Moms are special and absolute sweethearts! As you probably already know, Madhu Bindra @ Mads’ Cookhouse is my dear mother. She recently turned 75 on November 3rd. To celebrate this important milestone, I invited her to my blog. We got talking about something we both love – food and books! Read on to know more about the amazing lady I call mom.
Ritu: Welcome to Bohemian Bibliophile, mom! Please tell us more about yourself.
Madhu: I am a young lady of 75 who loves to cook, feed, and eat. I am an interior designer, a fauji brat, and a fauji wife. I am a blogger and the author of three cookbooks. I won the Best Debut Blog of 2021 at the FBAI (Food Bloggers Association of India). I also have a YouTube and a Podcast channel that is ranked among the top 10 home cooking podcasts worldwide.
Ritu: How did you come up with the idea of Mads’ Cookhouse?
Madhu: Cooking is often less complicated than it is made out to be. I wanted to share recipes that are easy to cook. I started with a blog and then to YouTube and a podcast.
Ritu: The name Mads’ Cookhouse is quite catchy. Please share the story behind it.
Madhu: My elder sisters call me Mads. My younger brother calls me Madhouse. I just moved a few words here and there and came up with Mads’ Cookhouse.
Ritu: Please share with us some of your food memories.
Madhu: My mother was a brilliant cook and I get my cooking genes from her. I still remember her cakes and cookies. She used to make the most delicious mutton chops, kettle chicken (a chicken roast), and chicken achaar.
As a fauji wife, I have traveled the length and breadth of India. I have picked up recipes and invented a few of my own. When you have foodie brats at home, experiments are a way of life.
Ritu: Ha ha. That is true. What are your favorite dishes?
Madhu: There are a lot of them. My mother’s kettle chicken, chicken achaar. I also love palak wala meat and aloo baris. Give me baris in any form.
Ritu: You turned 75 this year and are an inspiration to many. How do you do it?
Madhu: I believe you should always be young at heart. Age is just a number. And when you are counted among the younger cousins in the family, you are never really “old”. At this age, I am still called beta by my older 80+ and 90+ cousins.
You should never think you are too old to do something. Just go for it.
Talking Mads' Cookhouse, Books, & More with Mom on her 75th Birthday @MadsCookhouse @CindyAnnDSilva @nooranand #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Share on X
Ritu: I know the feeling. Now to our next favorite topic, books. Please tell us the books you grew up reading.
Madhu: That was ages ago, almost seventy years. I come from a family of book lovers. My parents had a bookshelf in every room with books on practically all topics. For us, there were Enid Blytons, Malory Towers, Famous Five, and tons of comics. Then came Barbara Cartlands and Mills and Boons, historicals, and those special Readers’ Digest collections.
Ritu: We are book gobblers! What are your favorite books? What genre do you enjoy reading?
Madhu: I pick up whatever I lay my hands on. Ludlum, Jeffrey Archer, Arthur Hailey, thrillers, espionage, romances. There is no particular genre. My favorites are Avalance Express, Chariots of the Gods, and Tinker Tailor, Soldier Spy.
I always read two books simultaneously. One heavy read and one a Mills and Boons. When it gets too heavy, I switch to the light reads.
Ritu: That is where I get that habit from. What would be your advice to parents who want to encourage a habit of reading in their children?
Madhu: My main advice is not to force your child to read. This would turn them against books. Set an example. If they see you reading, they will automatically pick up books. That is how my kids picked up the habit of reading.
Ritu: That is a piece of great advice, mom! I remember everyone reading, and I too just followed suit. What are your thoughts on ebooks and audiobooks?
Madhu: Ebooks are great for oldies like us who find it a problem to read small prints. I haven’t tried audiobooks much but I really like what little I have heard. Books are books, doesn’t matter what form you read.
Ritu: Absolutely. What advice would you give to someone who wants to pick up the habit of reading?
Madhu: Read what you want to read and not what you should be reading. That is the main reason people give up reading. You should enjoy it. And most importantly, find a place and time where no one would disturb you.
I hope you enjoyed this little tete-a-tete with my mother. Please join me in celebrating her diamond jubilee year.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
November 17, 2022 @ 3:05 pm
I love the first line. Young lady of 75! Birthday wishes to your mom!
November 21, 2022 @ 11:41 am
Thank you so much, Cindy. 😊 Mom sends her love. She lives by it, always ready to try out new things.
November 18, 2022 @ 3:16 am
Favorite quote from your conversation with Mom -“You should never think you are too old to do something. Just go for it.”
Chariots of the Gods, and Tinker Tailor, Soldier Spy are one of my favorite as well.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:42 am
Thank you so much, Sakshi 😊. Mom sends her love. I love her choice of books.
November 18, 2022 @ 9:49 am
This is such a heartwarming read. Having your mom to speak from her heart and share this amazing thoughts only shows your bond as mother and child. Happiest birthday to your mom! I hope she get to share more food blogs!!!
November 21, 2022 @ 11:43 am
Thank you so much Jeannine 😊. Mom sends her love. She is a sweetheart.
November 18, 2022 @ 1:24 pm
Such a beautiful read! A very Happy 75th birthday to your mom! Moms truly are angels on earth!
November 21, 2022 @ 11:44 am
Absolutely Mandira. Thank you so much. 😊 Mom sends her love.
November 18, 2022 @ 7:24 pm
Such a beautiful gift by daughter to her mother “an Interview”
I am surprised to know that you are mother and daughter duo. And really greatful to learn from Madhu mam.
A very happy birthday Madhu mam!
You are really an inspiration to all us.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:46 am
She is indeed an inspiration. Thank you so much Neeta 😊. Mom sends her love.
November 19, 2022 @ 5:50 pm
Wow Ritu, what a nice way to ring in her 75th… but I didn’t know that Madhu Ma’am’s your mum.. I was pleasantly surprised.
Loved your little interview with her. I noticed that she n I share some fav authors n books😊
November 21, 2022 @ 11:47 am
Great minds think alike, Kaveri 😊. Thank you so much. Mom sends her love.
November 19, 2022 @ 8:25 pm
Madhu aunty is my favorite blogger too, just like many. And i love her recipes. Even if I don’t comment I read all of her posts ever since I came across her. I absolutely loved that you did an interview with her.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:48 am
Thank you so much Monidipa for your kind words and always supporting her. 😊 Mom sends her love.
November 19, 2022 @ 9:35 pm
I didn’t know you were mom & daughter! Such a dynamic duo you guys are. Happy birthday to your mom! Love both of your blogs and you make everything so simple with your writings. All the best to you guys. Continue doing what you both love. God bless!
November 21, 2022 @ 11:50 am
Thank you so much for the wishes and the kind words Vasumathi. Mom sends her love too. 😊
November 20, 2022 @ 9:37 am
I will say that I read one of the most beautiful interview in my life. Madhu aunty you are just super inspirational and Ritua you are a brilliant intervieewer, and daughter. I loved reading this interview and I can say aunty yes I am inspired by you.
November 21, 2022 @ 8:56 am
I love madhu aunty ‘s all the recipes and tried many myself. She makes things so easy for you. What a birthday gift? you
have done complete justice to her book by writing such a brilliant review. Hatts of to you both.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:52 am
Thank you so much Swati for your love and support. 😊 Mom sends her love.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:51 am
Awww Samata. Thank you so much for your kind words 😊. Mom sends her love too.
November 20, 2022 @ 11:15 am
So true: “You should never think you are too old to do something. Just go for it.”
Love reading this interview; Madhu aunty is just a super inspirational lady.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:56 am
Absolutely Anjali. She lives by these words. Thank you so much. Mom sends her love. 😊
November 20, 2022 @ 12:48 pm
This is such a heartfelt and encouraging interview. I love your recipes and it is so encouraging to read about your achievements. You are so humble and that is what keeps you apart.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:57 am
Thank you so much Shail for your love and kind words. Mom sends her love. 😊
November 20, 2022 @ 3:19 pm
Im interested in the feeling you experienced with ur mom during the blog session. Knowing that you are following her footsteps what you feel.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:58 am
Some day I do plan to share that Flavia. Mom sends her love 😊
November 20, 2022 @ 3:21 pm
Celebrating your mother’s birthday by showcasing her skill and strength is a lovely way of showing your respect and love to her.
November 21, 2022 @ 11:58 am
Absolutely Anuradha. Thank you so much. Mom sends her love. 😊
November 20, 2022 @ 4:32 pm
This young lady is such an inspiration for me. I was thinking of giving up when Madhuji burst on the scene. It gave me a chance to think twice and not quit. Happy Birthday although belated and loads of good wishes to her.
November 21, 2022 @ 12:02 pm
Thank you so much Harjeet. 😊 Apart from mom, you are one inspirational lady I look up to 🤗. Thank you so much for your love and wishes. Mom sends her love.
November 20, 2022 @ 4:44 pm
This post was both inspirational and motivating. I felt such a positive vibe reading this post and Madhuji I just wish to say 75 is just a number your positive vibes and energy is infectious.
November 21, 2022 @ 12:03 pm
Absolutely Manisha. She lights up the room. Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes. Mom sends her love. 😊
November 20, 2022 @ 5:49 pm
Thank you so much kid for the lovely birthday gift. It sure made my day. Love you 🤗
November 21, 2022 @ 12:05 pm
Love you too, momma. 🤗 Thank you so much for being my mom and making me what I am today…. literally and figuratively.🤗💞
November 20, 2022 @ 7:52 pm
My heartiest Birthday wishes to Madhu maam. I have been a fan of her recipes since I had started going through her blog. She is such an inspiration.
November 21, 2022 @ 12:09 pm
Absolutely Jhilmil 😊. Thank you do much. Mom sends her love.
November 20, 2022 @ 9:28 pm
Belated birthday wishes, Madhu ji, my fellow Scorpio! This has to the be the cutest blog post! Much love to the both of you
November 21, 2022 @ 12:07 pm
Thank you so much Nikita. 😊 That makes three of us Scorpios. Mom sends her love.
January 23, 2023 @ 11:32 pm
Congratulations on the milestone birthday and here’s to many more! Thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and honest interview!
April 4, 2023 @ 12:08 pm
That’s an awesome tribute to your mom, plus the fac that she joined the millennials in blogging.