From Masala to Miso: the Many Worlds of Curry

With more than 20 years of dedicated study and immersion in Japanese food culture, Tim brings a unique depth of knowledge, authenticity and voice to his work. Originally from Wisconsin, Tim first studied Japanese food history at university in Los Angeles: university in Los Angeles, USA before moving to Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, where he deepened his understanding of the cuisine and culture. Tim is the author of ten cookbooks, including Ramen Forever and Hokkaido, with his next book, Japan Easy Kitchen, due for release in April.

Ping Coombes is a two-time MasterChef champion, first winning the competition in 2014 with dishes inspired by her Malaysian heritage, and then returning to claim the title again in 2022 as the first-ever MasterChef Champion of Champions. Born and raised in the food-rich city of Ipoh, Malaysia, Ping was inspired from an early age by her mother’s cooking. Now based in the UK and travelling internationally, she draws on her heritage to create dishes that celebrate Malaysian flavours, reimagined with a modern twist and local ingredients. Her debut cookbook MALAYSIA became an Amazon bestseller, and her highly anticipated second book, RICE, was released in February this year. (photo credit Sam Folan).

Raised in Mumbai, her recipes are deeply rooted in tradition, shaped by generations of family cooking and the diverse culinary landscapes of India. Her recipes celebrate bold flavours, accessible techniques, and the rich regional diversity of Indian cuisine. Maunika is dedicated to sharing recipes from communities across India, many of which have been passed down through her own family, while offering a fresh perspective that resonates with both new and experienced cooks. Her latest cookbook, Curry, was released in October 2025, and was featured in the New York Times best cookbooks of 2025 list.

Born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, his cooking is influenced by the island’s diverse culinary traditions. His pop-up at Old Spitalfields Market began in 2018, aiming to introduce Caribbean home-style cooking to a wider audience. The move to a permanent site at Gabriel’s Wharf established LIMIN as a regular destination for Caribbean food. His work has received industry recognition, including ‘Best Caribbean Restaurant in the UK’ at the 2024 UK Caribbean Food and Drink Awards and ‘People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year’ at the 2025 BIH Spotlight Awards.