Mrs Balbir Singh facts for kids
Mrs Balbir Singh (born in 1912, died in 1994) was a famous Indian chef, cooking teacher, and author. She started teaching cooking and homemaking in New Delhi in 1955. Her amazing book, Mrs Balbir Singh’s Indian Cookery, was first published in London in 1961. This book won awards and inspired many future Indian chefs and cookbook writers.
Contents
A Pioneer in Indian Cooking
Born in the Punjab region of India, Mrs. Singh was a leader in teaching and writing about cooking. Many well-known chefs, like Simon Majumdar from the Food Network, see her as the Julia Child or Mrs. Beeton of India. She graduated from cooking school in London in 1955. That same year, she returned to India to start her cooking and homemaking classes in New Delhi.
Mrs. Singh taught cooking for over 40 years. She became an expert on the history, culture, and science of different kinds of Indian cuisine. Her special way of writing detailed recipes and exact methods helped people make dishes for all events. This included family meals, dinner parties, and big celebrations.
Her Famous Cookbook
In 1961, she wrote Mrs. Balbir Singh’s Indian Cookery. This book became a lasting gift to India's food history. It was praised around the world and became a key guide for real Indian cooking. Many generations of home cooks and chefs used it. The book sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. It was updated and reprinted many times over the years with new recipes.
Her classes became very popular. In fact, for many people, taking her classes was almost a requirement before getting married! Mrs. Singh was also the first cooking expert asked by India's national TV network, Doordarshan, to host cooking shows. She taught people how to cook through these TV segments.
The Inspiration for Chicken Tikka Masala
Many of Mrs. Singh's recipes won awards. One special recipe even inspired the world's most popular Indian dish, Chicken Tikka Masala. Food historians Peter and Colleen Grove looked into where Chicken Tikka Masala came from. They suggested that a recipe for "Shahi Chicken Masala" in Mrs. Balbir Singh’s 1961 book might have been the start of this famous dish.
Her Lasting Legacy
Later in her life, Mrs. Singh combined her many years of experience with a new interest among Indians. People wanted to learn about international cooking. She made sure to use ingredients found in local markets. In 1994, she wrote Continental Cookery for Indian Homes, which had over 300 recipes.
This book was a great partner to her Indian cooking book. It also added to her cooking legacy. It helped Indian families who wanted to try new foods. In the book's thank you section, Mrs. Singh said she was inspired to finish it for her only grandchild, Pallavi. It was a wedding gift for her.
Many of the students from Mrs. Singh's cooking classes went on to become professional chefs. Her inspiration and influence can be seen in many modern Indian cookbook authors, restaurant owners, and cooking teachers. People who love real Indian food around the world still enjoy her dishes today.
Awards and Honours
In 1959, Mrs. Singh received an award from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This award recognized her work in showing the benefits of preserving food at home.
Her Books
- Mrs. Balbir Singh's Indian Cookery (1961), and later versions
- Continental Cookery for Indian Homes (1994)
