by Mums and stories features this time Archana from Hebbars Kitchen -a popular blog that showcases Udupi cuisine and many other varieties in vegetarian dishes.
Archana is based in Melbourne, Australia and it was interesting for us to have her share her story recollecting her childhood memories, her journey in setting up her venture and understanding the positive influences in her life including her mum and her husband.
“Having a twin brother made me luckier; as I was never left lonely. My days were always fun-filled and happy. And thanks to my mom and dad as they were fulfilling all my needs.
I was always accompanied with my brother. We were in the same school; same class, same books and carrying similar bags with different color. We always were getting special attention in school for being twins. And yes no one believed we are twins as we were quite distinct from the other.
Like most siblings we were also known for our quarrelling. And I was always initiating the fight and believe me or not it was never ended by me There was a principle followed in our house by my dad and mom; you are never questioned whose mistake it is; but both will be punished. So we were trying to sort out things between us rather than complain to parents.
But later things got changed after my 12th grades. My brother joined NIT and IIT for his further studies so our path became different.
To speak about the interest in cooking, I actually learned to cook after got married. I really didn’t cook much before as I was never away from home and my mom used to cook and feed me whatever I was wishing for. However, I could do easy stuff like rasam and dal. I wasn’t really worried about it because my dad always says, “if you can prepare typical Udupi rasam deliciously, then you can cook anything.”
Obviously, it’s not quite as simple as that, but yes it’s really not that hard. It just takes practice and a little trial and error. My passion for cooking started all because of my husband Sudarshan who has been fond of Udupi and Indian cuisines. And in Australia, it is very difficult to find Udupi Cuisines. As we all have heard “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” I decided to cook and experiment myself.
My mother and father were a wonderful influence in my life and as a child, I sat on the kitchen counter along with my brother watching them cook authentic Udupi cuisines and noticing them carefully with their perfections and the sensitive to smells, tastes, and colors they were adding to the food. So I guess unknowingly I understood the art and science of cooking.
But I started to experiment and learning from my mistakes. I had lots of bad experiments like burning up tawa’s, forgetting ingredients and also sometimes complete messed up my kitchen. As we all learn through experiments, so did I. Thanks to my husband for helping me to learn from those failures and teach me kitchen skills and what not to do next time.
I remember my mom as a magician in the kitchen and my biggest inspiration; I loved watching my mom prepare delicious and fulfilling meals with ease. Though cooking had always been a hobby, and it turned to passion and began to take it seriously after getting married and moved to Australia. Moreover, my husband encouraged me so much in cooking and creating Hebbars Kitchen blog, which motivated me to try out authentic Udupi and Indian cuisines further. Now we can happily eat authentic Udupi cuisines without much hassle.
Everyday I receive hundreds of messages and photos of recipes they try from my recipes posted on Hebbar’s Kitchen. It is really a great honour to get such a positive feedback and responses from your followers. I even get countless of recipe request to post on my blog. So my husband and me work together and decide which recipe to come up next. It is so heart touching when you receive thanks giving mails for posting recipes. One of our followers, named Lakshmi (Principal of Chethana Anikethana MBA College) had written a beautiful mail which touched my heart.
We all know the google can throw up any recipes we desire, but the authentic recipes are very difficult to find. So to cook authentic Udupi cuisines I always end up calling my mom, grandmother and mother in law for the tips and variations to make the dish perfect.
Writing recipes and making videos of authentic Udupi cuisines is always a challenging task. As we being from South India, Udupi; which is well known to many as the ‘vegetarian hub of Karnataka’ and mind-blowing food. Our followers expect it to be perfect. So we work a lot to make our recipes perfect, simple and healthy.
I would like to share few words, which might be beneficial for every mum over here.
Cooking is an art rather than a task. So never force your child to learn cooking. If they really wish to learn then it is good to teach some skills on cooking, as it will be beneficial always. So whenever your child cooks; he (she) must cook with love and definitely it will turn up yummier than ever. More importantly, preparing food really calms anyone down. So it is a best way to cope with stress. And also cooking involves taste, smell, touch, sight and a right combination of spice and flavours. So always enjoy the moment of cooking. This will help you and your family to enjoy healthy and nutritious homely cooked food.
I love to experiment in cooking, especially when the recipe involves lots of fat and calories. Every single mistake I make in the kitchen makes my next dish better, since I always try to learn from those mistakes. However, some times I just follow up traditional cooking style as it is tried and tested and followed from following traditional recipes to imbibe same rich flavors of spices and aroma.
Most of the time my husband and me cook together in kitchen. And here is the thing; my husband is a fabulous cook. He helped and encouraged me to learn many things after getting married. I can guarantee, he cooks far better than me but just that he is lazy. I have heard a lot about his cooking stories from his friends. Just mention any dish of your choice he follows his instinct and prepares it yummier. I am a big fan of his collection of chutney recipes and biryani.”
Wishing Archana all the success for her blog and life.
Thanks mum and stories for featuring me in your platform.
Thank you Archana and Sudarshan for being part of Mums and stories and wishing you lots of success.
Your cooking videos are slick, simple and sensually appealing! Thanks for motivating me to cook again! Keep up the good work!
Hi Nice to read your article, I always curious to know who is the brain behind Hebbar Kitchen, in fact by keeping identity hidden from these videos really worked as the presentation was crisp, clear and simple, as matter of fact it made to look simple in reality it’s not, one need to have the skill to make things look simple, all the credit goes to both of you to make Udupi cuisine so famous across India and globally ( not only Udupi cuisine all pupular recipes from all over India), Congratulations and best wishes for future, Prasad Rao, from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia ( basically from Bangalore )
very well written and described. Thanks for posting this article.
I always wanted to know who was that wonderful person behind Hebbar’s Kitchen, cooking some amazing dishes and presenting them in the most beautiful way!
Thanks a lot Archana matthu Sudarshan avare!
Ok good
Keenness to find out more about the amazing person behind the beautiful Hebbar’s kitchen videos that so often pop up on my FB newsfeed brought me to this page. Archana & Sudarshan, this is impressive indeed.
Abhinandanegalu!
Sandhya Hegde from Mangalore, now based in Melbourne.
Thank u hebbar’s kitchen. Now I am habituated to check your recipes every day before I go to bed. And aaahhh… believe me it’s treat to just see the dish on the blog.
Your cooking videos are awesome. A refreshing change from the slow paced narrative ones. I am motivated to try each one of them.Your attention to details is very good.
Hi Archana
I was very curious to know the big brain behind Hebbar’s Kitchen ever since I started glancing your cooking videos in Facebook… very well taken and presented in the just right way! Congrats to you and Mr. Sudarshan! Keep posting those awesome recipes with videos… Have been addicted to the app and so motivating to try out many of those untried recipes by me…. your blog inspires to cook…. Wishing you both Most and More….
Keep up the great job!
Hi Archana,
I always try your recipes and everyone at my home love the outcome. I was always curious to know the main brain behind Hebbar’s kitchen. Glad to know about you. Thank you for all your recipes and good luck for upcoming experiments 🙂
I love Hebbar’s Kitchen! Have tried so many of your recipes. And I am just a big fan of your videos – so clear and crisp – very helpful for people who love to cook, but are often short on time. Thank you, Archana!
Nithya
Dear Archana,
Am so thankful to you and Sudarshan. Recipes which I have tried from hebbar kitchens are so tasty and authentic. My friends and family members appreciate my cooking and the credit goes to you.am big fan of your blog.
Wish you happy new year.. Looking forward for many more recipes.
Thanks..
I’m a great Fan of your recipe videos! Also the presentation on your website for each recipe is excellent, so much diligent effort in compiling -wow!! Very Inspiring, do keep up the great work. Also, nice to know the face behind the yummy food:-)
I was really curious to know the face behind hebbars kitchen. Archana wow ur simply beautiful dear to add am great fan of ur cooking and keen follower of ur blog.God bless you both
Hi Archana,thanks for the wonderful recipes u have shared till now and I have tried almost 10-12 from your videos which are very simple and yummy as well.keep posting us the recipes and be blessed .Sai sharadha -hyderabad
Really enjoy cooking from your recipes as the dishes turn out so yummy and the videos are crisp and clear . We stay in the US and my kids love variety. So these recipes are real handy. Keep the recipes coming .. Thank you Archana and Sudharshan .. wishing you a long and beautiful culinary journey
U have made vegetarian cooking seem so easy! Am not a big fan of vegetarian but ur videos have invoked the interest in me. Ur video presentation is perfect. The use of spices are so refreshing in this age especially while all other people use instant podis but u make it from scratch. Good work. God bless u guys!
Big fan of you archana. I’m moving to Perth the very coming july. Your recipes will help me a lot. Cooking is my passion. I have tried many of your recipes. Thank you
I love your recipe archana, and all your instructions are very easy to follow. Thank you for bringing cooking recipes in such a Creative way.
Hi!
Like everyone above, I am also a great fan of hebbar’s kitchen. There isn’t a slightest doubt about her recipes but what I admire the most is the complete no non sense way in which she designs her videos. The video never exceeds 1.5 minutes. She has made cooking appear so simple for everyone. Thank you very much and keep up the amazing job!
hi archana, your recipe’s are so quick , simple and yum glad to have hebbars kitchen in my life. I never missed any indian cuisin in Sydney due to your recipe’s .
keep posting recipe’s .
Hi, its really a wonderful way to present the recipes. The long procedures made simple by videos. I always trust Hebbar’s Kitchen for anything new I’m going to prepare. Great work and wonderful simple recipes!
You make cooking very simple and tasty!
Thanks Archana and Sudarshan for your wonderful recipes.
I agree when you say cooking is mostly instinctive and turns out yummy when cooked with love.
I follow every video of yours and have managed to get a positive response from my ultra critcial foodie of a husband many times 😀
Thanks for making cooking look so effortless and delightful at the same time with your crisp videos.
“More importantly, preparing food really calms anyone down. So it is a best way to cope with stress”. Very true Archana.Thank u so much for the wonderful videos.I always check hebbar’s kitchen when I wish to eat someting new.so happy to know the person behind my favourite blog.thanks a lot.keep going.
Hey this morning just went through all comments of you fan felt really interesting..looking forward to watch your video……all the best
Awesome!!!! Always wanted to see the face that belonged to those beautiful hands with a ring on the left thumb!! Got to see it today and was not disappointed . Beautiful person indeed!! Love your recipes and the crisp presentation. Needless to add they really turn out yummy when tried ! Kudos to you both !! Keep them coming!! Love you, guys!! Stay blessed!!
I just want to see who behind this interesting and easy cooking hebbars kitchen ..nice to know you.we we have seen your receipe first time on fb we have glanced and we thought what will happens in 2 mins time but when we really try it it came our perfectly well. Thanks to you . Post many more videos like this and wish you all the best
Ur receipes r always amazing..We learn so many good receipes after watching just a small videos ..Thanks a lot
Thankyou so much Archana. Really blessed to have food prepared through your directions almost every single day. Food just tastes awesome. Love on my wife increases many times. Thanks again for being part of my family.
Thank you so much for your recepies. I was always at a loss in cooking something quick and yummy for my daughters for the evening snack. Your recepies have made the evening snack time interesting. Thank you so much
Hat’s off for your wonderful job, every day i will visit your blog i will check recipes, but behind this recipe, today i come to know this beautiful story. really very very nice keep cooking, thanks for your recipes.
Really too good app for veggies !! App is explaining all recipes in simple nd nice Vedio. Good one keep it up
Hi archana…Ur recepies r so gud n simple..I like to watch ur videos especially the ring in ur thumb finger which I have a same design… Keep going
I am from UK and loved brilliant photography, superb food, passion to share food’s love.
Found this blog as was curious to know about magicians behind the movement.
You have made millions happy and blessings from deep down my heart.
Hi Archana,
May I know where you from. I am just curious because of your surname.
And the recipes are good. I tried instant Dosa, poha dosa etc….
Regards,
H S VIJET,
BANGALORE
I love your posts Archana and god bless
Hebbar’s kitchen is superb!!!!
Hi Archana, Very recently I started to watch your blog. It is Poha idly.The same day I tried & came out very well. From that day I became your fan. The way you handle with ingredients & your presentation is very inspiring… Also tried your falefel balls & got very good comments from my family members… May God keep you & your family happy always…
I love the app Hebbars kitchen wow!!!! Awesome I tried many of them, my whole family liked the items that I cooked. It is all because of you that I got the passion for cooking…..
Thnx Archana … I started cooking for my wife from your videos , as she is a vegeterian. Stay Blessed forever !!!
MAM UR JUST AMAZING… EVERY DAY I WATCH YOUR AND LEARN SOMETHING, NEVER A DAY PASS WITHOUT WATCHING UR RECIPES. THANKS A LOT…. LOVE U FOR UR WAY HELPING US
Hi Archana,
The great hands behind Hebbar’s Kitchen!!! Thanks a lot for those short and sweet cooking videos which inspires anyone to cook and experiment. The videos are very clear. It makes us eagerly wait for your upcoming recipes. Hebbar’s kitchen is one of the biggest forum for vegetarians. Will be looking forward for more and more cooking recipes from you. Thanks once again for all your efforts.
Regards,
Sneha
Bangalore
Hi Archana
I tried your eggless chocolate moist cake yesterday. It sank in the middle and
although cooked, it was very heavy in the centre. I followed the instructions and baking temperature and baked for 40 minutes. This because at 25 minutes, the cake rose awesomely but centre not cooked and I further baked for another 10 mins. After that it sank in the middle. Could you advise where I probably would have gone wrong. However, taste was good 🙂
Hi Archana
I was not much interested in cooking but after watching your videos i have developed interest in trying out new recipes and till date not even a single recipe has turned out to be bad
The recipes are so simple and understandable and short and the ingredients are also very simple
I must say the best cooking help till day
Always eager to watch all the upcoming videos
Hi Archana
Hebbar’s kitchen has become a part of my life. I have tried many recipes, which have really come out very good. I really thank you and your husband for posting such amazing recipes. Keep going!!!
Ok
quotiing you, Archana, Cooking is an art rather than a task. So never force your child to learn cooking. If they really wish to learn then it is good to teach some skills on cooking, as it will be beneficial always. So whenever your child cooks; he (she) must cook with love and definitely it will turn up yummier than ever. More importantly, preparing food really calms anyone down. So it is a best way to cope with stress. And also cooking involves taste, smell, touch, sight and a right combination of spice and flavours. So always enjoy the moment of cooking. This will help you and your family to enjoy healthy and nutritious homely cooked food.
this is soooo very true…..its a THERAPHY….during stress….especially if you enjoy it , and get deeply involved in it. Then u come up with the best, and get a true and total satisfaction in giving a sumptious meal …to the person who truly relishes it…
Wish u all the best, i do follow many of ur recipes….
Hi Archana,
Hebbar’s kitchen is a very elegant site which makes it very appealing to us than the other existing culinary sites. All the recipes are excellent, we are waiting for many more such recipes, keep up the good work!!
Hi Archana,
Hebbar’s kitchen is a very elegant site which makes it very appealing to us than the other existing culinary sites. All the recipes are excellent, we are waiting for many more such recipes, keep up the good work!!
I was very curious to know who is behind the hebbars kitchens hand(thumb ring) archana I very very… Big fan of your Rcp I love them they r in so easy way anyone will love to cook it my son also love to watch your Rcp vdos thank you so much please keep on posting such easy Rcp videplos
God bless you
You are doing Archana on food that you prepare. God bless you. I am thrilled. Regards Anand
Hi Archana. Im a great fan of your recipes. I cook the routine stuff but you make even them soooo special. Simple ingredients simple steps and an extraordinary dish is ready.
I have never heard you talk while cooking. That lets more concentration on watching the recipes. Somehow off late I felt i want to see this wonderful person behind. You are so young and Amazing. Was expecting a middle aged woman. But you probably proved once again great things come in small packets. All the best and God bless.
Love your short and sweet video’s and the description’s of the same .The Video’s and pictures are very nice you feel like trying out the dish immediately.