Our Story

From our family kitchen, to yours.

Whenever we three sisters discussed Indian food, there was always a fourth person so fondly mentioned: our mother. She took great interest in cooking for friends and family. Even the simplest home-cooked dishes had some small detail that would turn it into a special meal.

Our childhood was spent in the rich valley of Kashmir. The panoramic Himaylayan scenery followed us in all directions. The freshness of the atmosphere only served to enhance our mealtimes. We would play all day, building up a great hunger for a delicious spread that would be ceremonial in procedure. The extended family were poised at every meal, cross-legged on the floor, eagerly waiting for our thali (large steel plate) to be complete before we could begin. This sense of community, togetherness, and a ritualism surrounding food had an immense affect on our upbringing, and future practises with loved ones.

Leaving Kashmir in the 1970s, our family migrated to the UK in the hope of pursuing a better life and access to greater opportunities. Growing up in Derbyshire, we would watch our mother prepare and continue to use fresh spices from India. Our picnics would consist of packing the boot of Dad’s 1970 Ford Cortina with a complete Indian spread! These experiences, and recipes, became ingrained in our minds. Once time passed, and we entertained our own friends and family, there was a strong interest from them to learn the secret to cooking these dishes.

The curiosity of close ones inspired the beginning of The Three Sisters. We yearned to share our passion and joy for Indian cookery - to educate others on the ease, and benefits, of cooking from scratch!

“Curry out the back of Dad’s Ford Cortina”

For most, the hesitancy in cooking Indian food comes from uncertainty in the blending and use of spices. Our secret tool for this is….the masala dabba.

For us, the masala dabba is our main source of confidence and creativity in the kitchen!

The masala dabba, meaning spice box, is a staple item in the majority of Indian households. This rounded, typically stainless steel container holds all the essential spices used for everyday cooking. The assortment of spices in a dabba varies regionally across India; however, there are a few key combinations that can be found in most popular dishes. It was this thought process that led to the creation of our very own Spice Box, and to identifying the essential spices for an array of Indian recipes.

We spent time back home, re-discovering the flavours that encompass some of our favourite dishes. We savoured the comfort of home-cooked meals with old family-members; indulged in reminiscent street-food, and were inspired by local chefs and restaurants. This all led to the careful selection of 13 whole and ground spices to go in our tins!

“Our combination of spices displays the true hybridity of modern Indian cookery, embracing the variety of regional spices, and styles of cooking.”

Sereena Walker - Company Founder

It only felt right to collect over 100 family recipes to go with our masala dabbas. Our creation is a one-stop shop for all your Indian cookery needs. Every dish in the book only needs the 13 spices in your spice box, and then a few fresh and standard cupboard ingredients!

Over the years we’ve enjoyed selling these Indian Cookery Sets at various exhibitions across the UK (BBC Good Food, Grand Designs, Spirit of Christmas), and engaging with our amazing customers. In 2011 we were approached by Simon & Schuster, and published our two best-selling Indian Cookbooks. Alongside small TV appearances, including a segment on ‘This Morning’, and a produced TV Pilot with Sky, we’ve also loved teaching and running Cookery Courses in London and surrounding areas.

Today we still stand as a small family-run business, with a strong team of women. With The Three Sisters now living on three separate continents (UK, North America, and India), the company continues to bridge us, and spread our love for home cooking.

We look forward to launching a new range of Spice Blends, and an updated recipe ebook later this year. We hope you follow along on our journey, and begin your own journey into Indian cooking.

Thank you for your support, and as always:

‘khav, piyo aur mouj jarlow!’

Eat, drink and have a happy meal!