2024-09-14 11:55:15
Chef Ranveer Brar, born in the city of Nawabs, Lucknow, presented Indian food to the world in a different way. Ranveer, who has done many cooking shows, has also written many books. These days he is in the news for his new show. He had a special conversation with us:
Nowadays there is a lot of talk about equality between men and women. According to you, how much has the participation of men in the kitchen increased?
Some people say that this is a woman’s job. Then the same people say why all the chefs in the kitchen are male. First of all, this should be understood in a gender neutral way. This is not someone’s job. Cooking is a passion, whoever likes it should do it. For a long time, men dominated the cooking in restaurants and hotels. However, now that thing is also slowly changing. Similarly, it is important to make the kitchen at home gender neutral as well. The way we are progressing in the world today, gender has no meaning anymore. You will be surprised to know that 65 percent of the subscribers on my YouTube channel are men. They learn to cook and also cook at home.
When you thought of becoming a chef, what was the reaction of your family?
When I was growing up, that is, I am talking about 1993, at that time people did not think of anything other than becoming a doctor or engineer. If the boy is worthless, then get him to do graduation. If that is not possible, then make him a bank PO. If that still is not happening, then get him a job in the railways. I thought I am not going to do all this. People asked what will you do. I said I will cook. I took admission in Hotel Management College in Lucknow. At that time no one even thought that a career can be made in cooking. Later the family members also felt that whatever I am doing is fine.
Everyone’s first dish is special. Tell us the story of your first dish?
Rajma-Chawal. I was 15 years old then. Mother was unwell. She said that your father must be returning from work, cook whatever you can. I cooked, father ate. Father did not say anything to me. But he told mother that Rajma-Chawal was good. Then from there, some courage and hope grew. Before that, at the age of 11, I had cooked sweet rice with jaggery for the first time in the Gurudwara. The energy in the place where food is prepared impressed me right from the beginning.
How has your journey been from cooking at home to becoming a professional chef?
Actually, every chef has a journey which starts from home. He sees that his grandmother, mother…cooks very tasty food. Then he goes to study. Then he feels that the things being cooked at home were nothing special. There are so many types of food like Italian, French and Thai. That is part 2. Then comes part 3, when he thinks that all this is fine. But if someone wants to eat French food, then why would he eat it from an Indian. This will increase the respect of French people. If I want to get respect, then I should cook my own Indian food. Then he starts cooking his own food. Then his reference point is the same grandmother. I believe that if you want to make a name in the world, then you can do it only by cooking your own food.
How do you present Indian food abroad so that people there like the food?
See, the food doesn’t change. If we are serving a dish in Dubai, then the dish remains the same, only the reference points change. Actually, the story telling and reference points change according to the market. Otherwise you change 10 percent of your food according to the market. If it is a very different market, then it becomes 15 percent. The way of serving also changes there. Every country has a different way of serving food. The names of the dishes don’t change, only their description changes. If I am explaining it to you, then I will explain it in your way. If I am explaining it in America, then I will explain it in their way.
What will people get to see in your new show?
My new show ‘Thums Up Toofani Biryani Hunt’ Season 2 will be shot in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Actually, we had asked our viewers which biryani is the most toofani? After this question was asked on social media, we got lakhs of responses and the places were decided according to the votes. Actually, we have tried to capture the emotions and passion for biryani for the whole of India in this show.
What is your fitness mantra?
Taste everything, eat nothing.