The torch bearer of the Patak's legend, Anjali Pathak from Bolton, has grabbed the attention of the media with her new book 'Secrets from my Indian Family Kitchen'.
The book, that will be available in the UK shops later this month, in a magenta and gold cover takes its inspiration from the recipes that she learnt from her family in a beautiful collection of authentic Indian dishes and modern creations that are perfect for all cooks. Each recipe has a special memory on her journey of discovery into the wonderful flavours and ingredients of Indian cooking.
It also has pictures of Anjali as a child and photos of her parents Kirit and Meena, as children to bring the book to life and to show how her food life has developed under her family's influence. Everything in the book is spice-related, but not necessarily Indian.
There are recipes for rushed days, along with sun filled burbecue get togethers, showstopper dinner party mains or for health conscious in need of nutritious, feel good meals.
Scattered throughout are Anjali's 'My Secret' stamps giving the one tips on how to make most of your ingredients, ways to tweak the recipes for slightly different, yet still scrumptious results and her favourite suggestions.
Anjali's grandparents, Laxmishanker (popularly known as Lakhubhai) and Shantagauriben arrived in Britain in the 1950s and began selling Indian sweets and snacks from their small London home before opening a grocery store near Euston Station. They eventually moved into making the products the brand is known for today and in 1984 the business moved to Lancashire, first to Haydock and then to Abram near Leigh where the Patak factory is still based (the H was dropped in the 1960s to make the name easier for British consumers to pronounce).
The Patak's brand is among the most recognisable on British supermarket shelves and their products are now stocked around the world. Anjali, 33, now will also heighten that international reputation by launching an academy in Mumbai. In an interview she said that Indians nowadays like to eat out a lot, as there are cheaper options in India. Therefore, many fancy restaurants have opened up in India, and people are keen to cook different dishes on their own at home with ease.
She and Meena wrote a book in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the company which contained traditional family recipes. Her new cookery book is out in shops this month.
Secrets from my Indian Family Kitchen by Anjali Pathak. Published by Mitchell Beazley. Price £20.
