Business & Tech
Turning a Kitchen Into a Classroom
Some of Monica Bangia's friends didn't know how to cook. So she decided to make a career out of teaching them.
When you walk into Monica Bangia’s Maplewood home, you immediately notice the delicious scents. The aroma invites you to stop whatever you are doing, head immediately to the kitchen, grab a spoon and taste what is cooking on the stove. Her love of cooking is what drove this 37-year-old mom to throw on an apron and pursue her passion.
When her daughter, now 6, began preschool, this former client services manager began wondering what she should do with her life.
“I knew I didn't want to go back to corporate America and I also didn't want to be out of the house since my husband works such long hours,” Bangia said. “Cooking and entertaining had become a big part of my life. I come from a family of foodies. We all talk about food all the time. As I spoke to friends and people here in Maplewood, I realized not everyone knows or even likes how to cook.”
With that realization, her cooking business, Sharing Plate, was born in 2008.
The Bangias have lived in Maplewood for eight years, and had always planned on renovating and expanding their kitchen. When the business launched, they moved ahead with their plans.
“We wanted to have a big enough kitchen so that I could have room to teach and cook,” Bangia said.
“I either have people over in my kitchen or go to their homes to teach them how to cook. I do one-on-one classes for people who want to learn specific dishes, otherwise I offer group cooking classes and come up with the menu,” Bangia said.
While Bangia, who is of Indian descent, teaches Indian cuisine, she also teaches other cuisines, such as Italian meals. No matter what the cuisine, Bangia teaches ways to prepare dishes that don't require inordinate amounts of time, which she believes is important to women, especially moms.
“Especially in this economy where people are looking to save money, it's important to stay home and cook!" Bangia said. “I mostly cook pastas, Indian food, Southwestern cuisine. I love bold flavors and use lots of garlic, cilantro, etc. I don't have a favorite meal—I am always trying to cook different things.”
Monica’s classes tend to be small and intimate.
“I prefer to have no more than 6 people per class. This way everyone gets to participate. And, everyone gets to take home some goodies to enjoy,” laughs Bangia.
Monica’s next class, titled Pasta Indulgence, will be held on March 5. It will be followed by a March 12 class called Demystifying Indian Food. Both classes are held in the evening, beginning at 7:00 pm, Monica does offer day and weekend classes as well. “I am very flexible and will work with people’s schedules,” she says. She also shares free recipes and tips through her blog.
“I am sending out recipes at least five times a week. I love including some comments about what I have cooked, why and how the recipe came about,” Bangia said.
She added that her ultimate goal is “to reach people who need to be inspired to cook with easy and healthy everyday recipes.”
While classes are $50, Monica also offers one-on-one classes, which are $90 for the first hour and a half and $40 for every additional half hour.
If you are interested in learning more about Monica’s services or sign up for her blog, you can reach her at at 973-214-2016 or e-mail her at monica@sharingplate.com.
