What if the immigrant story you’ve heard is only half the truth?

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Shiva Reddy—sommelier, food columnist for CBC Vancouver, and host of the acclaimed docuseries Not Your Butter Chicken. We talk about identity, heritage, and the power of food to connect us to our culture and the women who shaped it.

Shiva shares the deeply personal story behind the series, inspired by her mother’s dementia and her own journey to reclaim the flavors and traditions of her Indo-Fijian roots. From hustling samosas as a teen to becoming a celebrated wine expert, Shiva’s story is full of resilience, tenderness, and a lot of flavor.

You’ll hear about:

🍛 The role of sewa and community in South Asian culture
🧵 Why the stories of immigrant women often go untold
🍷 Her unique philosophy on wine

This conversation left me thinking about the women in my own family—the ones who passed down recipes, love, and history through food. I hope it does the same for you.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Watch Shiva's new docuseries, Not Your Butter Chicken, now on CBC Gem and Telus
• Try Shiva’s dal recipe at exploreinmykitchen.com

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SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish at a time, by exploring culture through food. I do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

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