Frustrated by the lack of straightforward Indian cookbooks, Monica became inspired several years ago to develop simplified and healthful versions of her favorite Indian dishes. The result is her highly praised first cookbook, The Spice Is Right: Easy Indian Cooking for Today (Callawind Publications, 2001), a collection of mouth-watering menus tempered with the author's up-to-date touches on classic Indian recipes. Monica guides Indian food lovers on an easy-to-use foray into the flavors, ingredients, techniques, and tips to home-style cooking using over 150 recipes.
Growing up outside of India, Monica learned authentic Indian dishes from the talented and knowledgeable hands of Indian women in her family and neighborhood. As she moved from kitchen to kitchen, she gathered the delightful anecdotes that now accompany these recipes-all told in the down-to-earth and lively voice that infuses each page with the energy and passion she has for food, family, and India.
Monica has been instrumental in the creation, organization, and expansion of the eGullet Culinary Institute focusing on providing online cooking classes. The institute has been described as the "Next Food Network" by the Washington Post. In addition, through collaboration with top cookbook publishing houses in the U.S., she garnered a veritable who's who of award-winning authors-including James Peterson, Paula Wolfert, James Villas, and Mark Bittman-to teach cyber-classes, participate in Q&A's, provide recipes and in-depth biographies, and provide books for giveaways.
The author also contributes to FabulousFoods.com, maintains a regular column for DeliciousIndia.com, and her work has appeared India New England News, India Abroad and India's number one woman's magazine Femina. She has appeared on Food Network Canada on "Christine Cushing Live" and the nationally syndicated food show on Talk America Radio with host Jennifer English.
In addition to her writing and editing culinary experience, Monica also actively conducts PR events for local restaurants, chefs and wine distributors, and has coordinated ticketed book and culinary author events in tandem with the book's publicist and author.
Born in India, thirty-three-year-old Monica moved to the United States in 1991. She has an engineering degree from Bangalore University and two masters in information systems technology from George Washington University. She is the founder of Spice is Right Culinary Consulting. Monica's newest cookbook, "The Everything Indian Cookbook: 300 Tantalizing Recipes--From Sizzling Tandoori Chicken to Fiery Lamb Vindaloo (Everything Series)" will publish in April 2004. Bhide is also the recipient of the Susan B. Langhorne Scholarship for Food Writers at the Symposium for Professional Food Writers held at the Greenbrier. She currently resides in Washington, DC, with her husband, Sameer, and four-year-old son, Jai.
