Thursday, December 18, 2025
ADVT 
Food

Chef Raj Thandhi - Recipe Developer & Food Stylist

Ancy Mendonza Darpan, 15 Apr, 2025
  • Chef Raj Thandhi - Recipe Developer & Food Stylist

Born in Victoria, B.C., and raised in Surrey, Raj Thandhi never expected food to be her calling. A trained graphic designer, her love for cooking truly ignited after her children were born. What started as an effort to decode heritage recipes soon became a mission—to preserve and translate traditional Punjabi flavors for a new generation.  

From perfecting age-old techniques to adapting them for a North American kitchen, she built a thriving online community of over 100,000 people who connect through cultural cuisine. To her, keeping Punjabi flavors on the table matters most—whether it’s through a classic dish, a creative fusion, or a quick weeknight meal.  

Now a professional recipe developer and food stylist, Raj collaborates with multinational brands to spotlight Punjabi flavors, ensuring they get the recognition they deserve. Her expertise has landed her on the pages of the Vancouver Sun, Globe & Mail, The Washington Post, and even on CBC.  

But she isn’t stopping there. With a hunger for knowledge, she’s now attending culinary school to earn her professional chef designation—turning a lifelong passion into a full-time career.  

Through her work, Raj Thandhi proves that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a bridge between generations, a celebration of culture, and a way to keep tradition alive in a fast-changing world. 

MORE Food ARTICLES

Mango Curry Truffles

Mango Curry Truffles

1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream 9 ounces high-quality bittersweet chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped, divided 1 teaspoon mild curry powder ½ cup mango puree

Pistachio Kulfi with Griddled Mangoes

Pistachio Kulfi with Griddled Mangoes

Squeeze the condensed milk into a bowl and beat in the rosewater and pistachios.  Lightly whip the cream until it holds its shape

Spiced Cantaloupe Smoothie

Spiced Cantaloupe Smoothie

Ingredients:1 cantaloupe, seeded and pulp scooped out 5 or 6 fresh mint leaves 1 Tb honey pinch of cayenne pepper or sliced red chilli pepper 1 cup plain yogurt and milk/soy milk

 

Pudina Lassi

Pudina Lassi

A very refreshing drink that soothes your digestive system. Thick curd is blended with chopped phudina, black salt, sugar, jeera and ice and served in chilled glasses topped with fresh sprigs of mint. Deliciously cool! 

Tarla Dalal’s Fruity Iced Tea

Tarla Dalal’s Fruity Iced Tea

A Cool-Drink to keep you cool This Summer Ingredients 1 glass orange juice 2 tea bags 2 glasses water 4 tbsp sugar 16 ice-cubes Garnish- mint leaves, 4 orange slices

It’s Cocktail Hour!

It’s Cocktail Hour!

With wedding season quickly approaching, brides and grooms are looking for the next ultimate cocktail to serve at their wedding receptions. The Keefer Bar is a Vancouver hot spot offering…