I feel quite lucky to have been an audience member during the taping of Huma Siddiqui's cooking show. I have been a guest at two of the shows, and wish I had been at every one offered. It feels like I am sitting in the kitchen of a good friend, who is warm and funny and cooking up a storm, including a plate for me. As a teacher, she is a rare find: inviting, charismatic and accessible. Watching her, the dishes become simple to prepare. It is clear that all the average Joe needs to create the same magic at home are large containers of excellent garlic and spices, and a very large spoon for measuring those spices. And some good yogurt from Whole Foods.

I have a keen interest in food; how it nourishes our bodies and souls and how to make that nourishment more a daily occurrence in our lives. As a waiter and caterer, I have experience with the very real fear of food, flavor, and cooking that many people have. The success of TV chefs like Emeril and Rachel Ray also attest to this. Their "Come on!You can do it too!" approach has become something that people can wear like a super hero's cape. Huma's show, while a bit quieter, takes this a step further. She is bringing us flavors that take us far away and home, at the same time. Her direct and simple approach makes a connection with those viewing the taping. She is cooking as if for her family; introducing Pakistani cooking to those who are unfamiliar, or reminding those who are familiar how quick and simple it can be to cook something that will warm and satisfy! Audience members that I have shared the table with have ranged from cooking school graduates to families that are comfortable mainly with Minute Rice, and Huma's confidence and ease with people allow everyone to relax and bask in the experience. And the smells! Within five minutes the entire area
is deliciously fragrant and I start to daydream about the good fortune my stomach is about to enjoy.

If through some magic food lottery I were granted a personal audience with any Food Network celebrity chef, I would ditch it and go to see Huma's show. Or, I would bring them along and show them a wonderful thing.

Nancy Sorensen
Caterer and Food Writer
Madison, WI

Dear Huma,

I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful time and what a joy it was meeting you.  Not only did you make me feel as if we had been friends for years, you were so kind to my friends Mary Helen and Carl Ripley.  They too enjoyed every minute of the taping experience.

I tried your Spicy Grilled Chicken with the Tandoori Masala and loved it!  I have passed out the masala and the recipe to several of my friends - I will have to order more soon.  I am going to try it at our deli as a sample and see what our customer's reactions are.  I'll let you know what they think - I already know it will be a huge hit.

Again, thank you for such a delightful time.  Seeing you in action was totally awesome!  And my friends were green with envy that I got to go to a TV taping.

Fondly, Jane
Arizona, TX 

Dear Ms Siddiqui,

Assalamu alaikum!  I love your web site and your spices and recipes.  Do you ever have plans to visit the Washington area and give classes or demonstrations?  I'm sure you have many fans in the Maryland-D.C.-Virginia area who would love to meet you and attend a class or demonstration.  Please consider planning a trip to the east coast.  And please keep up your excellent work promoting Pakistani cuisine and the (true) Pakistani culture.

Wassalam,

Courtney Schatz
Washington D.C.

Huma -Asalaamo Alaykum & Ramadan Mubarak!

I wanted to let you know that I really enjoy watching your program on Bridges TV and I have learned a lot of new recipes from watching it.

I was wondering if you have a recipe for pheniyaan or if it is available from your website?

Thank you,
Amy Khan
California

Dear Huma,

I happened to come across your video of your cooking on youtube. You dont know how
much I want to thank you for your excellent program. My wife is American and this will
help us tremendously in getting the flavors of home-cooked meals! I am the cook in the
family but sometimes she likes to dabble in Pakistani dishes.

We look forward to getting your DVD!

Thank you again.
Mamoon and Suzanne Ansari
Illinois

Huma is a delight to watch.  In addition to teaching observers how to create the dish that she is preparing, she also tells stories about her life in Pakistan.  Not only did I learn how to create simple dishes with wonderful flavor, I also got a history lesson, all in a welcoming environment.  I suggest everyone watch one of her shows.  But be warned, you can't stop at just one.

Margie Yankowski
Madison

Huma,

I am so happy to see your web site has clips of you TV show.  I was a kitchen helper for you when you were in Evansville, Indiana at Kitchen Affairs.  My family just LOVES your food and recipes. My kids are college age, so we had a great time on New Years Eve cooking together.

We started 2007 off with a meal made from Jasmine in Your Hair.  And since we, cooked out of the book three times.

Just being able to see clips of you cooking, refreshes my memory of how we did some things in your class.

Do you know how to make the meat that is served in Gyros? It seems to be a mixture of several things. I can not buy it already made here in Evansville.  If you have a recipe, could you email it to me? 

..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Carla Lemar -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
...because Life is Magical!
Indiana