QA Forum

About Kurma Dasa

Known as 'Australia's Vegetarian Guru', I have been writing cookbooks, teaching students around the world and hosting internationally broadcast TV shows for over thirty five years. My books have sold almost one million copies.

I started my cooking career in the Sydney kitchens of the Hare Krishna movement, where I began by cutting vegetables, grinding fresh herbs and spices, and assisting in the preparation of their famous Sunday Feasts. I was head chef at Melbourne's most popular Vegetarian Restaurant, Gopal's for many years.

I am the author of 'Great Vegetarian Dishes'(which is in its seventh print run), 'Cooking With Kurma', 'Quick Vegetarian Dishes', and most recently 'Vegetarian World Food'. All books have received wide acclaim for their professional, clearly written and richly illustrated presentation of vegetarian cuisine.

I have hosted three internationally broadcast television cooking series seen in over 46 countries. My third and latest 26-part TV series "Cooking with Kurma - More Great Vegetarian Dishes" recently screened throughout Australia on SBS and Foxtel.

The National Portrait Gallery of Australia recently featured me in its exhibition "Masters of Fare", celebrating the work and careers of the food industry's pioneers, entrepreneurs and innovators. I was honoured at having become a household name amongst Australian chefs and cookery writers, "championing the unique culinary characteristics and produce of Australia, enriching our lives with new ideas and new flavours." The exhibition honoured my "contribution to culinary expertise in vegetarianism". "Masters of Fare" was on display at Old Parliament House in the National Capital Canberra in 2005.

You can read more about me on my website, Cooking with Kurma.