Running cooking classes for men

Medha Gokhale is not just an actress, theatre director, and naturopathy expert, she is also a woman who dared to break stereotypes. In 2005, she started a cooking class for men in Pune with a very unique approach that continues to catch everyone’s attention even today. At a time when kitchens were still considered a woman’s domain, her initiative stood out as bold and refreshing. Through her classes, she not only taught men the art of daily cooking but also planted the idea that food, health, and responsibility belong to everyone, not just women. Her journey beautifully blends creativity, care, and social change.

Mrunal
September 22, 2025

Boss Naari: Teaching men to cook in 2005 was very unusual for those times. How did it all begin?

Medha: Yes, in 2005 I started my first batch with 14 students, and it became big news. Back then, many men did not even step into the kitchen, so teaching them was seen as very different. People were surprised, but the response was very encouraging. The idea came to me after I returned from Japan, where I had directed a Marathi play translated into Japanese in the year 2000. When that project ended in 2005, after that I felt to do something different and that is when I thought, why not teach men cooking?

Boss Naari: What kind of mindset change were you hoping to bring through these classes?

Medha: Healthy food is necessary because we eat to keep ourselves going. Why should cooking be divided between males and females? Even today, we see in the news that women are being insulted or even hit because they cannot cook properly. In a home, every space belongs to everyone, so why should the kitchen be only for women?
Earlier, women served everyone first and ate last. Families were larger, women stayed at home, and men never entered the kitchen. Times have changed, women have joined the workforce too. My classes gave men a chance to learn, and it changed their thinking too.

Medha Gokhale with her crew in Japan for the play

Boss Naari: Beyond necessity, how do you see cooking as a skill for men?

Medha: Cooking is not only about survival. It can be a hobby and even a depression-buster. A man who learns cooking can manage when his wife is unwell, busy, or away. Retired men can spend their time learning and helping. As wives also grow older, a helping hand is valuable. Cooking together as a family also creates bonding and happiness.

Boss Naari: Do you see cooking as part of a larger lifestyle change?

Medha: Yes, definitely. Today’s diseases like diabetes, heart problems, and many others are on the rise. People should have access to healthy food, or food specifically recommended for such conditions, such as less oily food or sugar-free options. These foods should ideally be cooked at home, because home-cooked meals are more nourishing. They do not contain preservatives or artificial coloring agents used to last it longer or make it “look” delicious.

Not only do I teach daily essential meals, but I also cover therapeutic diets recommended by doctors for certain health conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, and more. In addition, I conduct classes on snacks, and I also offer a special one-day ‘Tawa Class’ where I teach a variety of food items prepared on pans.

Men living alone or students away from home benefit a lot if they know cooking. In fact, after COVID, I saw a major mindset shift. More men became interested in learning. Earlier, people thought only students going abroad needed cooking classes, but I always asked, why only them? Shouldn’t everyone know how to cook? If women can step out for work, then men should step into the kitchen.

A snapshot of Medha during her cooking class

Boss Naari: Over the years, what have been some memorable experiences from your teaching journey?

Medha: I have taught people from ages 16 to 75. One very special experience was when a blind married man came to me. He said he wanted to learn cooking, and I guided his hands through touch using my acting skills. It was like an exam for me, but I gave my best to teach him.
Another touching moment was when a divorced man joined. He wanted to cook for his children and prepare whatever they asked for. These experiences, along with many others over my 20 years of teaching, have kept me motivated.

Rather than focusing on fancy dishes, Medha chose to teach the preparation of everyday meals.

Boss Naari: You must have come across many unique stories of men joining your classes. Could you share a few?

Medha: Yes, there are countless stories. A wealthy builder once joined my class. Every year he gave his wife expensive gifts such as diamond jewellery for her birthday, but that year he wanted to surprise her by cooking breakfast himself. Later his son and grandson also learned cooking from me.
Another man came because his wife was expecting twins, and he wanted to support her. There was also a husband who learned because his wife was working, and he wanted to share her responsibility. Many men joined to show respect to their wives, and cooking became their way of expressing it.

Medha Gokhale while directing a short film

Boss Naari: You often say cooking is not just about food, but about understanding responsibilities. Could you explain that?

Medha: In the kitchen, there are many duties like planning, managing, and maintaining, not just cooking. When a man enters the kitchen, he begins to understand how much work is involved. Then he realizes the effort women put in every day, and naturally, he starts respecting women more. That is one big reason why men should learn cooking.

Boss Naari: Do you believe cooking should be mandatory for men?

Medha: Yes, absolutely. Our health and growth depend on food. ‘Ann he Purna Brahma’ (Every morsel of food has god in it). Everyone should know how to cook. In earlier times, men were expected only to earn.Today, women support their husbands in contributing to the household finances and have to go to office most of the week, so men should also accept their share of responsibility at home. If both partners are earning, then both should also be able to cook. Cooking is not just survival, it is respect, equality, and happiness in the family.

Medha with her family

Boss Naari: Did your personal experiences at home shape these thoughts?

Medha: Yes, very much. As an actress and theatre director, I had many opportunities in Mumbai, while my husband and two daughters were living in Pune. At that time, there were no tiffin services, daily meal options, or online food delivery available. Whenever I got even one day off, I would travel to Pune to prepare for meals for my family so they did not have to struggle for food.
I had also seen my father cooking at home, which inspired me. But in those days, cooking was always assumed to be a woman’s duty. These experiences made me realize that cooking should not be limited to women. Since the food we eat is needed for our stomach, why should everyone not be able to cook for themselves?