Kalpana Talpade

Kalpana Talpade is a name synonymous with Pathare Prabhu cuisine. 

She has over 1K videos on her channel with over 50K subscribers. She is also the author of the book Kalpana Kitchen – A Pathare Prabhu Recipe Book

As a YouTuber and cookbook author, she has been instrumental in popularizing the traditional recipes of our community.

She is a woman who has actually upgraded her skills, becoming a YouTuber at an age when most of us would think of hanging up our boots. Let us take a look at her inspiring journey.

From Stenographer to YouTuber

Kalpana started her career as a stenographer at NOCIL, where she upgraded her skills to become a computer programmer. After opting for voluntary retirement in 1997-98, she explored various activities, including medical transcription and trekking. However, her true passion lay in cooking.

The Birth of a YouTube Channel

Kalpana’s daughter, Deepti, who was studying abroad, would often request her mother’s traditional Pathare Prabhu recipes. Kalpana would describe the recipes over the phone, but Deepti suggested creating videos for easier reference. Kalpana started uploading videos to YouTube, which quickly gained popularity among Pathare Prabhus worldwide.

Overcoming Technical Challenges

Kalpana faced several technical challenges in the early days of her YouTube channel. She began by recording videos on her son’s iPod camera, which had to be shot in one take due to editing limitations. She later upgraded to a smartphone and eventually invested in a tripod. With time, she mastered the art of voiceovers and video editing.

Accolades and Recognition

Kalpana’s hard work and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including:

  • Winning the Lufthansa Airlines Cooking Contest
  • Winning Glenmark Foundation’s Meri Poushtik Rasoi event in 2019
  • Participating in Masterchef India, Season 3, and making it to the top 20 contestants
  • Being a guest judge on Zee Marathi’s “Maharashtrachi Kitchen Queen” for a week

A Labor of Love

Kalpana credits her children, Deepti and Dhiren, for inspiring her to create content and helping her with the technical aspects of YouTube. Her love for cooking and sharing her heritage with others has driven her to continue updating her channel, which now generates a small income.

Daughter, Deepti and Family
With late husband Bipin, son Dhiren and family
With her grand daughters, Jaee and Urjaa

Kalpana Talpade’s story is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. Her YouTube channel is a treasure trove of traditional Pathare Prabhu recipes, and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Indeed, in the hope that we can all be inspired by her story, we offer her  –

Amcha Manacha Mujra