Written by Ruta Patil Tucked away in Pune’s Warje is a central kitchen from where you have to order at least a day ahead if you hope to get any of its prized dishes – and a month in advance during the festival season! Known for its authentic Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu or CKP cuisine, the place specialises in Biryanis and has not only won the hearts of Punekars, but also found fans among innumerable celebrities across the state – from the top names in Bollywood to the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar as well as a slew of cricketing legends and political heavyweights. “A serving of Potnis’ signature biryani is a masterpiece in itself: layers of the world’s longest grain basmati rice, tender meat, and a perfectly balanced blend of spices. Every masala used is made in-house, and I personally oversee the sourcing of ingredients,” says founder Harshal Potnis, 54, who runs this culinary powerhouse – Potnis Biryani from CKP's Kitchen – that serves nearly 2,000 people a day. “We use 25 spices to make our masalas. All our ingredients are handpicked. That is how we maintain the quality,” he says with quiet pride. The biryani is served in a specially designed handi that not only locks in its rich aroma but also makes reheating effortless. So popular is the taste that food lovers from Mumbai often send people to Pune just to pick up parcels from the Warje central kitchen. But behind this thriving food empire lies a story of passion, persistence, and purpose. From cooking at age 12 to winning Lata Mangeshkar’s approval Harshal’s relationship with food began when he was just eight years old. Every Sunday, he would accompany his father to buy meat for the family’s special weekend feast. “Those outings taught me how to source the best raw material. There are different techniques to buy various types of fish, I learned how to look for the best and get the best,” he recalls. By the age of 12, he began cooking alongside his grandmother and mother, proud just to stir the pots of simmering curries. By 18, he had become the official cook for family gatherings of over 60 people. “In the CKP community, we have large family get-togethers and even greater love for food. Cooking for my loved ones gave me the confidence to start cooking commercially.” Though he studied medicine, Harshal’s heart was always in the kitchen. In his 20s, with the unwavering support of his mother and wife, he launched a small home kitchen, doing everything by himself, from purchasing to cooking to delivering. Within just six months, destiny came calling. Lata Mangeshkar tasted his food and recommended it to many others. “After Lata Didi’s appreciation, my father finally accepted my decision to continue cooking. That was a big moment for me,” Harshal shares. From a modest home kitchen, the business moved to a rented space and eventually, in 2014, to a sprawling 2,500 sq ft space in Warje, where three kitchens now run in parallel. Taste that reaches one’s heart Today, Potnis’ biryani is savoured by the Kapoors, Khans, Devgns, and even cricketing legends. “Whenever (MS) Dhoni is in Pune, we send him our biryani. Maestros like Taufiq Qureshi love it,” Harshal says with a smile, adding that Rahul Dravid is another big fan.
