Nirmala’s roots stem from a tribe of master rice growers and Ayurvedic scholars, from Northern India all the way to Guyana, a small english speaking South American nation with strong Caribbean roots. This is where she grew up with her extended family, her great-great-grandparents having emigrated from India in the 18th century as British indentured servants.
At the age of five, she learned to cook with no running water or electricity, as well as to build soils, curate seed, spice libraries, and build berms to create rice paddies. She began her studies of Ayurveda under the tutelage of her grandfather, an Ayurvedic scholar and Hindu pandit (priest). It was a childhood that carried the deep markings of staunch Brahmin background and taught Nirmala the bare basics on how to survive on what you could grow, how to make food your medicine and more flavorful through simple spices. Little did Nirmala know, back then, that she was seeding her own future.
When she was 10, her life changed radically. Her uncle had signed up to serve in the U.S. military in exchange for citizenship. He fought in Vietnam for two tours, became an American citizen, and sponsored Nirmala’s grandmother, who eventually moved the entire family to New York City. This is how she came to grow up in the culinary melting pot of the Queens.
After living a corporate life and traveling the world for some years— witnessing the beauty, empathy, and uniqueness of different foods, cultures, and traditions regardless of our linguistic background, Nirmala wondered if she was passively living the epilogue of her life—so she chose to break that mold.
"Encountering a familiar food in its birthplace is one pleasure of any journey"
In 2003, she began Nirmala's Kitchen, procuring spices from small farm holders and teaching home cooks to build bridges across cultural divides through foods and spices-the soul of every cuisine.
Today, she has become a global lifestyle brand. Her spices are sold wholesale and in grocery stores around the world. Nirmala has traveled the world, visiting more than 185 countries, fostering connections between farmers and indigenous communities, and educating and empowering orphans.
A Global Advocate for mentoring women-owned and diverse businesses and entrepreneurs, Nirmala was the first and youngest Asian woman to sit on the Board of the Specialty Food Association (SFA- Fancy Food Show). She also served as chairwoman for the SFA’s Diversity Council.
She has been invited to speak about global cultures, history, mindfulness, future of foods, sustainable agriculture, Ayurveda and Vastu Shastra for Bard, Harvard University, Smithsonian, Disney, Field Museum, American Museum of Natural History and many other Academic institutions and libraries across the globe.
A sought-after global trends guru for Fortune 500s, Nirmala has used her dynamic approach and multifaceted insights on food, flavor, and fragrance for health-savvy consumers and the beauty and home care industry. Her creations inspire everyday emotions and delight millions of consumers the world over.
Her television show "Nirmala's Spice World" (ZLiving- ZEE Network)- in its 5th Season- is an uplifting daytime lifestyle show, globally syndicated in eight languages.
The hourlong show features celebrity guests, and Nirmala’s unfiltered knowledge, wisdom, and passion to inspire a down-to-earth living through spicing up every day global meals, beauty secrets, and Ayurvedic wellness routines —all without leaving the comforts of home.
Nirmala has been featured in The New York Times, Bon Appetit, O: The Oprah Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Food & Wine and hundreds of other publications. She has appeared on Martha Stewart, WABC, CNBC, The Today Show, GMA, CNN, MSNBC, and The CBS Early Show.
Nirmala is the author of several travel memoir cookbooks with in-depth historic and cultural culinary influences on over 65 countries, fun anecdotes of her Global Escapades and menu style recipes for home-cooks and busy moms to enjoy in the comforts of home.
Her latest novel Ellishiva Cinnamon, is the exciting action packed first volume in a lush historical-climate-change fiction "Cli-Fi" series about environmental stewardship, featuring diverse characters, a strong and empowered young heroine and providing readers with a unique escape into New York City back during the time when it was still an untamed jungle- where Mother Nature and extinct animals can speak like you and I.
MISSION
Enchanted by ancestral science, stories and spices.
Nirmala Narine Global Living is a modern lifestyle brand with cultural roots in food, travel, wellness, and beauty.
PRESS CONTACT
"The Mistress of Spices ..."
-Martha Stewart
" The Indiana Jones of Spices..."
-Eric Ripert, Le Bernardin
"How cool is she! Globe-trotting diva-is our new favorite Spice Girl ..." -Rachael Ray
“2007 Woman Entrepreneur of Year” -Country Living Magazine
"The Spice Rack that has everything..."
“Entrepreneur of year—
Gourmet’s 20 under 40”
-GOURMET NEWS
