Culinary stylists have their own niche in the vast industry of food and beverage. The term "food artists" better describes what they do because of their creative approach to cooking. They need to use elements such as colour, form, texture, and flavour pairing to make a plate that is as visually appealing as it is delicious. While these professionals operate in various industries, one in India has earned a reputation for herself and does it out of passion, sans the monetary gain. Meet Rohini Deepthi Natti, who has been spreading cheer with simple, cute, healthy food using natural and safe hues. She has garnered a sizable following on Instagram in a short time, largely thanks to her innovative and visually appealing approach to food design.
Among all her creative tweaks to traditional food, the ones around South Indian breakfast staple, i.e., idli, are the most raved. A testament to it is a simple hashtag search on Instagram, #letsidli leads to her creative world. Her brilliant skills got her the opportunity to work with Prime Video on the movie "Ammu," which was a collab. She conveyed the film's message using stop-motion idli art.
In an unfiltered and candid conversation with Slurrp, Rohini shared her life, work, food tales and more.
Excerpts:
Q. How would you describe yourself as a part of the culinary sector?
Above and beyond everything, I am a mom and know how much effort it takes to raise a healthy, happy kid. Food art is my way of helping to make mom's life easier and her kid(s) happier. My creations are simple and healthy, and very appealing to kids. One can check them under #LetsIdli #LetsDosa #LetsDohDoh.
Q. Since when did you get into food art? What was the inspiration?
I am a living liver donor. I had a major liver surgery in 2019 when my son, Adi, was just 2.5 years old. With this unexpected event, several realisations dawned upon me. I conceded how blessed I am for being alive and also that all this while, I didn't document enough memories for my son to remember me. Upon returning home, I decided to record as much as possible.
Adi loves reading books with breakfast. It is our bonding time. Once, we were reading about crabs, and he asked me if I could make it. The next morning, I designed a crab with two mini idlis, one giant idli and a few cashews. His reactions were my Eureka moment. That's how my journey on Instagram started.
An edible boat story made using natural colours
Q. What is your USP as a food artist?
Simple healthy food with a cute twist that kids can't resist!
Q. Have you got trained in this art form?
I am a self-trained food artist. I have been training my mind to think consciously and continuously for years. I get ideas in my dreams and, on waking up, transform them into realities.
Q. What is the source of your creativity?
I love challenging myself. I enjoy the feeling of rush while executing these ideas. Taking up these creative food challenges is like an addiction.
An assortment of food arts by Rohini
Q. What has been the most rewarding experience for you in your social media community?
Countless smiles and love that I have been receiving from moms and their little ones every single day. It has been a very overwhelming experience for me to hear moms share their stories of trying my food art with their kids.
Q. What is the most requested query?
My idli batter recipe and the natural and safe food colouring.
Q. Could you positively alter your child's and other kids' eating behaviour?
My son has a very healthy relationship with food. One may pass it off crediting to my good fortune. But the effort and love I put in can't be ignored. Many moms reverted back to saying how helpful my ideas have been when their kids were sick or not eating well.
Q. Does the shape, colour and presentation of food matter?
Mealtimes can be a wholesome sensory experience. First, we see or smell it, then touch, feel and taste it. Hence, here's our chance to enhance it all. What's on our plate has the power to activate all our senses and influence our mood. It has this ability to reminisce about our experiences from the past. It has the capacity to store memories from the present. Spin stories about it to make it fun. Add vegetables to make it colourful and appealing.
Q. How do you colour your food? Which ingredients do you use?
I use fresh vegetable purees, flower extracts or their dehydrated powders. Boiled and pureed beetroot makes up for red and pink. Green comes from spinach, coriander, ajwain leaves, matcha or any fresh green leaves. Steam and blend them into a puree. Turmeric gives the yellow tinge. Blue comes from blue butterfly pea flowers. For purple colour, I usually mix beetroot and butterfly pea flower hues. Red cabbage is an option, but it has an intense flavour. For a pale orange tint, boiled and blended carrots are best. To make it brighter, I mix beetroot and turmeric into it.
Q. Which has been the most popular recipe so far? What is your favourite your creation?
Honestly, it's tough to pick one. But there was this one collaboration I had done with Prime Video for the movie Ammu. I used stop-motion idli art to convey the essence of the film. It was a proud moment.
Idli art by Rohini for the movie Ammu by Amazon Prime Video
Q. Usually, a platform like Instagram promotes visually appealing foods and drinks. How can a user identify what tastes good?
The user can do it by trying it. The followers try and share their experiences with other moms and me.
Q. Is there any underrated Indian dish you want to revive with your arty touch?
Yes, and it's the idli. Think about it, whether you are a baby or a granny, sick or need to cook something quick, what can be a better fit than our humble idlis?
Q. What do you intend to convey through your food art?
Food is magical! Mealtime is considered a family time for many. Spice it up with fun food art, which can become a story moment for kids. It evolves into an incredible opportunity to have wonderful conversations while we relish and appreciate the importance of farming and food.
Food crafted in the shape of animation characters
I want everyone to experience food like never before through my food art. Bond with the food you eat and the loved ones you eat with! Involve the kids in the whole process, from shopping to prepping, cooking, serving and eating.
Q. Any handy tip for our readers to make food appealing and tasty?
Involve your kids. Focus on the process rather than the output. Kids see your love, not perfection.
Q. What are your future plans?
I have been wanting to compile my ideas into a book. 2023 looks like the year for it!