In the modest kitchen of a small rented house in Civil Lines, the tantalizing aroma of a family recipe for mutton curry mingles with the dreams of a 30-something woman who traded her lawyer’s robes for haldi-stained clothes. Meet Niiyatii Rathore, the founder of Tari, a home kitchen that’s as much about culinary delights as it is about stories and anecdotes for a passion that has been simmering since childhood.
Originally from Ajmer, Niiyatii moved to Jaipur to carve out an independent life, one where she could pursue her dreams. After completing her schooling from Mayo College in Ajmer, she went on to pursue Law at the Government Law College in Mumbai where alongside law she kept doing different internships and gigs around food. In May this year, she finally gave wings to her dreams by starting a home kitchen where the air is often filled with the strains of Kishore Kumar’s melodies, blending seamlessly with the sizzle of masala for her signature Mundota Maas.
As Niiyatii stirs the masalas being roasted with care, following a family recipe passed down through generations, her father’s wisdom resonates in her mind: the secret to a perfect curry lies in the coriander, added twice—once during cooking and again just before serving. This meticulous attention to detail and reverence for family recipes is evident in the offerings of Tari.
The name “Tari” itself is a testament to Niiyatii’s thoughtfulness. It refers to the crucial gravy component of meat dishes, sparking endless debates about its ideal consistency. This seemingly simple yet pivotal element inspired the name of her home kitchen, reflecting the nuanced care she puts into her cooking.
The menu at Tari is concise featuring just four dishes: Mundota Maas, a refreshing take on the traditional laal maas without the mathania mirch; Safed Maas, a healthier, yogurt-rich one-pot dish much like a mutton stew; Chicken 2012, a nostalgic tribute to her friends from her Mayo batch; and Keema Matar, a cherished recipe passed down from her mother, as on-vegetarian cooking is predominantly a male domain in her home. “I currently have just four dishes on the menu, and they are the best I make. Thus, there is absolutely no room for dissatisfaction”, she says.
Niiyatii’s culinary journey began when she was just 10 years old with Lauki Ka Halwa and at the age of 16 she had mastered mutton curry. “Cooking makes me glow,” she shares, her eyes lighting up. “It’s like the feeling after a rejuvenating salon session—relaxed, glowing, and ready to take on the world.”
However, the journey is not without its challenges. As a one-woman show, Niiyatii juggles everything from cooking to managing deliveries. Yet, her dreams are expansive. She envisions introducing some more meat dishes, a couple of vegetarian dishes and hosting pop-ups in cities beyond Jaipur, sharing her culinary creations with a wider audience.
With every dish, Niiyatii offers a taste of her heritage, a glimpse into her journey, and an invitation to savour the flavors of her passion. Through Tari, she is not only serving delicious food but also inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
Tusharika Singh
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