The sign outside of Rosemary’s Kitchen displays the Bollywood on Bonner event the restaurant hosted last Saturday–Photo by Avery Bryan
REBEKAH BARNES
Staff Reporter | reb033@ latech.edu
The first time Rosemary Thomas tried Indian food she said she was unsure if she even liked it. Now, the co-owner of Rosemary’s Kitchen cooks her own version of the cuisine at home and at her restaurant.
“That’s just what we do with all our food,” she said. “I’m sure it’s not authentic just because I’ve never had any training in Indian cuisine. Just like anything else, we put our own little twist on it.”
Rosemary’s Kitchen typically serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and sells refrigerated, pre-made meals from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Rosemary’s Kitchen hosted its second Bollywood on Bonner dinner event Saturday night, at which guest were invited to relax and try coconut curried chicken meatballs and vegetable samosas served with a cilantro sauce.
Rosemary Thomas, owner and head of cooking at Rosemary’s Kitchen–Photo by Avery Bryan
“That mint cilantro sauce was one of the first things I remember tasting,” Thomas said. “I think the first time I tasted Indian food, it was like my mouth was so surprised because it had never had those flavors before.”
Sara Corley, Thomas’s daughter and co-owner, said she wanted to give guests an opportunity to try a local perspective on Indian cuisine.
“It is a good start because we obviously have to appeal to the masses, so we try to make it user friendly, if you will,” Corley said. “For people who are a little more timid, we try to make it so they aren’t overwhelmed. If they think they don’t like curry there are still other things to try.”
She said their goal for the night was to provide an opportunity for people in Ruston to try something new and to have fun.
“We want it to feel like a relaxed dinner party at your friend’s house as opposed to going to a restaurant,” she said.
Ruston resident Emily Word said the cuisine holds its own next to its authentic inspiration.
“This was really fun,” Word said. “You can’t get Indian food in Ruston, so I really enjoyed having this.”
She said it was nice to have a planned meal brought out course by course, and she will continue attending events.
Ryan Pepper is another Ruston resident who attended the dinner with his family, where they ate on the patio.
“It’s been great. The service has been wonderful and the atmosphere is good,” Pepper said.
Corley said she wants to continue putting on dinner parties and try new themes such as a Thai food night.
“I want people to relax, take their time; they’re not in a rush,” she said. “We’re perfectly fine with them eating, drinking, enjoying and having a good time.”