Beyond the Recipe Card

Over an evening coffee, we sat down with Usha Ruia Patwari to talk about her latest work, Not Just a Cookbook. Fresh from its launch, the book already carried a sense of warmthmuch like its author, who greeted us with an easy smile and an unmistakable glow of accomplishing something deeply personal.

- Sonakshi Kurbah

This isn't just a collection of recipes," she said with a warm smile, wrapping her hands around her cup. “Every dish, every setting, every memory in here—I lived it, prepared it, and perfected it before putting it down on paper,” she adds.

This isn't just a collection of recipes," she said with a warm smile, wrapping her hands around her cup. "Every dish, every setting, every memory in here-I lived it, prepared it, and perfected it before putting it down on paper," she adds.

Usha Ruia Patwari’s journey into the world of table styling, menu designing, and serving aesthetics is a testament to her passion for creativity. With a BSc in Home Science from Sir Vithaldas Thackersey College of Home Science, Mumbai, Usha has always sought to merge beauty and functionality in unique ways. Whether it’s coming up with elegant table settings, innovative food presentations, or curating menus that cater to diverse palates, her work embodies a deep sense of artistry and refinement.

What started as a personal endeavour to experiment with creative tablescapes soon evolved into something far greater. Usha initially shared her work through a website, later expanding to workshops for individuals and home groups. Her talent did not go unnoticed, and soon she found herself invited to various clubs to demonstrate her craft to a diverse audience. As her reputation grew, so did her aspirations. She decided to pen down her expertise into a book, which was a culmination of years of learning, refining, and perfecting the art of table styling.