Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle has long mesmerised the world with her voice, but lesser known is her flair for food, a passion she cultivated over the decades, even opening her own restaurant in multiple places around the world. Her cooking journey didn’t begin with cookbooks or classes, it began at home, fuelled by love, instinct, and a bit of jealousy. “Main momo banati hun.mujhe Mala Sinha ne seekhaya hai,” Asha shared candidly in a heartwarming conversation with Kamiya Jani of Curly Tales. From biryani to momos and her signature Peshawari dal, her repertoire is rich with quintessential Indian foods, all learnt from life, friends, and her relentless curiosity. Her son Anand's childhood hunger was the spark. “Jab woh chaar-paanch saal ka tha. jab main recording se aati thi, toh woh kehta tha, ‘Aai tu kya karte?’” She instinctively knew it meant he was hungry. “Mujhe maloom tha, inko biryani chahiye, inko mutton chicken chahiye.” And so, Asha would whip up feasts, straight from her heart and fridge. Her son eventually turned his admiration into a dream. “Bada hone ke baad bola, main restaurant banata hoon tumhare naam se. tumhara khaana hona chahiye usmein.” That was when Asha started earnestly collecting recipes, one region at a time. “Jahan-jahan jaati thi, wahaan main poochti thi: yeh kaise banta hai?” She credits Makhdoom ‘Majrooh’ Sultanpuri’s wife for teaching her authentic Lucknowi cuisine, while Punjabi, Bengali, and Sikh recipes came from friends and extended family. “Bengal toh mera sasural ban gaya tha, toh wahan se khaana seekha.” Her food became famous across the film fraternity. “Poori industry mein mera khana famous hai. Main har hafte.60–70 log aate the. Itne bade patile mein khaana banati thi.” And her daal? Legendary. “Meri daal jo hai — 'Maa ki daal' bolte hain — woh maine Peshawar ke logon se seekhi hai. Meri jo dal hai kahin nahi milti hai.” What’s most endearing is that Asha learnt to cook not just to impress, but to connect, especially with her children. “Jab mere bachhe doosre ghar jaake kehte, ‘Aunty ne acche kebab banaye,’ mujhe accha nahi lagta tha. maine har ek se seekha, pata bhi nahi lagta tha unko ki main seekh rahi hoon.” She admits it was jealousy, tinged with a mother’s love, that pushed her to perfect her food. Even today, her grandchildren know the difference. “Unki maa ne bhi ghar ka bana diya, toh bolte, ‘Yeh Asha aai ke haath ka khaana nahi hai.’” That’s how distinct her touch is. ' And no matter where she travels, she brings India along, even to an Italian restaurant. “Main mirchi, namak aur tel ki bottle mangati hoon. unki double roti ke saath mila ke kha leti hoon.”
