Annamma Mathew Biography 
Annamma Mathew, also known as Mrs. K. M. Mathew was the founder chief editor of Vanitha, the largest selling women's magazine in India and a celebrity chef known for cooking recipes. Her recipes regularly featured in Vanitha Magazine and she has published several books on recipes. She is still regarded as one of the top chefs of Kerala, particularly known for traditional Kerala dishes. She authored 17 cookery books in Malayalam and 4 in English. She was married to K. M. Mathew, former Chief Editor of Kerala’s most leading Malayalam daily and India’s most circulated regional daily - Malayala Manorama. Vanitha Magazine too, belongs to Malayala Manorama Publications. She married K. M. Mathew on 7 September 1942 at the age of 20.
She was born on 22 March 1922, in Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Her father was a surgeon in the Madras civil service. She got married to Mathew when he was working as a planter aside his brother in their own family estate. She was interested in cooking and it was the turning point of her life when her Father-in-law, K. C. Mammen Mappillai, asked her to prepare a recipe to be published in Malayala Manorama. Then her recipes regularly featured in magazine and very soon, she became the leading lady of Kerala, for cookery recipes. She has made major contributions in the areas of music and social welfare apart from journalism and cookery.
She became the main columnist of new recipes in the column "Pachaka Vidhi" in Malayalam. She launched Vanitha in 1975 and her cooking tips and recipes have played the major part in popularizing this women’s magazine and at present, Vanitha is the largest selling women's magazine in India. Rachel Thomas Award (1992), 'Vignanadeepam Puraskaram' (1994) and 'Nirmithi Kendra' Award (1996) are the major honours received by her.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 13, 2014
