authentic Indian cuisine to the UK in a way that is both nourishing and flavorful.
By cooking with love, tradition, and care, Chef Akila continues to share her family’s legacy with the world, proving that real, healthy food is the foundation for a happy, vibrant life.