Babaji's Kitchen
We're Babajis Kitchen, Belgrave's South Indian village cooks. Our 'Picnics in the Forest' are inspired by hot summers spent relaxing in Indian ‘hill stations’, escaping the heat and connecting with nature. From Indian influenced baguettes, salads, dips, Indian street food dishes, regional cheeses, olives & craft beer, our hampers are freshly made to order and packed into handcrafted & fair trade colourful Burmese Pali baskets.
Ethical Standpoint
Our team are great cooks, self taught by their mums and grandmothers before them. But how we get that food to YOU is important to us. We believe, that the take away industry has a responsibility to minimise the waste it produces by using compostable packaging (despite its much greater cost to us), sourcing local produce and inviting you to BYO containers. It's been a tough year for us and our staff. Many of our staff, not being permanent residents have not been entitled to Jobkeeper subsidies. For them, it is not only about supporting themselves in Australia but also supporting their families in far worse situations in India & Nepal. We can proudly say we have kept all these staff members employed throughout Covid, without government assistance and with the support of our community. It's true. We serve delicious food. But we hope you can taste the love & compassion that goes into it.
Product Spotlight
SHIMLA Picnic in the forest' Hamper for two. GIFT VOUCHER. $90
Inspired by North India's most famous summer refuge, 'Shimla' surrounded by snow topped peaks ... like the Warburton ranges seen throughout our Dandenong Ranges. INCLUDED IN THE HAMPER PANI PURI DIY (Quite possibly India's most loved street food) Eight pani puri balls, spiced potato, chickpeas, red onion, coriander, crunchy noodles, Babaji's house made date & mint chutneys, tangy cumin & chilli pani water. Fill the balls with your choice of filling, add pani and BOOM! PAPDI CHAAT (INDIAN NACHOS) Spiced potato, chickpeas, red onion, crunchy noodles & coriander. Piled high on Indian papdi crackers. Babajis own chutneys & yoghurt will come separately to keep them fresh (Medium). ONION BHAJIS WITH RAITA Four crispy onion fritters served with raita, cucumber, tomato & pomegranate (Mild). WATERMELON, CUCUMBER & STRAWBERRY SALAD. With scattered pistachios, mint & a touch of spice (Mild). Comes with a handwoven colourful BURMESE HANDWOVEN PALI PICNIC BASKET, made from recycled pallet strapping (these are super strong and will last a long time). A PICNIC MAP to help you plan your picnic, showing our favourite spots, some secret, along with those that are child and dog friendly. Two sets of environmentally friendly cutlery included. Drinks available to purchase separately. Plates & glasses not included. HAMPER GIFT VOUCHERS WILL BE SENT BY EMAIL.
OOTY Picnic in the forest' Hamper for two. GIFT VOUCHER. $95
Inspired by the South Indian town of Ooty. Green lands, thick forests, a steam train meandering through the hills and bluestone churches – Ooty could be the Dandenong Ranges' long lost Indian cousin! INCLUDED IN THE OOTY HAMPER: Two BAGUETTES of your choice (Choices below, spice tailored to you) Two CHEESES - Tarago River Camembert (75gm) & Maffra Peppercorn Cheddar (75gm) KERALAN KACHUMBER SALAD Crunchy fresh cucumber, tomato, carrot, red onion & coriander with cumin, mint & lemon. (Mild) BEETROOT PACHADI DIP Beetroot with tangy yoghurt, coconut, mustard seeds & curry leaves (Mild) ARTISAN CRACKERS Comes with a handwoven colourful BURMESE HANDWOVEN PALI PICNIC BASKET, made from recycled pallet strapping (these are super strong and will last a long time). A PICNIC MAP to help you plan your picnic, showing our favourite spots, some secret, along with those that are child and dog friendly. Choose from the following Baguettes: – CHICKEN TIKKA WITH MANGO CHUTNEY – With roasted marinated chicken with mango chutney, spinach, red onion & mint chutney. – YALLA FALAFEL BAGUETTE – With spinach, red onion. South Indian spiced hummus, mint & yoghurt chutney & pomegranate. – THE ARJI BHAJI – With crispy onion bhajis, spinach, red pepper, mint & yoghurt raita & South Indian spiced hummus – MUMBAI SALAD DAYS – With spinach, cucumber, tomato, red onion, roasted red pepper, coriander, Maffra peppercorn cheddar cheese & mint & coriander chutney – PANEER & FIG BAGUETTE – With Indian paneer (cottage cheese), spinach, red pepper, red onion & fig chutney Two sets of environmentally friendly cutlery included. Drinks available to purchase separately. Plates & glasses not included. HAMPER VOUCHERS WILL BE EMAILED.
MUNNAR Picnic in the forest' Hamper for two. GIFT VOUCHER. $130
The grand 'Munnar' of a feast! Inspired by Kerala's own beautiful hill station; rolling hills shrouded in mist & home to wild elephants, tigers & leopards. INCLUDED: Two BAGUETTES of your choice (see choices below, spice levels catered for) Two CHEESES, Tarago camembert (75gm) & Maffra peppercorn cheddar (75gm) KERALAN KACHUMBER SALAD Crunchy fresh cucumber, tomato, carrot, red onion & coriander with cumin, mint & lemon. (Mild) SOUTH INDIAN COUS COUS (UPMA) SALAD With green beans, carrot, pineapple, cashews, mustard seeds, curry leaves & lime. (Mild) BEETROOT PACHADI DIP Beetroot with tangy yoghurt, coconut, mustard seeds & curry leaves. SPICED HUMMUS Hummus & a touch of South Indian spices. Winner! OLIVES ARTISAN CRACKERS Comes with a large handwoven colourful BURMESE HANDWOVEN PALI PICNIC BASKET, made from recycled pallet strapping (these are super strong and will last a life time). A PICNIC MAP to help you plan your picnic, showing our favourite spots, some secret, along with those that are child and dog friendly. Choose from the following Baguettes: - CHICKEN TIKKA WITH MANGO CHUTNEY - With roasted marinated chicken with mango chutney, spinach, red onion & mint chutney. - YALLA FALAFEL BAGUETTE - With spinach, red onion. South Indian spiced hummus, mint & yoghurt chutney & pomegranate. - THE ARJI BHAJI - With crispy onion bhajis, spinach, red pepper, mint & yoghurt raita & South Indian spiced hummus - MUMBAI SALAD DAYS - With spinach, cucumber, tomato, red onion, roasted red pepper, coriander, Maffra peppercorn cheddar cheese & mint & coriander chutney - PANEER & FIG BAGUETTE - With Indian paneer (cottage cheese), spinach, red pepper, red onion & fig chutney Two sets of environmentally friendly cutlery included. Drinks available to purchase separately. Plates & glasses not included.
GIFT VOUCHER BABAJIS KITCHEN
From picnic hampers, to South Indian thali feasts & street food favourites, a Babajis voucher covers the biggest Babajis fan.