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A Unique and Authentic Cultural Dining Experience

In 1992, Perveen Khan founded the Rajput Restaurant on the principles and traditions of real home-style Indian cooking. Her aim was to provide an Indian home-cuisine experience in a restaurant setting. This is what set The Rajput apart from other Indian Restaurants. It has made The Rajput a local phenomenon.

The Rajput is now regarded as one of the best places to eat Indian food, throughout Yorkshire and across the whole of the country.

So much so that celebrity chef and food critic Clarissa Dickson Wright lovingly mentioned The Rajput and Perveen Khan in her 2007 autobiography.

Perveen Khan

Perveen Khan was first introduced to the art of Indian cuisine by her mother. Her mother was born and grew up in Bombay. She would cook using recipes passed down to her from generations before and she continued this tradition.

Although Perveen spent her childhood watching her mother meticulously prepare and bring together ingredients, she rarely ventured beyond helping in the preparation. It also became evident at this time that she was the only of her sisters who had inherited a natural flair for cooking... something Asians refer to as "her mother's touch in cooking".

Her first independent experiences in the art of cooking came after she moved to England, when she married her husband. It was at this time, that through a series of letters with her mother she began building on what she had learnt while watching her mother cook.

Initially she cooked solely for her family. As she developed a network of friends in the areas she lived, friends and neighbours were also given the opportunity to appreciate her talents.

In 1988, Perveen Khan was offered the opportunity to teach Indian Cookery at Wetherby College. Soon her classes were in great demand.

When Harrogate College of Arts and Technology learned of her success at Wetherby College, they invited her to teach at Harrogate as well. Perveen recalls how her students would comment on how her cooking was so different and so tasty. It wasn't anything like the usual dishes that were served up at other Indian restaurants. Each dish was set apart as it had its own aroma, texture and flavour.

It was the encouragement of her students who inspired her to open the Rajput Restaurant in 1992. They urged her to offer the rest of the community an opportunity to sample the true essence of Indian cuisine. To this day, some of her students are her loyal customers.

Although semi retired, Perveen is always seeking authentic recipes that are with the older generation. Her menu is constantly evolving so these dishes can be experienced by her customers.