Chef Manika Sikand

Chef At Home in Guildford

Hi my name is Manika and I am passionate about sharing with you internationally inspired, handcrafted artisan food of many different types. These include British, French, Italian, Spanish, Middle Eastern and Thai to name a few. I also serve up the traditional Indian food my mother lovingly gave me – always prepared from scratch with the fresh spices, vegetables, fish, meat and chicken she bought at the local Indian corner shop. My career is driven by the same passion and pride that I saw in her.

It's so very important to me that I fulfil the culinary desires of my clients. They are people who relish fresh, authentic dishes. If you do too then I look forward to hearing from you. It will be my pleasure to use my passion, knowledge and experience to serve you.

You'll taste the difference in whatever I cook for you - whether as your private chef at home, event catering in a venue or anything else.

For me, cooking is...

An absolute passion & joy. Life is too short to eat bad food . It is a way of expressing emotions, showing care and bestowing hospitality on others.

I learned to cook at...

home with my mother and refined and experimented with over decades spoiling family, friends and clients.

A cooking secret...

When creating original recipes be prepared to throw food away til perfected. Remember that aroma is 80% of taste and people taste with their eyes too.

My menus

Indian Style Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Onion Bhajis, Potato Samosas, Masala Cheese Poppadoms (Layered With Cheese, Chutneys And Spi.ces), Indian Salad With Mint And Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney And Mixed Pickles

Chaat Masala Spiced Vegetables & Fruit: Lemon Drenched Chickpeas,, Cauliflower, Potatoes & Fruit. Served With Ginger, Red Onion, Tomatoes, Pomegranate Seeds, Crunchy Sev, Yoghurt, Tamarind Chutney, Green Chutney & Fresh Coriander

Indian Style Lamb Cous Cous Salad

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Punjabi Bhuna Style Chicken Curry

Butter Chicken

Kadhai Pakora (Deep fried dumplings in a spiced yoghurt curry)

Sweet potato curry

Saag (Curried Spinach)

Daal Makhani

Aubergine & Tomato Curry

Slow Cooked Aromatic Lamb Curry Made With Spices And Aromatic Whole Spices (Cardomon, Cinamon And Cloves)

Tharavu Duck Roast - Roasted In Spices And Ghee And Smothered In An Onion Masala

Prawns In A Tomato Tamarind Sauce

Aromatic rice flavoured with cumin seeds, cardomon and cinnamon,

Spicy Cheese Filled Kachori Breads

Street Chips With Melted Mozarella, Tamarind Chutney, Mango Chutney, Crispy Onions And Crunchy Sev

Indian salad

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple Crumble With Star Anise Drizzled With Pomegranate Syrup

Gulab Jaman (Indian sweet dumplings) Sprinkled with Rose Petals

Strawberries and Meringue

Chocolate Cardamom Mousse Cake With Honeycomb

Christmas Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Zuppa Lombarda (Tuscan Bread And Bean Soup Flavoured With Garlic And Sage)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Scallops poached in Vermouth then baked in the shell in a creamy mushroom sauce with a breadcrumb crust

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Roman Aromatic Braised Lamb With White Wine, Artichokes, Lemon, Cloves, Carrots, Dill And Chicken Stock

Indulgent mashed potatoes enriched with apples, cream, lemon and nutmeg

Creamy celeriac gratin with gruyere

Caramelised carrots with gremolata

Baked Parmesan Corgettes

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tiramisu

French Style Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Leek And Potato Souffle Made With Gruyere And Served With A Rich Comte Sauce And Onion Chutney, served with a tender green salad flavoured with olive oil and lemon

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef fillet steak with salsa verde

Duck Breasts With Orange Sauce

Lamb Shanks Braised In Red Wine, Carrots, Onion, Tomatoes, Garlic, Stock, Redcurrant Jelly, Rosemary And Anchovy

Cotes De Porc Chacutiere (Roasted Pork Chops In Mustard And Gherkin Sauce)

Noisettes Of Lamb With Apricot And Caper Jam

SIDES included: Creamy Celeriac Gratin With Gruyere, Garlic roast potatoes, Petis Pois A La Francais, honeyed carrots

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Peaches Poached In Marsala Wine With Cream

Chocolate torte with rum flavouring and seasonal berries

Indian Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Tandoori Fish with Green Beans in a pomegranate sauce

Aubergine Bharta with Savoury biscuits and Indian salad (V/Vg)

Aloo Chat with tamarind and mint chutney topped with rose rogurt (V/Vg)

Onion bhajis, Poppodoms and Indian salad with mint and coriander Chutney, mango chutney and mixed pickles (V/Vg)

Indo-Chinese Paneer with lettuce and pomegranate salad (V)

Tandoori chicken with Indian coleslaw

Dahi Bhalla (Lentil Fritters) Topped With Yoghurt, Tamarind, Spices, Red Onion & Fresh Coriander And Topped With Kaffir Lime Leaf Oil (Ve)

Cauliflower & Cumin Fritter And Onion Bhaji Stack With Mint & Coriander Chutney And Lettuce And Carrot Salad With Pomegranate

Potato Samosas On A Lake Of Chickpeas. Served With Indian Salad Drizzled With Lime Yoghurt And Tamarind Chutney

Gobi Musallam (Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Creamy Makhani Sauce) Served With Tomatoes Flavoured With Chilli, Garlic And Ginger And Garnished With Crispy Onions

Panch Phoron Potatoes (Flavoured With 5 Whole Indian Spices) Served With Indian Style Mushy Peas, Carrots In Spices And Lime Topped With A Sprinkling Of Spices And Tomato Chutney

Masala cheese poppadoms (Crunchy poppodom layered with cheese, chutneys and spices)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Tikka with Green Chutney and Onion Salad

Chickpea Dumplings In An Aromatic Sauce With A Side Of Turmeric Mushroom Pickle And Honeyed Sweet Potato

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lamb curry flavoured with tamarind and coconut (A dry curry), saag paneer, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread, cucumber raita

Slow Cooked Aromatic Lamb Curry, Punjabi Bhuna style Chicken Curry, cumin potatoes, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread, cucumber raita

Chicken Tikka Masala, saag, cumin potatoes, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread, cucumber raita

Punjabi Bhuna style Chicken Curry, Chickpea curry, aloo ghobi subzi, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread, cucumber raita

Butter chicken, aubergine & tomato Curry , Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread, cucumber raita

Meen Moilee (Lightly spiced Keralan fish coconut curry), baby Carrots roasted in spices and honey, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread, cucumber raita

Sea bass with cumin and garlic yoghurt with aubergine and tomato subzi, green chutney and onion salad, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), cucumber raita

Allo Gobi subzi, Kadhai Pakora (Deep fried dumplings in a spiced yoghurt curry), paneer makhani, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread (V)

Tandoori Lamb fillets, creamy mushroom curry, Saag topped with panch phoron potatoes, Rice ( Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), and Indian salad, cucumber raita

Gobi Musallam (Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Creamy Makhani Sauce) With Sweet Potatoes, Fried Broccoli Flavoured With Garlic, Cumin & Lime, And Green Chutney And Onion Salad (Ve)

Daal Makhani garnished with deggi mirch and coconut cream, aubergine & tomato Curry, sweet potato subzi, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread (Vg)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Gulab Jaman (Indian sweet dumplings) Sprinkled with Rose Petals

Strawberries and Meringue

Vanilla Cheesecake with Berries

Plum Fool with Shortbread Biscuits Sprinkled with Rose Petals

Malai Mango (Hyderabad creamy exotic dessert made with mangoes, orange juice, cream, rose water and pistachios)

Carrot Halwa Cheesecake

Hen party

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mozarella, spinach and Caramelised shallot and carrot salad with flavourings of honey, orange, coriander, cumin and chilli. Served with a walnut, olive, harissa and fresh coriander salsa

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

CHOOSE ONE: Salmon Steaks roasted with a hint of tarragon served with Avocado and Creme Fraiche Sauce , Zesty garlic chicken with a herb dressing, Chicken with Sherry Vinegar and tarragon sauce

Roasted courgettes, aubergines and tomatoes with feta and pine nuts

Caramelised honeyed carrots

Garlicky roast potatoes with oregano

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pimms Jellies with seasonal fruit and orange cream

Pan Asian Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Chinese Pork Belly with pickled radishes and cucumber

Chicken satay Shots, Pak Choi flavoured with oyster sauce, sesame and lime dipping sauce

Grilled Beef Salad with Grapes

Laab Ped (Thai Duck Salad)

Onion bhajis, Indian salad and tamarind chutney (V/Vg)

Beef fillet salad with Asian dressing

Thai style prawn and mango salad

Soba noodle salad with avocados, green leaves, sweetcorn, carrots, spring onions & coriander with miso dressing (Ve)

Indian sharing platter: Onion bhaji, tandoori chicken, potato samosas, served with chutneys and salsa

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Asian Marinated Pork Belly, Green Peppercorn Glaze and Miso Slaw

Hoisin salmon with coriander, rice noodles and sea vegetables

Oriental seabream, green beans in a pomegranate sauce, Asian Honey Garlic Potatoes

Aubergine & tomato curry, Indian Panch Phoron Potatoes and aromatic rice (V/Vg)

Thai Vegetable curry, coconut rice, and smacked cucumbers, tahini, and chilli flakes. (V/Vg)

Duck with Tamarind Sauce, Thai Green Papaya salad, Asian Honey Garlic Potatoes

Oriental pork casserole with stir fried Green Vegetables and lemon rice

Spiced chicken legs with roasted onion, Oriental green vegetable stir fry and jewelled rice (flavoured with pomegranate, coriander, pistachios, orange & herbs)

Malaysian red cooked chicken. (lemongrass, coconut milk, ginger, garlic and tomatoes), purple sprouting broccoli with orange and chilli and coriander dumplings

Punjabi Bhuna style Chicken Curry, Chickpea curry, aloo ghobi subzi, Rice (Choose from aromatic/tamarind/coconut/lemon), Naan bread, cucumber raita

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Berries with ricotta and honey

Frutta D’estate con cioccolata bianca (Berries with white chocolate sauce)

Mango with lime syrup

Sticky toffee pudding & custard

Vanilla Cheesecake with Berries

Italian Exclusive Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Insalata di manzo e patate (Rare roast beef with minty potato salad)

Capesante e peperoni (Scallops with pepper and tomato sala)

Spaghetti aglio, olio, pepperoncino e capperi (Spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, chilli and capers)

Trio of crostini topped with Warmed Tomato Sauce, Capers And Mozarella, Soft Cheese And Parsley, and Aubergine caponata,

Pea And Basil Soup

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted Plaice with a parmesan crust and Radiccio and red onions on white bean puree

Polpette (Roasted Meatballs With Sage) Served With Tomato And Green Leaf Salad With A Mustardy Tomato Vinegarette

Capesante Con Funghi E Besciamella (Scallops Sautéed With Onion, Garlic, Butter, Thyme, Ham And Mushrooms Then Baked In The Shell With Bechamel Sauce)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Spinach and Artichoke Tart with Sicilian Vegetable Stew

Roasted Sea Bream and Lemon cous cous and baked parmesan courgettes

Tagliata di Agnello (Thinly sliced Lamb with watercress and balsamic vinegar), Polenta aala griglia con ragu di funghi (Griddled polenta with wild mushroom ragu), and Sicilian artichoke & broad bean salad with saffron dressing

Gnocchi piccanti alla Napoletana (Gnocchi with spicy tomato sauce with mozzarella) with Melanzane grigliate (Griddled aubergines with tomatoes and herb yoghurt)

Fillet steak with rocket, pecorino cheese and balsamico served with Radiccio and red onions on white bean puree

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Frutta D’estate con cioccolata bianca (Berries with white chocolate sauce)

Mango with lime syrup

Sponge Cake with Mascarpone

Birthday menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Canape of Pea And Parma Ham Crostini

Canape of Onion, Herb And Roasted Garlic Tartlet

Canape of Herb Pancakes With Sour Cream And Caviar

Canape of Spicy Carrot Fritters With Houmous

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Asparagus Mimosa (Flavoured with capers, mint, mustard dressing and with a mashed boiled egg topping)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Chilli mint lamb cutlets with lemon and mint sauce, Chilli Bean, Pumpkin And Broccoli Bake With Mozzarella (Vegetarian), Garlic And SageRoasted Plaice with a parmesan crust (Pescetarian),

Roast potatoes with garlic and chives

Broccoli with orange and chilli

Honey Glazed carrots

Pecan stuffing cake

Braised red cabbage and beetroot

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Sponge and custard

Sticky toffee pudding & custard

Strawberries and Meringue

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Chef Manika's reviews

4.57

•

44 services

As a special treat I organised a Chef to cook for my family to celebrate a special birthday. I was lucky enough to have found Manika! Manika and Justin were truly wonderful, so attentive and they felt like part of the family gathering. With Manika’s incredible home-cooked food and attentive service, the evening was relaxed and as enjoyable as I had hoped for. Manika’s range of cooking abilities is extraordinary as is her attention to detail. It was a pleasure to welcome Manika and Justin into our family for such a special occasion. I would totally recommend that others consider this wonderful experience. Wendy

Incredible experience - Manika was awesome!

Manika made some really delicious food and was excellent throughout! She really made our evening special. Would highly recommend.

Manila ?was great happy, chatty, and efficient , we had a lovely evening . Food good and plentiful .

Manika’s food was absolutely delicious, portions were generous and we had enough for a large dinner the next day. the table was set beautifully with lovely table cloths and candles, which was a nice touch. the tirimisu was to die for!

We found Manika to be everything we anticipated. We found her to be so friendly, polite and professional. The food was outstanding with the first two courses being some of the finest we have tasted. I would not hesitate in recommending Take a Chef.

We had a brilliant experience with Manika. She cooked for 10 of us on christmas day and did an incredible job. She creates a lovely environment in the kitchen, fitted in really well with the family (everyone loved her) and was a very calming presence in clearly communicating what we were eating and the timing. All the dishes were delicious and packed with flavour and the turkey even had flavour! Cant recommend Manika highly enough.

An amazing experience from the very first interaction, designing the menu choice and all the way to the evening itself. And what an evening it was! Absolutely stunning food, beautifully presented and served with a smile and an explanation of the dishes. Without hesitation I would encourage anyone considering Manikas Indian Kitchen to make the booking without hesitation, you won't regret it.