Hi, I’m Babita. I am a plant-based chef, fine art photographer, and graphic designer originally from Nepal, now living in the breathtaking landscapes of Oregon. I design cookbooks to help make everyday cooking simple. My philosophy in the kitchen is to cook food that nourishes my body and heals me every day. Drawing from the holistic traditions of my Himalayan upbringing in Nepal and a love for bold, global flavors, I create plant-based recipes designed for real life. Through my award-winning books, Plant-Based Himalaya: Vegan Recipes From Nepal and Garden Exotica: International Plant-Based Fusion Cuisine, my goal is to give you the confidence to cook intuitively, celebrate fresh seasonal produce, and bring joy to the process of preparing a meal.
A Gourmand World Cookbook Awards Finalist for Best “Farm to Table, Vegan, and Nature Books,” Garden Exotica invites you on a global culinary journey through 60 of my favorite plant-based fusion recipes, including Momo, Samosa Chaat, Pita bread, Tamarind Sauce, Spicy tofu seaweed wraps, Okra fries, Jackfruit empanada, Timur Fries and more. Pairing creative, flavor-packed dishes with stunning food photography, this book celebrates the rich diversity of world cuisine through simple, approachable steps designed to bring extraordinary international flavors straight to your home kitchen. Order your copy today!
Plant-based Himalaya
Winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook Award (Special Award of the Jury), Plant-Based Himalaya invites you into my kitchen to share 38 of my favorite everyday recipes that bring rich, authentic Nepali flavors straight to your home. Inside, you will learn how to make comforting dal, fresh saag, one-pot vegetable rice, warm flatbreads, mouth-watering curries, Nepali snacks, and wholesome sweets like carrot pudding. Illustrated with over 250 gorgeous photographs, every step is designed to be simple enough that even a child can cook along and create nourishing meals to share with loved ones. Order your copy today!
Services
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Recipe & Menu Development
A menu is the culinary identity of your brand. My work is to translate your vision into a collection of dishes that not only delights the senses but becomes an unforgettable signature, forging a lasting connection with your customers.
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Food Photography & Styling
Your food is a work of art. I specialize in food photography and expert editing services that transform your dishes into a visual feast. I meticulously style each plate to highlight the vibrant colors, textures, and freshness of your creations, ensuring every photo tells a compelling story.
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Cooking Classes & Workshops
Join my online and in person cooking classes, where I'll guide you creating delicious, unforgettable meals. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced cook ready to explore new cuisines, my classes offer a fun, interactive way to sharpen your skills.
Upcoming events
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Dill Aaloo Paratha Cooking Class by Babita Shrestha
Join us for Vegan Nepal: A Plant-Based Journey, a hands-on cooking class led by culinary artist and author Babita Shrestha. Blending her Nepali heritage, global experiences, and fine arts background, Babita brings a creative approach to plant-based cuisine. Discover how fresh ingredients and mindful cooking can nourish both body and soul as she shares stories and flavors from her Himalayan roots.
Babita will guide us through preparing the Dill Aaloo Paratha from her new cookbook, Garden Exotica: International Plant-Based Fusion Cuisine, for an immersive hands-on experience. She will also demonstrate making her favorite homemade tomato sauce that perfectly complements the parathas. This versatile dish is perfect for holiday entertaining, easy snacking, or simplifying your everyday cooking by packing global flavor into one delicious bite.
Come learn and enjoy with us at the Food Connection Kitchen!
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
3:00 PM
The Food Connection Kitchen | 400 Hilltop Dr., Lexington, KY
Past events
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Garden Exotica Book Release and Photography Exhibition at Joseph Beth
Join author of "Plant-Based Himalaya", Babita Shrestha, to celebrate her highly anticipated second cookbook "Garden Exotica: International Plant-Based Fusion Cuisine".
Monday, November 10, 2025
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Joseph Beth, 161 Lexington Green Cir # B, Lexington, KY 40503
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The Art of Nourishment: Cooking Demonstration and Book Signing
Join local culinary artist Babita Shrestha, creator of "Plant-Based Himalaya" and her newest cookbook, "Garden Exotica: International Plant-based Fusion Cuisine," for an immersive cooking class demonstration.
Sunday, November 23, 2025
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Good Foods Co-Op , 455 Southland DriveLexington, KY, 40503
