Shilpi - You Cannot Learn Everything at Culinary School

I was very passionate about trying different cuisine, different restaurants, street foods etc. So started my page and kept on posting on Instagram.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I am Shilpi, face behind the page @shilpi.eats. I basically belong to Patna, Bihar. I am an MBA graduate and currently working in Finance in United kingdom from last 4 years.

I started my page in March, 2018. I was very passionate about trying different cuisine, different restaurants, street foods etc. So started my page and kept on posting on Instagram. During lockdown, I started making different dishes at home which I have learnt from my mother.

2. Which is your favourite cuisine and dish?

My favourite Cuisine is Indo-Chinese. From street side to posh restaurants, what attracts me everywhere is Indo- Chinese. From noodles to paneer chili, chicken chilli, spring roll, manchao soup all are my all time favourites.

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

If someone is passionate about food blogging, then this can definitely be opted as Career. Consistency is key here. You have to be consistent, post regularly, use correct hashtags then slowly you are going to progress.

Now-a-days, there are many different kind of opportunities one can get in food blogging like Collaborations, Paid Partnerships & Sponsorships, Staycations etc.

4. Can cooking be learnt at culinary schools or a natural talent is required?

According to me, you cannot learn everything at Culinary School. Cooking is something that should come to you naturally. Then only you are going to enjoy that. But Culinary Schools also play a good role in grooming you. And gives you exposure of world cuisine.

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

There are three basic factors which play key role -

Presentation of the dish - Because we eat first from our eyes
Taste of the dish - This is the major requirement
Hygiene - Food should be cooked in neat and clean environment.

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

I associate myself mostly with desserts and especially Chocolates. My pet name is CANDY and I have a sweet tooth. So chocolate you can say is my first love for sure.

7. Which is your favourite book and why?

I am an avid reader. I love reading all kinds of books. My recent favourite is "Thik Tumhare Piche" written by Manav Kaul. The way he has written, the language he has used and everything touches the heart.