Food Blogging Is a Humongous Subject and Has Many Subdivisions - Harjeet Kaur


Life comes with its twist and turns. It is never a straight line. 


1. Tell us about your background and journey.

Born and lived all my life in a small city in Andhra, I am a Sardarni in Telugu land and I proudly call myself a South Indian Sardarni. Married at a tender age of 19 and a mom at 20, I was a happy-go-lucky homemaker, innocent in my bubble of marital security and being a hands-on mom. 

I started my career at the age of 40, after my husband’s demise. My whole world turned upside down. I had no clue where to look for work or what to do but I did numerous jobs. I had to be a single working mom to my kids. I don’t remember when I turned 50; the intervening ten years just passed in a daze of struggle. 

But the silver lining was my kids. They were doing well and started working at a tender age. All those years of struggle paid off. From a meek and timid homemaker, I turned into a full-time working woman. It was a trial by fire and I came out stronger than ever before. 

As it is said, when the going gets tough the tough get going. My first foray into writing was an out of the blue invite. I was offered a weekly column in The Hindu, Metro Plus. I did have my nose in books all the time but other than school essays and assignments, I had never done any serious writing. 

My column ran for six years. I wrote on varied topics from interiors to food, travel, fashion and trends. But freelance writing wasn’t going to help me pay the bills. My first job as a special instructor in schools paid me 200/- for a class of 2 hours. These classes were few; no classes during exam time or vacations. 

Then I went on to be a Spoken English Instructor, then ran a website named zarasuno.com, next was as admin and marketing for an upcoming mall and the last one was the crowning glory. I was the Communication and Social Media Manager in airlines. I have juggled so many jobs and my resume is like a juggler.

But then life throws you a bouncer when you least expect it. I had major spine surgery and had to quit working full time. At this time I turned to blogging and just poured out all my thoughts. I started blogging seriously. I have been consistent with my blog since then. 

It is a lifestyle blog but the food takes the high spot. My blog is now at 14th position in the world of Lifestyle Bloggers this year. I have just published my second recipe e-book and within a week it made it to top 6 on Amazon kindle. The base of my life was not built on self-love but rather, self-neglect, tolerating abuse or disregard from others. 

This lack of self-love fashioned an escalation in humiliation, toxicity and fatigue. On January 1st, 2020, I decided to change my perspective. I gifted myself the precious gift of Self-love. I decided to live for myself finally.


2. Which is your favourite cuisine and dish?

I started cooking at the age of 12 and for me, cooking is a manifestation of love. When I am cooking, I block everything else out of mind. Cooking is a passion and not just another routine. I love cooking but I do not like to spend hours in the kitchen.

I don’t stick to any one cuisine. Fusion cooking is my forte; curating new recipes by blending different cuisines is what I love to do. I am a jugaadu cook, but I can rustle up a splendid biryani with few ingredients.

I do not have one favourite dish but I do love creating my own Mocktails & Desserts. My first book ‘Sugar & Ice & All that’s Nice’ is all about that.


3. Should food blogging be just a passion or can it become a regular career?

Food blogging is a humongous subject and has many subdivisions. Home chefs like me share their culinary talents, while foodies share their gourmet tasting at the best food places and recommend them.

Then some dwell deep into traditional recipes and research about their lineage. If you reach out to the right audience and build up a massive following then it does become a career.


4. Which restaurants/food joints would you recommend to food lovers?

Any restaurant, café or food joint that has a brisk business is the best place to eat. The food would be fresh, hot and naturally delicious.


5. What makes you appreciate a particular dish or a restaurant and talk about it on your blog?

It could be a simple sandwich or an exotic Biryani, for me presentation is the key. Food should appeal to the eyes first, the aroma should then tickle the nose and when it reaches the mouth it should delight the tongue.


6. Is there a dish you particularly associate yourself with?

My family’s favourite chicken is the unique milk chicken that I learnt from my mom. Simple and relished by all; kids and grown-ups. The recipe is there on my blog. A close second would be the simple tomato rice which I spice up with freshly ground black pepper. My grandsons love to have it.


7. Which is your favourite book and why?

My favourite book rather my bible would be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

It has taught me these life lessons. “Life comes with its twist and turns. It is never a straight line”. My life has been just like that

“Pursue your dreams, passionately, and with your heart. Live the life that you want to live, work the job that you want to work.” That is what I have decided to do now.

“No matter what you do, make sure that you do it because it is what your heart and soul desire.”

“You will fail. Don’t give up in the process. Sometimes you win rest of the time you learn”.

And the best of all in which I believe in is- “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” And I have whispered my desires to the universe and I am achieving them.



- Interviewed by - Nishad Kinhikar