about us

My name is Seema Dalvi, and my journey to becoming an award-winning chef in Lancashire has been anything but ordinary. Before I ever stepped into a professional kitchen, I spent years in the classroom as a secondary maths teacher—a role I loved for its structure, challenge, and the joy of helping young people grow. But while equations filled my days, it was the aroma of spices, the rhythm of chopping, and the comfort of a simmering pot that filled my heart.

I was born in Mumbai, India, into a family where food wasn’t just nourishment—it was heritage, celebration, and love. My parents and grandparents were natural cooks, and our home was always alive with the scent of fresh coriander, roasted cumin, and slow-cooked curries. I learnt by watching, tasting, and eventually creating, absorbing the traditional techniques and instinctive skills passed down through generations.

Even as life took me into teaching, my passion for cooking never faded. I found myself recreating the flavours of home, experimenting with fresh ingredients, and blending tradition with a modern, contemporary touch. Cooking became my creative outlet, my therapy, and eventually, my calling.

The turning point came when I realised, I wanted to share more than just recipes—I wanted to share authentic Indian cuisine, the kind I grew up with. Not the watered‑down versions often found on high streets, shaped to suit mainstream tastes, but the real, vibrant, soulful dishes that celebrate India’s culinary heritage.

So, I took a leap of faith. I left the classroom behind and stepped fully into the kitchen, becoming a private chef dedicated to showcasing the true flavours of Indian home cooking. Every dish we create in Dalvee kitchen is rooted in tradition, elevated with contemporary flair, and crafted with the same care and passion I learnt as a child in Mumbai.

Today, as an award‑winning chef, I’m proud to bring those flavours to homes and events across Lancashire—sharing not just food, but stories, memories, and the joy of genuine Indian cooking.