Icing on the winner’s cake

S: Hello Jaishree (shaking hands).

J: Hello, I am delighted to meet you.

(Sitting down in the lobby)

S: Congratulations.

J: So, you liked my recipe?

S: Yeah, yeah, definitely. That’s the reason it was selected over other recipes. Was it your own recipe?

J: Actually I wanted to cook it with khoya. Since I couldn’t step out to the market, I made use of the Milkmaid I had at home instead of the khoya. And it turned out quite well.

S: It definitely sounds good. Are you a Kutchi?

J: Guess?

S: You are Jaishree Thakkar…

J: No, it’s Mittal. Jaishree Mittal.

S: You’re a Punjabi…

J: No, I am not.

S: (Laughing) I give up. J: I am an Agarwal from UP.

S: Where in UP?

J: From Muzaffar Nagar. Have you been there?

S: Actually, I will be going to Meerut soon.

J: Most of the spices that you use are similar to the ones I add to my cooking. I guess that is because we come from the same place.

(On the way to the kitchen.)

J: (Whispering) He is so nice and decent. No airs, nothing. Look at the way he chatted with me. (Finally the journey to the Chef’s rasoi ghar ends.)

S: Come. Here’s the kitchen.

J: Oh God! (Glaring at the staff and the startled chefs.) It feels like I am one of the Centaur staff. The colour of my saree is exactly the same as their uniform. (walking ahead, self consciously.)

S: Here’s the patisserie. (opening the door of the freezer, revealing rows of cakes on the shelf.)

J: There are so many cakes!

S: This is a new decoction made by one of our chefs. It is on trial. (picking up a goblet filled with some delicious looking liquid) Meet Chef Zafar Ahmed.

J: Hello.

Chef Zafar Ahmed: Glad to meet you.

(Stepping out of the kitchen.)

J: It was a nice experience. It is far better than winning some gift. I had given up hope, since I sent my recipe a long time ago. But now when I realised that the winners are selected once in six weeks, I must say that I am really very lucky.

S: It was a pleasure meeting you. Keep sending recipes. As they say, `You must be in to win’.

J: Yes, I will do that. Can I have your card?

S: Sure. (Hunting for his visiting card). You wouldn’t believe the way I run out of cards. I finished around 500 in a matter of two weeks. The other day my colleague was asking me whether I stand near the station and hand it out to people!

J: Since I am sitting idle at home, I would like to help you if you need a hand with your research. I will give you my number.

S: (Taking down the number) Actually it is there in your recipe entry. Even your address is there — Juhu-5, I think.

J: (Pleased that he remembered it) Right. And you stay in Andheri?

S: Okay, I will contact you; in the meantime, you can call up any time at the Centaur. All the best.

J: Thank you.

— Coordinated by Chatura Poojari