Designing 'Bapu’s Curries': A Culinary Legacy

We partnered with Sangeeta Khanna, Sheeparna and Aditi to design Bapu’s Curries — a recipe book and heartfelt memoir capturing a father’s culinary legacy. The book is a compilation of recipes gathered by a father over his lifetime, blending flavors, personal stories, and cultural heritage. The brief called for a design that would preserve this culinary legacy while creating a visual and emotional connection to the rich Marwari culture. Key words: Heirloom + Heritage + Travel + Culinary story

Our design process began with deep immersion into the cultural roots and the personal narrative behind the recipes. Inspired by the intricate architecture of Jaipur and Delhi, and the symbolism of stamps that represented travel and exploration, we developed a visual language that reflected both tradition and worldly experience.  

Key design decisions included:

Minimalist Layout: A clean, spacious layout was designed to let the content shine, providing breathers in a text-heavy format.

Color Codes & Tags: Nine distinct sections were clearly differentiated using a thoughtful system of color coding and tagging, making navigation intuitive.

Cultural Motifs: Subtle references to Marwari heritage were integrated through patterns and visual elements drawn from architectural details.

Iconography: Simple markers and icons were introduced to convey key information quickly and elegantly.

The final publication was more than a cookbook; it was an heirloom — a thoughtful blend of flavors, stories, and culture. The design not only organized complex content but also created an immersive and emotional reader experience. It stands as a testament to our studio’s ability to create timeless, meaningful design rooted in heritage.