2025 South Asian Spotlight

Parsi Cooking Demonstration & Dinner

Parsis are a Zoroastrian community descended from Persians who migrated from Persia around 7th century, with most settling on the west coast of India. Over the past 1300 years, while it has adopted many Indian culinary ingredients and techniques, Parsi food has remained a unique regional cuisine that still echos flavours and techniques from ancient Persia.

Niloufer Mavalvala is the award-winning author of several books on Parsi cooking, and our guide this evening she shares her home with us for an intimate cooking demonstration and family style meal of traditional Parsi dishes, along with stories about the food and Parsi culture. This is a unique opportunity to dive into a rare and fascinating culinary tradition and learn about Parsi culture, traditions, customs, and heritage.

This special meal is one of six annual Ghambars – seasonal Zoroastrian festivals celebrating nature’s blessings and the creation of the world through communal feasting and sharing. The emphasis of the Ghambar is on gratitude, the spirit of community, a sense of belonging and, most importantly, the ideal of equality despite one’s class or financial status.

In addition, as we will be dining during peak mango season in our area, a special educational emphasis will be directed towards gaining insight into this heavenly fruit, its variations and the seasonal art of the mango pickle. We will discuss the many variations in taste and texture that can occur throughout the lifecycle of the fresh mango.

This event takes place at the author’s home in Mississauga, near Mississauga Rd. & Burnhamthorpe Rd.
(Address will be provided with purchase of tickets)
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Ghambar nu papayta ma gos
Typically using either lamb or mutton (we will be using Halal Ontario lamb) with potatoes braised with a blend of Persian and South Asian spices and enjoyed with warm rotis or crusty bread.

Jhinga ni khichri
A one pot lentil, rice and prawn concoction. Considered a comfort food and increasingly a go-to for health-conscious diners in the West who are relatively new to the perfectly balanced dish. This is generally spiced with a garam masala and served with Dahi ni Kudhi.

Dahi ni kudhi
This sauce can accompany just about anything on the Parsi table, but traditionally a must have with Jhinga ni khichri. A delightful combination of yoghurt , curry leaves, chillies, turmeric, fried onions and garlic which is served warm.

Keri nu buffenu
a special pickle prepared with ripe sweet whole mangoes, skin on, eaten as a condiment alongside the main meal.

This family style meal will be served with sides of papadam, radishes and carrots, providing a clean, fresh, palate-cleansing crunchiness to contrast the rich and savoury elements.

Fresh mango ice cream
We will be enjoying the peak of mango season during this meal and what better way to highlight the magic of this fruit than with ice cream? Our newly gained education in all things mango from Niloufer will help us to especially appreciate the finale of this celebratory meal.
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$79 +HST

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Niloufer Mavalvala is an experienced home cook and an award-winning author, who believes her passion has a purpose. Her passion is teaching cooking, and her purpose is to spread ancient Parsi cuisine far and wide. She enjoys cooking for others, having been influenced by her family of good home cooks, particularly her mother and aunt. She was born and raised in Karachi and has lived in several cities, including Dubai, London, and Toronto. Niloufer enjoys welcoming people from other cultures and cuisines because she feels that food connects us all and that breaking bread together is the easiest way to bond. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and her website, Niloufer’s Kitchen. nilouferskitchen.com | @nilouferskitchen

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The Depanneur is a place where Interesting Food Things Happen. For more than a decade The Dep has been showcasing Toronto’s remarkable culinary diversity through thousands of unique food events as well as the forthcoming Depanneur Cookbook, featuring 100 recipes from 100 cooks. After more than 10 years at its iconic College Street location, The Dep is now bringing all new Interesting Food Things to exciting venues all across the GTA.
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