Aarti Sequeira, winner of last year’s The Next Food Network Star, now hosts her own cooking show on the Food Network, Aarti Party. But cooking was not her first career; Sequeira is a Medill graduate (Medill ‘00) and previously worked for CNN. Born in Bombay, India, and raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sequeira now lives in Los Angeles, California. She keeps the blog Aarti Paarti. North by Northwestern chatted with the journalist-turned-cooking show-host about Food Network, that IHOP on Howard, and cooking in the Communications Residential College.
How was it to participate in The Next Food Network Star? What was the competition based on?
It was really grueling. [It was the] hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, emotionally, physically and creatively. Because it was so hard, winning challenges became so sweet. [They were] trying to find the next food star, not only in culinary prowess, but [also in] cooking under pressure, budget and time [constraints].
Describe your show, Aarti Paarti.
It’s on Sundays at noon. It’s kind of an extension of what I’ve been doing for the past year, cooking the way that I like to cook. Using my Indian spices and weaving them into familiar dishes. [Finding a dish] everyone knows inside and out and finding an Indian way of doing it.
When did you start cooking?
I started to cook seven years ago. I didn’t know that much. A lot of people are intimidated by Indian cooking. [I started with] things I saw on the Food Network: burgers, casseroles and stews. It seemed easier. Indian food seems harder. Once I started playing with spices and cooking techniques, I started putting Indian style into it.
Describe your time at Northwestern. Any fond memories?
I loved college for so many reasons. Coming to America was a culmination of the dream my whole family had. [There’s] something about that day when everyone lets their hair down-the campus transforms from this brainy campus to hippie central. I did a lot of radio [she was the news director at WNUR]. When NNN started, that was the coolest. I loved the lake, even in the winter, on the second floor [of Fisk Hall], looking out at the lake covered in ice.
Did you enjoy eating in dining halls?
No. The food was awful. Not awful. I ate. The worst thing about dining halls for someone who loves food is the amount of food, because it’s all there.
What was your favorite restaurant in Evanston?
We would go to Lulu’s. That was our little date spot. We would go into the city a lot. [We went] to IHOP on Howard way too much. Once my boyfriend had a car, [we went to] the Greek place near Dempster, [Cross Rhodes]. Their fries are the bomb.
How did you end up going from journalism to food? Did you intend to cover food as a career, or was it only a hobby?
No, it was just a hobby. I worked at CNN, which was amazing and my dream place to work. [If there’s] one thing at Medill, [it’s that] if you don’t have a fire in your belly, you shouldn’t be doing it. I didn’t, and it was making it hard to do.
Do you have a favorite dish?
It’s hard. It depends on the hour. As soon as I finish breakfast, I think of lunch. As soon as I finish lunch, I think of dinner. It depends on what time of day it is. The biggest treat is a chocolate croissant. I just discovered I have a gluten allergy. I ate a lot of them before, but now I can’t have them. It’s even more delicious now that I can’t have it.
Do you have any tips for cooking on a college student budget?
Yeah, because I did it. Always look for what’s on sale at the supermarket. That’s the thing about watching Food Network. You learn how to cook by watching. Keep it really simple. You really don’t need much meat (use the deck of cards rule). [Eat] lots of frozen vegetables. Beans are really flexible and cheap.
Tips for cooking in a dorm?
I lived in CRC and they have tiny kitchens. One year for Valentine’s Day, I tried making Tandoori chicken for my boyfriend (now husband). It’s really limited. That was the greatest thing about moving off campus.
I’m really excited that people are interested in Indian food, especially college students. How refreshing it is to see something new. College students are the next generation of cooks. I hope they keep watching and keep me on the air.
Aarti Party’s first season ends on Sept. 26, but Sequeira has been renewed for a second season, which will premiere in December on Food Network.