In conversation with a highly successful vegan and vegetarian culinary chef, Chandni Daga.  After graduating from the University of Houston with a Supply Chain Management Business degree, Chandni’s heart was never in the corporate world. Her passion for baking overruled the job search and she started baking delicious goodies right out of her home kitchen. Chandni started baking at a very young age for her friends and family.  She followed her dreams and launched Cici’s Delights to provide “bake-to-order” customizable desserts. Chandni bakes everything at home with high quality ingredients. All the baked goods at Cici’s Delights are egg-less, as she is a vegetarian herself.

Chandni always has a beautiful smile on her face and a spiritual approach towards life. She loves exploring new restaurants, cooking amazing meals for her husband, friends and family. Chandni shares her culinary journey, tips for baking, career advice for bakers, favorite restaurants and my favorite mini doughnuts recipe.

Tell us about your professional background?

I’ve been baking for friends and family from a very young age – so the passion has been there from the onset. My passion for baking for friends and family ultimately turned into a formal business – Cici’s Delights which provides freshly baked and customized vegetarian and vegan desserts in Chester, Virginia. In additional to Cici’s Delights, I took a six month culinary course at the Natural Epicurean Culinary Institute for vegan and vegetarian cooking and learned various techniques and used across different types of food and vegetables. Lastly, I took a plant based vegan pastry course in New York City which focused on healthy but delicious desserts.

When did you first start cooking and who inspired you? 

I started cooking at a very young age as I grew up watching my mother and grandmother cook in the kitchen. They serve as my biggest role models in life and my inspiration for cooking and baking. In additional to my mother and grandmother, my oldest brother gave me the idea and a push to start CiCi’s Delights when he noticed how much friends and family were enjoying the desserts I made.

What would be your advice for people starting culinary school specifically for those who are Vegetarian?

You’ll be at nervous at first, who wouldn’t be nervous when doing something new? But have fun! Cooking, like anything else in life, is about learning and enjoying what you do. There are so many techniques and cuisines out there – just learn and enjoy and the rest will fall into place. Don’t be scared to experiment (trial and error, substitute ingredients, etc.) because that’s what leads to innovation in the kitchen and makes your dish unique and delicious.

You are an amazing baker. What are 2-3 things people should keep in mind when baking?

Time, temperature and measurements – without these three things, it’s impossible to bake anything.

What are your favorite cook books?

Tarla Dalal is where I started off because her books are a great starting point for vegetarian cooking. I also like bloggers such as minimalistic baker and Hebbars Kitchen (youtube blogger).

Do you follow any chef or cooking show for vegetarian recipes?

My favorite baking shows are Cupcake Wars, Cake Boss, Cake Wars, and my favorite cooking shows are Iron Chef, Chopped, Master Chef, and Beat Bobby Flay.

What is your favorite healthy snack?

My favorite healthy snacks are kale chips and granola.

Do you follow any specific diet to stay fit and healthy?

Since cooking and baking are my passion I don’t have a specific diet I follow. I just cook from my heart and exercise daily. However I do adhere to the principal that everything is ok in moderation.

What is your favorite vegetarian dish you like to cook or eat?

Pav Bhaji from Hebbars Kitchen.

Whats your secret HOT sauce?

I cheat on the secret Hot Sauce and use Mamouns Hot Sauce (I buy a few bottles every time I come to New York)

You have lived and traveled to many different places, share your favorite places to visit for my readers?

Obviously INDIA – you can get anything and everything there. Roadside food in India is absolutely some of the best food I’ve ever had. I also loved the food in Interlaken, Switzerland, St. Louis, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado. They had many vegetarian and vegan and options. My absolute favorite in the states was an Indian place called Masala in Denver.

Your top five favorite restaurants?

Torchy’s Taco

Thai Gourmet

Mamouns

Beyond Sushi

Lemon Indian Cuisine