This home cook's mother's recipes inspire her passion for cooking

Sumathi and her mother Sampurnam have a close bond bolstered by a shared love of cooking. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star

In her beautiful, sparkling kitchen, Sumathi Sangaran, 39, bustles about with purpose, adding the finishing touches to dishes that form the foundation of her halcyon childhood days.

In the background, her mother Sampurnam Govindan, 65, watches in satisfaction, murmuring assent. Sampurnam is a quiet, contemplative lady whose face lights up when she sees the pleasure on people’s faces as they eat the food she and Sumathi have formed such a strong bond over.