No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World

“Meherwan Irani has set the bar impossibly high for himself by titling his first book the No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World, but true to form he may have understated the reality. From street food to truck stops and from villages to palaces, Irani has written the most impactful book on Indian cookery since the first books from Madhur Jaffrey set the world on a collision course with deliciousness. If you love Indian food, Irani decodes the entire canon for the home cook without oversimplifying or diluting the most delicious of global cuisines.”—Andrew Zimmern, chef

“Meherwan Irani has strong opinions that will piss off approximately 60 percent of the Indian diaspora—and that’s exactly why this book matters. He’s given us permission to cook his delicious, loud, truly accessible food—the Chai Pani way. There’s a new number one cookbook on my shelf.”—Matt Rodbard, co-author of Koreatown and Koreaworld

“Chef Meherwan Irani’s book is more than a cookbook—it is a journey of flavor, memory, and migration. Through vibrant Indian recipes and heartfelt stories, Chef Meherwan celebrates heritage while reimagining tradition in a new world. Each dish reflects the spirit of home, resilience, and the power of food to connect cultures and generations.”—Vikas Khanna, chef and restaurateur

“When Meherwan Irani takes on a project, you know a sensory feast awaits. In his first book, No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World, he delivers exactly that. Meherwan has long championed Indian cuisine once dismissed as ‘too ethnic,’ bringing it into the mainstream through his amazing restaurants and addictive spices. This deeply personal book is filled with stunning photographs, heartfelt stories, Meherwan’s signature wit, and unforgettable recipes. Once you pick it up, it’s nearly impossible to put down.”—Maneet Chauhan, chef and television personality

“The only thing more exuberant and outrageous than the flavors in this book is the writing itself. Not only was No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World an adventure for my kitchen, but I can’t say that I’ve ever learned more from a cookbook. It’s not just recipes—it’s a window into the history and culture of one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating places and the food of its everyday life.”—Andy Pforzheimer, Chef, Founder of Barcelona Wine Bar and Bartaco

“At last! Meherwan Irani brings the incandescent magic of his restaurants Chai Pani and Botiwalla into our home kitchens. Irani’s voice is warm, generous, and encouraging, divulging all the ‘auntie holdbacks’—those critical steps that family cooks rarely share—and his shopping notes and spice guide alone are well worth the cover price! No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World is a bold claim for sure, but we’re 1,000% certain this volume is the best guide we’ve found yet to bringing the joy of Indian food into your home!”—Matt Lee and Ted Lee, authors of The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen

Meherwan Irani is currently a chef, restaurateur, and spice mogul. Along the way he’s been named one of Time’s People Changing the South, a Food & Wine Gamechanger, Southerner of the Year, and has won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant. Meherwan lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife and business partner, Molly, and a minimum of two goldendoodles at all times.

Jamie Feldmar is the co-author of five previous cookbooks and one memoir, including the James Beard Award-winning Taste & Technique and IACP Award-recognized Italian American. After starting her career as a Gourmet magazine intern in New York, she has gone on to write and edit for many of the country’s top food publications. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

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