Cooking, Entertaining, and Spreading the Warmth: A Story from the Heart of My Home

• Ronnie Gor

There’s something incredibly powerful about gathering loved ones around food, especially when that food carries stories, memories, and flavors from home. This month, I had the joy of hosting my annual “Indian Vegetarian Culinary Experience” event at our home in Tarzana – a fundraiser for my son’s school, and a heartfelt tradition that allows me to share not just recipes, but pieces of my heritage.

Bringing India to Los Angeles: A Culinary Journey

The evening was an immersion into the vibrant vegetarian cuisine of India. I guided guests through live cooking demonstrations of traditional dishes from my hometown of Surat in Gujarat, along with some North Indian favorites. From spiced tomato and potato sabzi to moong dal, puffed puris, rich shiro (a warm dessert made with wheat flour, ghee, and sugar), and masala chai—each dish was infused with love, storytelling, and a deep cultural connection.

Guests were also treated to a generous spread of pre-prepared favorites like pani puri, dal makhani, paneer tikka masala, pulao, garlic naan, and assorted Gujarati snacks. Our home was filled with laughter, curiosity, and the aroma of spices—cardamom, cumin, turmeric—each with its own history and healing power.

To end the evening, I offered small gifts: artisan-made objects from across India and bundles of incense I had brought back from my recent travels. These takeaways, like the evening itself, were meant to carry the warmth of the experience home with each guest.

“Atithi Devo Bhava”: The Soul of Hospitality

In Indian culture, we live by the principle of atithi devo bhava—the guest is God. It’s a value I’ve carried with me since childhood, and one that continues to guide the way I host, design, and live. Sharing a meal, inviting someone into your space, and feeding them with care—these are all sacred acts. And this event was a true reflection of that belief.

A Home Designed for Connection

What made this evening even more meaningful was how seamlessly our home supported the experience. When I designed this house, I didn’t fully realize how perfectly it would lend itself to events like this. But its open layout, natural flow between indoors and outdoors, and constant connection to greenery and light turned out to be the ideal canvas for warmth, conversation, and celebration.

From the white quartz countertops in the kitchen to the indoor-outdoor porcelain tile floors that extend without thresholds, the space invites movement and interaction. Guests felt as if they were in their own home, comfortably drifting between cooking demos, dinner, and casual conversations.

Thoughtful design details—Fleetwood sliding doors, soft wood finishes, warm whites, and cool greys—created a calm, welcoming atmosphere. Italian light fixtures, French and Indian furnishings, and sustainable American design elements came together to reflect the eclectic, globally inspired identity of the home.

Sustainable by Design

More than just beautiful, this home was crafted with intention. Rooted in passive house principles, it features deep south-facing overhangs for seasonal temperature control, north-facing windows to flood the interiors with natural light, and energy-efficient systems like induction cooktops, LED lighting, and an all-electric VRF climate system.

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Amorphous Studio. We believe that architecture should serve not only the people who live in it but also the planet. That means designing homes that are energy-efficient, resilient, and built with materials that minimize environmental impact.

Designing for Resilience in a Changing Climate

In the wake of the recent fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, the importance of resilient, fire-conscious design has never been clearer. We have a responsibility—to ourselves, our families, and future generations—to create homes that can withstand nature’s challenges while still offering beauty, comfort, and joy.

At Amorphous Studio, we weave fire-resistant design strategies seamlessly into the architecture, ensuring that safety and style go hand in hand. We believe that every home should be a sanctuary—not just in its aesthetic appeal but in its ability to shelter, protect, and inspire.

The Heart of Every Home

This event reminded me that a kitchen is so much more than a place to cook—it’s the heart of the home. A space where stories unfold, traditions are passed down, and community is nourished. When designed with care, a home can become a vessel for connection, celebration, and the pure joy of living.

Whether you’re building new or reimagining your current space, our team at Amorphous Studio is here to help you design with intention, integrity, and heart.