Namrata Sundaresan

Hey everyone! Did I forget to mention that I signed up for a cheese making course with Namrata Sudaresan of Kase, Chennai? Apologies. So sometime in July, 2020, I signed up for a cheesemaking course with Namrata. We do this online and on a one-on-one basis. I set my phone up. Namrata patiently sits and watches on her phone screen while I meticulously execute her instructions.

The last few months have been very productive. I have been streamlining my time and channelizing my energies towards the cheesemaking venture that I intend to kick off sometime over the next few months. I have learnt to make several kinds of cheese overtime, but will focus on these for starters:

1. Mozzarella
2. Feta
3. Halloumi
4. Cream cheese
5. Cottage cheese (not paneer)

But this blog is not to tell you about what I have learnt, where I faced failures and what my business plan is. This blog is to tell you about Namrata Sundaresan, my cheesemaking mentor, and though she may not know it, the one person who I look to for optimism and positive thinking in these uncertain times.

Now, while I generally appreciate people for who they are, I am not in the habit of glorifying anyone. But I need to pen this down about her. I honestly do not know her that well. I do not know about her past or present. We are not the best of friends, heck we may not even be friends and maybe even nothing more than polite acquaintances. What I do know, however, is that she churns out blocks of cheese which make the soul happy. Which make my soul happy. What I also know and have gotten used to is the calmness that grows on me whenever I speak with her.

I don’t know how her journey has been so far, and what ups and downs life has taken her through, but when she talks to me I see a clarity in thought that’s so uncomplicated. And as far as being a teacher and mentor is concerned, oh she has aced it and how! She has a vision-to teach as many people as possible (there’s a number which I can’t recollect) the skill of artisanal cheesemaking. And when she teaches, she puts in some of herself into the process. When a teacher does that, the student automatically wants to put in all of him/herself into learning and do justice to what’s being taught and learnt. Only a very selfless person can teach like that. I’ll go so far as to say that she may be the finest teacher I have known.

The last several months have been very tumultuous, on a personal and professional front. I have faced a lot of uncertainty, push and pull. So whenever I feel out of sorts and confused, my mind sends out Namrata-thoughts and I start to feel a little stable and grounded. I feel that eventually, things will sort themselves out and all will turn out well, and maybe even great.

Safe to say that Namrata has been a very very welcome addition to my life over the last few months, and she truly inspires me. And for this reason, she totally deserves to have a blog dedicated to her on my page. So here’s to you Namrata, for being you! Cheers!