Seasoned with love: Acclaimed Indian American food writer Monica Saigal releases ‘A Kiss in Kashmir’

“A Kiss in Kashmir” is the Virginia-based Indian American author’s third novel. 

By Willow Bacon

I’ll never love again.

It’s a sentiment most of us have uttered at one point or another after a loss or heartbreak. But love has an uncanny way of finding its way back to us, a theme author Monica Saigal explores in her latest novel, A Kiss in Kashmir: A Timeless Tale of Love. Set against the rich cultural tapestry of India’s Kashmir Valley, the story was inspired by Saigal’s own travels to the region as a teenager.

“I vividly remember the enchanting beauty of Kashmir and how it seemed to be a magnet for love and celebration,” she recalled. “What struck me most were the newlywed couples, particularly the brides with the wrists adorned with shimmering red bangles. That image has stayed with me and reinforced my belief that Kashmir, with its stunning natural beauty and cultural richness, is a living testament to love.”

A Kiss in Kashmir: A Timeless Tale of Love is on the stands now. Order your copy here.

On the face of it, the story is a sweet romance between Sharmila, a renowned Rajasthani artist, and George, a retired American professor of Indian art history. But at its essence, it’s a novel that explores the depth of love, loss and the many facets of the human heart.

“Both characters have experienced profound loss; both are resigned to a future spent alone,” Saigal explained. “The book is really a tribute to anyone who has ever paused to wonder if the ship of romantic love has sailed without them.” (No spoilers here—but suffice it to say that Sharmila and George’s journey will surprise and inspire.)

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Kashmir is a strong supporting character in the tale, adding layers of vibrant colors, smells and tastes to the narrative. That’s no accident—Saigal is an internationally renowned food writer known for weaving cuisine and culture into her writing. Her culture-driven articles – which have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bon Appetit and Saveur – tend to approach the world food-first.

Saigal’s portfolio also includes 12 books, each infused with her deep knowledge of global cuisine. Her debut novel Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken explores the healing power of food through the lens of a local cooking competition. Meanwhile, her novel Modern Spice brims with contemporary versions of traditional Indian recipes and was named “Best Cookbook Ever” by Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi.

“Growing up, I discovered that food connected me to people in ways that little else did,” said Saigal. “In coaxing recipes from people, I would often get stories of their loves and losses, their secrets and memories. The food was often a symbol of something else, which I dreamed of incorporating into my writing.”

There was only one catch: Saigal’s traditional parents didn’t approve of her career aspirations. They gave her three choices: she could pursue medicine, law, or information technology. She went with the latter and graduated with a master’s degree in IT. But even as she pursued a career in tech, she knew she was a storyteller at heart. “I transitioned to writing full-time in 2003 and never looked back,” she smiled. “I write by day for an amazing technology company and by night for my readers!”

Today, you’ll find Saigal speaking at workshops on writing, food, and culture at esteemed institutions like The Smithsonian, Yale, and the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Her creative process is guided by early-morning meditation sessions, which Saigal says clears her mind and brings more authenticity to her work. Late-night writing sessions also have their place in her routine so she can make time for her sons Jai, 24, and Arjun, 16.

“Recently, I’ve been writing deep into the night,” she admitted. “I find it helps keep me focused on the page instead of worrying about the million other things that need to be done!”

Whatever her process, it’s clearly working — A Kiss in Kashmir is already being greeted with critical acclaim.

“From the first page, you’ll feel like you’re at a banquet for the senses in this touching tale,” says Ramin Ganeshram, author of Saffron: A Global History. And Kirkus Reviews calls the book an “engaging second-chance romance bolstered by appealing characters and well-honed prose.”

At a sold-out reading in Washington DC earlier this month, the response was also overwhelmingly positive.

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“Monica has a true talent for storytelling and brings such a positive narrative to her work,” said Neema Nene of the DC South Asian Literary Festival. “I left with a longing to see the Kashmir Valley and spend some time getting to know the local people. I’m definitely adding Kashmir to my bucket list!”

Renowned Bollywood singer Vatsala Mehra agreed. “It was a beautiful and energetic evening,” she said. “I was delighted to hear Monica share her vibrant stories about love and second chances.”

At the reading, Saigal gently reminded the crowd that love is not bound by the constraints of time or age, but an ever-present possibility. She says that message seems to be lost in today’s youth-driven culture.

“As a single woman in my 50s, it was very disappointing to see that so many love stories out there are only about young people,” she said. “I wrote this book almost as a form of rebellion to inspire those yearning for love. And to affirm that love’s magic is not exclusive to youth but is available to us all, if only we remain open to its call.”

(Willow Bacon is the CEO at Salix Creative based in Oregon.)