A Nawabi touch

I don’t know. I always wanted to be a chef. I have never thought about an alternate profession. I like to cook and that is exactly what I am doing.

Which ingredient is most important after salt?

In order to make your food delicious,spices are very important. Oil too is essential. Every recipe has its own requirements and we have to add all those ingredients to get the desired result. I can’t name any one particular ingredient.

Which method of cooking is the healthiest?

The Indian style of cooking is very healthy. The food is diverse and tasty. In our restaurant,our customers give their preferences,like some ask to cook food in minimum oil,some like it to be very spicy and hot. We are very particular about hygiene,as that is the most important aspect of cooking healthy food. When it comes to non-vegetarian food,we have to be very cautious about the meat we are cooking. A strict code of conduct is followed to makesure the food is healthy.

Do you prefer Indian or continental food?

I prefer Indian food. Nawabi food is my personal favourite. I like Awadhi Food. Murga Biryani Delhiwali and Dam-phuk Biryani are a few favourites. One dish which is very popular at our restaurant is Kareli ki Nihari. Even the terminology in our restaurant is very Awadhi. For instance,rice is called Chawal Ka Khazana.

Do you think Puneites experiment with their food?

Absolutely,they like trying out new things. In our restaurant,we serve different types of dishes and all the new styles and varieties are appreciated by them.

Which dish can most aptly be called the representative of Indian cuisine?

It has to be Biryani. It maybe Hyderabadi Biryani or our Dam-phuk Biryani. The dish is the only name that comes to mind. It is tasty,healthy and filling.

– As told to Aniket Deshmukh