Chingari Restaurant - Nairne: Lisa enjoys a meal in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia

Nairne is one of the prettier towns in the Adelaide Hills. One - which the Nairne Tourist Bureau of 1908 - once described as a quaint, English looking, sweet smelling little village. It's impressive Albert Mill harks back to its flour milling days and many will remember Nairne's claim as "Fritz Central".

But now it's developing a reputation for something a little more mouth watering. Nairne is definitely changing thanks to two brothers - Anil and Kamal Verma.

They run Chingari Restaurant, the brainchild of executive chef, Kamal Verma. His culinary pedigree is impressive having opened the Sheraton Hotel in New Delhi and the Hilton in Dubai. Now he's in Nairne and the locals can't believe their luck.

"We like to promote this type of cuisine which is disappearing because it is so labour intensive," said Kamal. "It's from the British Raj time and this type of cuisine is done authentically in very few places."

Fifty years of combined culinary skill means the brothers measure by "feel". If it feels right put a bit more in. The vivid red, orange and green spices are thrown about with skilled abandon. And there's another vital ingredient that Kamal adds to all his dishes - passion.

"My favourite saying is a chicken is a chicken, a lamb is a lamb. It's the way you cook it.... If you have a passion you are going to use the fresh ginger, you are going to use the fresh garlic."

Chingari's patrons invariably ask how the two brothers came to call the hills home? Well for that, they can thank Geraldine Verma, Kamal's Irish born wife. The countryside around Nairne reminded her of County Laois back home.

If you make it up to Chingari at Nairne be sure to ask about the Curry Club. It's Kamal's way of bringing India to all of us through cooking demonstrations and dinner combos.

The Curry Club is a regular feature of Chingari restaurant in the Main Street of Nairne. To book contact (08) 8388 0880. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Chingari Restaurant
Main Street
Nairne
Bookings: 8388 0880

Published 17th June 2007