BBC Olive/June 2005
On trial: cookery schools

Spice Magic is judged by Paula Stain, Olive's editorial co-ordinator

The spiel

Curry might be Britain's unofficial national food but most Brits indulge in their favourite Friday night food at their local high-street Indian rather than create it at home. Pinky Lilani means to change all that and boasts that everything she demonstrates an be made in your own kitchen.

The lesson

Pinky covered the four main techniques: bhuna (the blending of spices); dhuan (smoking); tarka or bhaghar (infusion of spcies in hot oil to release the flavour) and dum (cooking in steam), then demonstrated five different dishes, offering useful tips along the way.

The verdict

I now know that fresh garlic, ginger, coriander and a handful of dried spices are all you need to make around 50 Indian dishes. I've also mastered the art of making Bombay potatoes in double-quick time and can create a meltingly tender lamb rogan josh that would shame my local curry house.

The damage

Five-hour courses cost £350 for groups of 2-8 people. The price includes the demonstration and lunch or dinner.