At 69, Vandana G Talreja spends much of her day in her kitchen. From her home in Bengaluru, she prepares a new menu daily for residents of her society, which has around 1,480 flats. Her customers call her “Chef Talreja”. She takes private orders across the city and supplies dishes to Roxie, a restaurant and craft brewhouse in Bangalore.
Cooking has been part of Vandana’s life since childhood. She learnt to cook early and often helped prepare large family meals. Later, she learnt nuances of Sindhi cooking and traditional recipes from her late mother-in-law, which she continues. These traditions remain central even as she experiments with South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, and other cuisines.
Vandana is a vegetarian but also prepares non-vegetarian food for customers. Sindhi Mutton Curry and Chicken Minced Cutlets are among her best sellers and have earned praise from customers. At 57, after years of cooking for family and friends, she turned her passion into a home-based business. Her kitchen became her workplace, where she plans menus, sources ingredients, develops recipes, prepares orders and stays in touch with customers.
She starts early with breakfast, followed by lunch, evening snacks and sometimes dinner. Her son, Deepak, helps manage orders, packaging and deliveries, including orders through her WhatsApp Catalogue. What began as cooking at home has grown into a regular business serving people in her society and across Bengaluru.
In October 2024, she joined Roxie for a two-week culinary residency, “Home Chefs in Residence”, sharing dishes from her Sindhi heritage, including Dal Pakwan, Bhalla Papdi Chaat, Mutton Keema Samosa and Sindhi Mutton Curry. Dal Pakwan and Bhalla Papdi Chaat have since become part of the restaurant’s menu.
For Vandana, the kitchen has become her world. She finds purpose through cooking, her customers and the people around her. Cooking keeps her moving and curious, with menus to plan, flavours to balance and recipes to explore.
How old are you and how old do you feel?
I am 69 years old, but honestly, I feel closer to 40 on most days. Cooking is my secret. When I am in the kitchen, chopping, stirring, tasting and experimenting, time just disappears. The energy that I put into creating something delicious comes right back to me. There is nothing like the smell of garlic hitting hot oil or the joy of watching someone’s face light up when they take the first bite.
Cooking keeps me moving, but it also keeps my mind sharp. I am constantly thinking about what to cook, how to balance flavours and what I can try differently. I enjoy experimenting with new dishes and cuisines, and that keeps me curious. The appreciation I get from people who enjoy what I have made gives me energy to keep going.
That passion keeps my mind active, my body moving and my spirit light. So, while I know I am 69, I do not feel that age when I am in my kitchen. As long as I can keep cooking, learning, experimenting and sharing food with people, I feel young at heart.
What helps you maintain your physical, mental, and social well-being?
Staying active in the kitchen is my daily workout. Standing, preparing fresh ingredients and moving with intent keep my body energised, nimble and strong. I spend a lot of time on my feet, moving around the kitchen, and that keeps me active and energetic.
Cooking is also like constant brain training for me. I am always developing recipes, balancing flavours and managing different timings. Mastering a dish requires focus, creativity and problem-solving, and I enjoy figuring out how I can make something better. I am always learning something new, and that keeps my mind sharp and engaged.
Food is my love language. Cooking allows me to bring family, friends and customers together, sparking conversations, stories, laughter and a sense of community. I feel happy when people enjoy what I have prepared. Knowing that my food nourishes people and brings them joy gives me a sense of purpose. It keeps me engaged, active and connected, and keeps my spirit youthful.
What advice do you have for aging well?
I think age is truly a state of mind. To age well while keeping your spirit vibrant and youthful, find something you are passionate about. For me, that has always been cooking. Find something you love that gives you a reason to get out of bed each morning. When you are deeply involved in something you love, you have a sense of purpose and something to look forward to each day.
Never stop learning and creating. Keep challenging your mind, learn new skills and solve problems every day. I am still experimenting with new recipes and cuisines, and I enjoy discovering new ways to make a dish better. Curiosity keeps you going.
You do not need a rigid workout routine to stay active. Stay moving through whatever you do. I spend a lot of time on my feet, working with my hands and moving around the kitchen. That keeps my body nimble and strong and my mind alert.
Most importantly, nourish your relationships. Food is my way of bringing people together. Feed the people around you, both literally and emotionally. Building a community and staying connected keeps your heart full.
Listen to your heart, not the calendar. Do not let the number on your birthday define you. Focus on the energy, love and enthusiasm you bring to each day. Keep your curiosity and love for life alive.
Life expectancy 2023
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