Mad Love – Big Flavors Made to Share, from South Asia to the West Indies

Book Details

Title: Mad Love: Big Flavors Made to Share, from South Asia to the West Indies

Author: Chef Devan Rajkumar

Published: 2024

Publisher: Figure 1 Publishing

Pages: 304

Country of Origin: Canada / Guyanese Heritage

Primary Cuisine: Indo-Caribbean & Global Fusion

Category: Contemporary Caribbean Cookbook

About the Author

Chef Devan Rajkumar is an award-winning Guyanese-Canadian chef, television personality, culinary educator, and food advocate. Born in Toronto to Guyanese parents of Indian heritage, he grew up immersed in the flavours of Guyana, the Caribbean, and South Asia. His career has taken him around the world, cooking and learning in countries including India, Pakistan, Scotland, and Mexico, experiences that have shaped his bold and innovative culinary style.

Known to many as Chef Dev, he has built a global following through television appearances, live cooking demonstrations, and social media, where he shares his passion for making vibrant, approachable food. His mission is simple: bring people together through flavour, culture, and hospitality.

About the Book

Mad Love is more than a cookbook—it’s a celebration of identity, family, and the cultural connections that exist between South Asia and the Caribbean. Drawing on his Guyanese heritage and global culinary adventures, Chef Devan presents more than 100 recipes that combine traditional Caribbean comfort food with modern international influences.

Throughout the book, readers discover the foods that shaped his childhood alongside recipes inspired by his travels and professional career. The result is a colourful collection that honours tradition while encouraging creativity in the kitchen. Every recipe is accompanied by personal stories that celebrate family, migration, heritage, and the universal language of food.

What You’ll Find Inside

• More than 100 recipes
• Guyanese favourites
• Indo-Caribbean classics
• South Asian-inspired dishes
• Caribbean comfort food
• Fresh breads and rotis
• Curries and stews
• Seafood and meat dishes
• Street food favourites
• Desserts and sweet treats
• Personal stories and family traditions
• Stunning full-colour photography

Signature Recipes

Among the recipes featured are:

• Guyanese Pepperpot
• Dhal and Curry Dishes
• Doubles
• Roti
• Chutneys
• Fresh Flatbreads
• Caribbean-inspired Seafood
• Modern Fusion Bowls
• South Asian Street Food
• Chef Dev’s signature flavour-packed creations

The cookbook blends familiar Guyanese flavours with influences from India, Pakistan, and Chef Devan’s international travels, creating recipes that are both comforting and adventurous.

Why We Recommend It

At Taste Guyana, we celebrate cookbooks that tell the evolving story of Guyanese cuisine. Mad Love honours the traditions of Guyanese cooking while embracing the global influences that have shaped the modern Caribbean diaspora. It demonstrates that preserving heritage doesn’t mean standing still—it means continuing to cook, share, and innovate while staying connected to your roots.

Best For

✔ Home cooks

✔ Caribbean food lovers

✔ Indo-Caribbean cuisine enthusiasts

✔ Members of the Guyanese diaspora

✔ Fans of fusion cooking

✔ Anyone looking to expand their culinary repertoire

Taste Guyana Rating

Heritage: ★★★★★

Creativity: ★★★★★

Recipe Variety: ★★★★★

Storytelling: ★★★★★

Photography: ★★★★★

Overall Recommendation: ★★★★★

Did You Know?

Before launching Mad Love, Chef Devan Rajkumar travelled extensively throughout India and Pakistan, learning regional cooking techniques that would later influence his interpretation of Indo-Caribbean cuisine. He officially launched the cookbook in Guyana, describing it as a deeply personal project and a legacy celebrating his family’s roots.

Taste Guyana Verdict

Mad Love is one of the most exciting contemporary cookbooks by a chef of Guyanese heritage. Rather than limiting itself to traditional recipes, it explores the rich culinary connections between Guyana, South Asia, and the wider Caribbean through more than 100 vibrant dishes and heartfelt stories. Chef Devan Rajkumar has created a cookbook that is both deeply personal and universally inviting, reminding readers that the best meals are those shared with family, friends, and a generous helping of love. It is a standout addition to any collection celebrating the past, present, and future of Guyanese cuisine.