Kelowna Chef Named Top 10 Foodie By Western Living Magazine

A Kelowna chef and restaurateur has made it into the pages of Western Living Magazine as one of the top foodies of the year.

Aman Dosanj is a familiar face around Poppadoms Indian Restaurant in Rutland and has been changing the culinary landscape in Kelowna and the Okanagan, and according to her it was accidental. Dosanj says she doesn’t consider herself a chef and is humbled by the response from the community.

Aman Dosanj of Poppadoms Indian Restaurant (Photo Credit: Western Living)

“I received an email to say that I had made it into the top 40 and then it was a surprise and delight to find out that I made the top 10,” said Dosanj. “I immediately bought the magazine online and saw my feature in it. I have never claimed to be a chef; I was thrown into it when other chefs did not work out.”

The Top Foodies of the Year is in its eighth year and this year the list was whittled down from the top 40 influential foodies from around the country. The magazine article also features the family restaurant which is made up of home cooks as Dosanj and her mother run the kitchen.

Aman Dosanj featured on the Western Living website (Photo Credit: Screen Grab)

Poppadoms focuses on using local, Okanagan ingredients to create their dishes and Dosanj is constantly coming up with innovative ideas, that you normally wouldn’t see in traditional Indian dishes. But they are a hit.

“I’ve been in the kitchen for a year and a half and I’ve been really intrigued, the more I learn the more I fall in love with food,” adds Dosanj. “On my days off all I do is cook and learn from the best in the Okanagan. It’s very humbling to have so many Okanagan chefs that want to work with us, mum and I are just two self-taught home cooks.”

Aman Dosanj doing what she does best in the Poppadoms kitchen (Photo Credit: Poppadoms)

Western Living Food and Travel Editor Neal McLennan said the list includes those from around the country who have been doing interesting things in their community over the past year. The article is meant to tell their “compelling story” and highlight the hidden talents right in our own communities.

“I’ve personally been to Poppadoms several times when I’ve been in Kelowna,” explained McLennan. “I think Aman is doing something fantastically interesting. It is a well-known spot for those in the community but I hope this brings more attention to her and the restaurant and visitors will try it out.”

Aman Dosanj collaborating with Salted Brick (Photo Credit: Poppodams)

The March issue of Western Living is available online and on store shelves and if you are interested in trying out Poppadoms and Aman’s inspired creations visit their website here.