About Alamelu Vairavan

She has also contributed several recipes to the American Dietetic Association  cookbook, Cooking Healthy Across America (2004, John Wiley, N.Y.)

Alamelu has a passion for educating the public about the use of spices and legumes in preparing tasty and healthful foods. She is also interested in educating the public about the growing research that points to the enormous health benefits of
spices in preventing many diseases.

As a culinary instructor, Alamelu offers classes teaching the public easy ways to  prepare and enjoy foods using legumes, spices and herbs. Her classes have been offered through community education, hospital and university outreach programs and the Chef Series at Waukesha Culinary Arts Program in Wisconsin. Alamelu also offers “wellness programs” for corporate employees.

She has been featured on numerous national and regional TV shows including appearances on PBS, Discovery Channel, Fox and CBS programs. Alamelu has also been a featured guest in many radio shows in several states. Her books and recipes have been featured in magazines and newspapers including USA Today,  the Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Enquirer, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Wisconsin Woman and India Today.

Alamelu came to the US shortly after her marriage. Although she did not know anything about cooking itself, as she was growing up in her parents’ home she had the privilege of enjoying a wide variety of exquisite foods prepared by professional chefs.

Alamelu learned South Indian cooking techniques from a well-known Chettinad chef, Nedungudi Natesan, in her Aunt Mrs. Visalakshi Alagappan’s home in New York. She found immediate joy in cooking. Frequent visits to India have helped Alamelu expand her culinary knowledge. She wishes to share with others her rich culinary heritage and the great joy she has known in cooking for family and friends.