Meet
Rachana
Rachna is a Mumbai based culinary curator and entrepreneur whose journey with food is deeply rooted in tradition, discipline, and lived experience. Her inspiration to pursue cooking professionally took shape during her early exposure to the kitchens and hospitality culture at Taj Mansingh, where she first observed the precision, grace, and respect with which food is crafted and presented at the highest level. Originally from northern India and now based in Powai, Mumbai, Rachna’s cooking philosophy is guided by authenticity and patience. She believes that flavor begins long before cooking, through careful sourcing, slow techniques, and freshly ground spices prepared in house. For her, the kitchen is not only a workspace but a space of calm, focus, and creative expression.
Over the past fifteen years, Rachna has built Ambrosia, a successful culinary venture known for its soulful food, curated menus, and warm, detail-oriented approach to hospitality. Her work spans private dining experiences, curated food festivals, and bespoke events, where storytelling through food plays a central role. Beyond her professional life, Rachna is a single mother to two grownup children, a role that has shaped her resilience, independence, and work ethic. Balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, she continues to build her craft with quiet determination and integrity. Creatively inclined, she also finds joy in painting, writing poetry, driving, dancing etc. Her love for the arts extends into her personal spaces, which are adorned with her own handcrafted pieces, each reflecting her belief that food, like art, is an expression of emotion, memory, and care.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(2-6 guests)
Your Mumbai in-home dining experience is designed as an intimate, thoughtfully curated journey that reflects Rachna’s philosophy of soulful cooking and warm hospitality. You can expect a relaxed yet elegant setting, where each course is prepared with attention to detail, balance of flavors, and respect for traditional techniques. The menu is seasonal, and changes based on fresh produce and the chef’s creative interpretation, offering a well-rounded selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Expect slow-cooked meats, delicately spiced gravies, and carefully layered flavors that highlight the depth of Indian cooking without being overpowering. Vegetarian preparations focus on freshness, texture, and comfort, while seafood and meat dishes are crafted to be rich yet refined. Meals are served in a paced, unhurried manner, allowing guests to savor each course and engage with the story behind the food. The experience concludes on a gentle, nostalgic note with a traditional dessert, offering a sense of completeness and warmth.
Cooking experience:
(2-6 guests)
For your hands-on cooking class in a Mumbai home you are invited into Rachna's home for a guided cooking session. This interactive experience offers insight into local ingredients, family recipes, focusing on techniques, spice balance, and the small details that define flavor. Your Mumbai cooking class is designed to be engaging and unhurried, allowing guests to observe, assist, and understand the nuances behind cooking Indian food, from a carefully spiced curry to a well-balanced vegetarian preparation or a signature meat specialty. Emphasis is placed on method and intuition rather than rigid recipes. After the cooking class, guests come together to enjoy the meal they have helped prepare, creating a natural transition from the kitchen to the table. The experience encourages conversation, shared learning, and a deeper appreciation of the food, making it as much about connection and storytelling as it is about cooking.
Languages spoken:
English, Hindi
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
This is a new host who does not yet have any reviews. You can see reviews of our other Mumbai Traveling Spoon experiences on TripAdvisor:
