Our story
Embrace the essence of India in the heart of Alsace
Between India and Alsace
In a charming small Alsatian village, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, Table Indienne was born from an aspiration to not only cook Indian recipes, but also to master them in their most authentic form.
Our journey began when I found myself trying to recreate the vibrant dishes of India amidst the picturesque landscapes of France.
One of the biggest hurdles I had to overcome was not the techniques of this elaborate cuisine, but the simple acquisition of the myriad spices that are the soul of Indian gastronomy. Nestled a 40-minute drive from any specialized grocery store, my access to basic Indian ingredients like ghee or paneer was almost non-existent. It was then that chance led me to a discovery through my mother-in-law: an organic farm just 10 minutes from our home that provided the raw materials needed to make these essential ingredients. The realization that a local French farm could fuel my passion for Indian cuisine was more than a pleasure, it was a revelation.
But the story of Table Indienne doesn't just come from me, it also comes from my Alsatian family.
The pantry contained few traces of Indian culinary heritage. When my sister-in-law ventured to try her hand at Indian cooking, the idea of buying a whole packet of spices to sprinkle a few discouraged her. Seeing her struggle with excess and waste, an idea came to me. To truly introduce and share the joy of Indian cooking with novices, we had to rethink our approach. That's when Table Indienne found its true essence. We envisioned a way to provide the required amount of spices for a single dish, eliminating waste and simplifying the process. We introduced kits – carefully selected organic spice packs – perfectly portioned to create your favorite Indian dishes without leaving leftovers to dry at the bottom of your spice rack.
Our connection to indian arts
During our 2024 trip to India, we made a discovery, Alsace was a centre for wooden block printing also known as "indienne". This led us to try out this beautiful traditional art which originated in india and captivated the people of alsace in the 18th century. Today you can visit the musee de l'impression sur l'etoffes in mulhouse where Indian fabrics are the star of the museum. The entire of hand block print process, begins with an idea in our (or your) minds, which is then sketched onto paper. A skilled artisan then meticulously carves this design onto a sheesham wood block—a sustainable material. Using natural dyes, they transform plain textiles—like scarves, bedsheets, cushion covers, and more—into vibrant, one-of-a-kind creations. This rhythmic process of blocks dipped in color, making beautiful patterns, is something we fell in love with.
Unfortunately, due to the rise of fast fashion, this art form, which requires manual attention and precision, is losing its value. We're dedicated to protecting this ancient heritage by reviving it through modern designs and products.
In the future, we plan to expand beyond block printing and introduce you to other traditional Indian art forms that are at risk of being forgotten. We're committed to preserving these valuable pieces of Indian heritage and are excited to bring them to our workshops and store.
From our hands to your home
Beyond our easy-to-use spice kits, we're excited to introduce you to the rich, yet often hidden, arts of India — an experience for all ages to enjoy. By sourcing both local and exotic ingredients, we're able to reduce our environmental footprint and support our community. This allows us to bring you the authentic taste of India, perfectly suited to your palate. We have reinvented Indian cuisine and Indian arts to suit your tastes. Indian food = flavour and not spice anymore ! At La Table Indienne, we believe a cultural adventure should be simple and sustainable. That's why we're proud to also support the rural Indian artisans who have preserved these traditions for generations.
