The Culinary Artiste

I cannot think of anything else. I always knew I would be a chef.. However,if I had to chose then I think I would have been an engineer.”

Apart from salt,which ingredient is most important?

I believe fresh coriander is very useful. It can be used as garnishing in any cuisine and it also brings a nice flavour to the food,along with an appetizing aroma. It is very versatile,and can also be used as a substitute for parsley in Italian dishes.

Which method of cooking is the healthiest?

Steaming is the healthiest way to cook food. The nutrition value is kept intact and the fat gets melted away. You can steam practically anything,from fish and chicken to vegetables,rice and so on.

Do you prefer Indian or Continental food?

Continental food is healthier than Indian food. Indian food usually contains a lot of oil and spices,pushing cholesterol levels and calorie consumption higher. On the other hand,Continental food involves roasting,grilling,poaching and steaming,making it nutritious and less fattening. My personal favourite is Roasted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes.

Do you feel that Puneites experiment with food?

The people of Pune are gradually developing a taste for new cuisines. People do try out some unconventional dishes,giving us space for innovation and experimentation. I am always experimenting with Indian food,pastries,breads and chocolate,by trying to reduce the calorie content without compromising on the taste and flavour.

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

There are so many facets to the Indian cuisine,like South Indian,Punjabi,Marathi,Bengali and so on. However,if only one dish was to represent the entire cuisine,it would be Tandoori chicken,not only because it is one of my favourite dishes,but also because I have never met a person who does not love Tandoori Chicken. It is fat-free and I think it is the tastiest heath food; healthy,because it is roasted in an oven and reduced of all fats.

As told to Anjali Jhangiani