My Story

Sid, founder of Little Rasoi, in the kitchen cooking delicious Indian food at a yoga retreat event.
Cooked chicken pieces in a dark sauce with chopped fresh herbs on top, in a frying pan.

Hi, I’m Sid. I was born in New Delhi and lived in Calcutta (now Kolkata) before moving to the UK when I was nine years old.

Sketch of a chili pepper with a curved stem, drawn with simple lines.
A man with gray curly hair and a beard is leaning over a table filled with multiple white bowls of food, drizzling sauce on the dishes.

I'm celebrating recipes that have been in my family and other families for generations, celebrating food from the varying regions of India and recipes from the streets of India. India is the largest democracy in the world. I’m celebrating how history and multicultural influences have shaped Indian cuisine. Influences from the Moguls, Portuguese, French, British, Chinese. It's simple AND complicated. It’s more than just a “curry”

A rough sketch of a goat's head with horns and a beard, followed by a cursive signature or handwritten text.
Black and white sketch of two vanilla bean pods with visible seeds.

My use of spice is different - I cook a lot with whole spices, to enhance flavour. I let people know to watch out for the cardamom, cloves and cinnamon bits. This encourages people to eat more consciously and be more present with their dining experience. You're being mindful of what you're eating. Because, whilst the clove or cardamom impart so much good flavour, if you bite on one, it’s not pleasant. So I like the riskiness of this experience! It tastes better when you have to work for it..haha

Delicious and different, I want people to feel my food.

Comfort, a big hug. Like they're sat with their family, enjoying delicious food over great conversation, creating great memories.
I want people to have a new experience, but for me it’s a nostalgia that I’m passionate to share.

It's changing the narrative. I want to change people's perception of Indian food.

Rasoi;

the home kitchen - the word often carries a cultural warmth, symbolizing the heart of the home where meals are lovingly crafted.

Back in 2019 I started cooking outdoors a lot. Something ignited during one cook and I thought “other people must try this”. So one day, I decided to cook for some neighbours. I started knocking my neighbours' doors and it grew to about 60 or 70 people.

My mother and I made just three home cooked dishes – a pakora, daal and a chicken dish. The way we cook all the time. Our humble home food was received really well. It just shows that, it doesn't matter what culture you're from, just being part of a community can be huge and impactful, and I think this type of food brings that.