Sanjeev Kapoor is already one of the most celebrated and recognized names in the Indian culinary industry. A successful TV show host, author of bestselling cookbooks, restaurant consultant, architect of a unique range of food products and winner of numerous awards, Kapoor also launched the wildly popular FOODFOOD channel in India several years ago. This 24X7 lifestyle channel that serves as a destination for those passionate about the flavors, art and lifestyle of Indian cuisine, will now be coming to U.S. audiences via the DISH network (channel 713). With the growing demand for viewers who want to immerse themselves in the Indian food culture, popular programs like Sanjeev Kapoor’s Kitchen, Turban Tadka, Mummy Ka Magic and Health Mange More will now be available for even more people to enjoy. How did you get the idea to start the FoodFood channel? What made you think a channel like this would be successful? When I first thought of the idea in India, I didn’t think there would be a market for a channel dedicated solely to food. But then during the course of my international travels, I saw that many other markets had food-focused channels that were popular and successful. I really believed there should be something similar in India given the importance of food in the Indian culture and when I launched FoodFood 4 years ago, it took off and did extremely well. The channel has basically grown every year since then and is currently one of the most watched lifestyle channels in India. What do you think viewers value most about FoodFood? I think people like that there’s something for everyone on the channel. Although everything is about food, the diversity of programming ranges from learning to travel to Bollywood to reality shows to...

Indian celebrity chef Manoj Rai brings Italian kitchen to the satellite town. Navi mumbai : The city of Navi mumbai will now boast of its first celebrity Chef kitchen. Celebrity Chef Manoj Rai has launched his Italian concept kitchen “Macchiato – Pizzeria, Bar & Grill” in the city. The restaurant will be first of its kind serving exclusive and authentic Italian cuisine to food lovers in the city. Right from Wood fired Pizza to the best of Italian wine; Macchiato will provide all of it under one roof. “While working on Macchiato, we were very clear in our thoughts. We wanted to be the best, and for that we had to serve the best. To achieve that perfection we worked on authenticity. Right from our interiors, which are designed by an award winning Italian designer to our ingredients which are sourced directly from Italy.” Says Chef Manoj Rai, Managing Partner & CEO Macchiato, Venezia food and beverages pvt ltd. Chef Ripu Daman Handa – Master chef session-3 winner is also associated with Macchiato as associate director. The promoters Venezia Food & Beverages Pvt Ltd an Indian subsidiary of GC&P, Italy have plans to open Macchiato in 10 other locations in next 18 months. Apart from the restaurant the European SME facilitator has some serious investment plans in real estate and renewable energy sector in the country. “India is looking upwards and we believe that cities like Navi Mumbai will fuel the growth, and that is why we chose Navi Mumbai as the location for our first project. Sectors like F&B, real estate and Energy are looking really interesting for us. We are looking at facilitating investments close to 5000 Crores in next five years in various upcoming sectors in the country. As far as...

Hari Nayak is an Indian chef, restaurateur, author, and food and culinary consultant in North America. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, he is one of the most sought after chefs today for his distinct cooking style. His “Modern Indian Cooking” and “My Indian Kitchen” cookbooks highlight his simplistic and fresh style, making Indian cuisine accessible to the everyday cook. His roster of restaurants includes Orissa, Soul Spice, Café Spice, Café Spice Dosateria, Halo Fete, and Matt & Meera. Many chefs today are doing “modern” takes on traditional Indian cuisine. What does “modern Indian cuisine” mean to you personally? It’s fantastic that other chefs are exploring the area I helped pioneer back in 2007 when my book, “Modern Indian Cooking”, was released and named the best cookbook of the year. I started envisioning and working on this concept since the time I came to the U.S. I wanted to put Indian cuisine on the global map beyond the typical dishes and make it more accessible to the western audience – not just in restaurants but also in their very own kitchens. My approach was to simply take traditional Indian dishes and make them adaptable by giving a modern twist and new makeover using western cooking techniques and ingredients. Of the cookbooks you’ve authored, which is your favorite and why? I have written 5 cookbooks to date and they are like the 5 fingers on my hand! I don’t have a favorite since each has had some role to play in my growth and learning. However, amongst them all, I would say “My Indian Kitchen” has won the most accolades and been my highest selling book and I would give a thumbs up to it! What kinds of things do you advise on as...

Shipra Khanna didn’t dream of being a chef from a young age like many other contestants on MasterChef. She didn’t think that pursuing a career in the food industry would play any role in her life. She was simply carrying out her daily duties as a young housewife and developing her cooking skills out of necessity – to feed her husband, his family, and her children whose special needs forced her to develop creative and healthy alternatives to traditional foods. It was a true Cinderella story when Shipra was crowned winner of MasterChef India. Her victory and subsequent fame made her a symbol of hope to other women and an example of how breaking societal molds can be possible. With innovative creations like yam mousse, tandoori chicken-flavored pate, and carrot cake with garam masala, Shipra surprised the judges and fans by turning out delicious dishes without any formal culinary training. Her accomplishment was even further impressive when it was revealed that she had landed on the show by having the courage to leave an abusive marriage in pursuit of a life worth living. Here, Shipra shares her perspective on the journey. What made you decide to go on MasterChef India? What was it like to win that competition and how did it affect you? The support of my parents and their belief in me gave me the strength and inspiration to go on Ma​sterChef. My cooking skills were something I have been developing for many years through making new dishes for my family and children so I knew it was something I was good at. You’ve faced some difficult times in your life. How did those experiences influence you and make you who you are today? Difficult times​​ always make​s one wiser. My experiences taught me a...

Saransh Goila made his first Indian dish for his family when he was just 12 years old. Fifteen years later, at the age of 27, he is now one of India’s youngest celebrity chefs and food television hosts. Winning a spot on Food Food Maha Challenge, a reality show hosted by Sanjeev Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, Saransh beat out 15 other contestants to achieve the title of India Ka Super Chef. Today, Saransh is based in New Delhi and dabbles as a food consultant, actor, author, and host of Roti Rasta aur India, India’s biggest food travelogue show on the FoodFood channel. When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in food? What inspired you to do this? I’ve been cooking since I was 12 years old. But the first time I really thought of food as a career option was in the 12th grade when I was studying to be an engineer and failing miserably at it. I had always thought of the kitchen as an outlet for my creative instincts and found pride and joy in cooking new dishes. I also often watched food TV shows and dreamt of sharing my cooking ability with others. My grandfather, who was an exceptional cook himself, one day suggested to me that I wasn’t born to be a scientist or an engineer. He saw me as a passionate, creative guy who loves cooking and eating and he believed I should consider food as a career option. Based on that, I began applying to catering colleges alongside engineering colleges and to my good fortune, I passed all the required exams for the prestigious catering schools. There was no looking back after that and I followed my passion to pursue cooking as a full-time career....

Ripu Daman may be a MasterChef India winner but his talents extend far beyond the kitchen. The energetic and vibrant 24 year is dabbling in television hosting, dancing, reality shows, and hopes to open his own restaurant someday. We caught up with him when he was recently in New York to film for Varli’s Choice, a new television show coming to Star Plus where Ripu will be the host. So what do you think of New York City? This is my first time in New York and I can truly say that it is a brilliant place. It has always been my dream to come here because ever since I was young, my dad would come to New York and tell me all about it. I think walking or biking is the best way to see the streets of this city so even though I have access to a car, taxis, etc. I’ve been getting around on Citibike everywhere so I can stop and visit every restaurant and street food vendor. As a huge foodie myself, I love that you can get so many different types of cuisine here from falafel to Thai to Japanese to Italian to Mexican. I also love the fresh and healthy make your own salad places and find myself eating there often! How did you get started in your career? I studied in New Delhi and was trained from early childhood to cook at home. We had this tradition where every weekend my mom and sister-in-law would relax and me, my brother and my dad would cook for everyone. When I started out making chapatti, it was all out of shape and looked like a map of India! But as I got older, I learned more and more and...

Zorawar Kalra, son of celebrity chef Jiggs Kalra, is the Founder and Managing Director of Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., a venture focused on a chain of fine dining and casual smart restaurants, along with a chain of luxury mithai shops. Zorawar’s famous father previously established and successfully exited the acclaimed multi-award winning brand Punjab Grill, putting him on the map and making him a celebrity known name. Here, Zorawar shares his story of success and business philosophy. How has having a celebrity chef / restaurateur father influenced your vision? My father’s father was in the armed forces. However, coming from a family of foodies and being influenced by his mother made him interested in delving deeper into food. He has over 40 years of experience studying, promoting and redefining Indian cuisine globally, and it is his passion for Indian food that has influenced my vision over the years. Both of us believe that it is the responsibility of Indian people to showcase our cuisine to the rest of the world in a way that retains its authenticity. My father is an institution of knowledge on Indian cuisine and it is an honor for us to have him as a mentor and guiding force behind our brands. Having said that, I believe his strength lies in the cuisine itself, while my expertise is handling the business end of things. Both of us come up with some great ideas, but we spend hours discussing each of our perspectives to make sure they work from a cuisine vision standpoint as well as a business standpoint. We both have our respective strengths and complement each other really well.  “Whatever decisions I’ve made in life, personal or professional, have enabled me to become a better restaurateur, businessman, son, husband, father and above all, a better person.”  Why did you decide to focus on...

JUNOON TO MAKE DUBAI DEBUTAS FIRST EXTENSION OF CULINARY BRAND     Manhattan’s Acclaimed Contemporary Indian Restaurant to Open at UAE City’s Shangri-La Hotel Junoon, New York City’s Michelin-starred contemporary Indian restaurant known for its elegantly modern take on traditional dishes, will open its second location this fall as a 5,000 square foot, 145-seat  United Arab Emirates (UAE) outpost in Dubai’s five-star Shangri-La Hotel. New York based restaurateur Rajesh Bhardwaj, who founded Junoon as an expression of his passion for the food and culture of his native India, made the announcement at the restaurant’s third anniversary celebration on Wednesday evening, May 14. Which was sponsored by the UAE based Etihad Airways, Baron Tequila and Somrus.  He stated the new Dubai location will set the stage for future expansion of the Junoon brand; one internationally acclaimed for its exploration of Indian cuisine’s infinite gastronomic possibilities under the guidance of  Corporate  Chef Vikas Khanna, one of the subcontinent’s most renown culinary talents and cookbook authors.  A brand that has been awarded a coveted Michelin star annually since Junoon opened in 2011. “We feel strongly Junoon can be a global brand and have been researching cities that would be a good fit for our first foray into expansion.   One of the world’s fastest growing cities and travel destinations, with a large Indian ex-pat community, Dubai stood out as the site of the second Junoon,” Bhardwaj explained.  “Dubai’s dynamic culinary scene, with the world’s most celebrated chefs opening restaurants there, was another draw.  Having a presence in Dubai is increasingly important to the future international growth of a restaurant brand. Bhardwaj also cited the original Junoon’s popularity with business travelers from the UAE as a factor in deciding on Dubai, along with the restaurant being frequented by some of the...

Chef Sabyasachi Gorai is one of the most humble figures in the Indian culinary industry, despite having won numerous accolades such as the President’s Award, National Tourism Award, and “Best Chef in India” Varli Award. Here’s what he had to say when interviewed. What made you want to pursue a career in the food industry? When did you know this was your passion? Coming from a middle class family, it was clear in my mind that I wanted to start earning as soon as possible. My family did not approve of my plans to join the Air Force, leaving me to choose between Arts and the Culinary Academy. Since the chance of success in art is more remote, I joined a catering college in 1993 thinking it would be the less risky path. When I got there, the glamour of a managerial job in the front office was attractive to me, but I soon realised that I could put my artistic passion into food and create a niche that combined art and dining. Years later, here I am. “More restaurants should focus on making guests feel at home.” Your restaurants have won several international and regional awards. What do you think sets your establishments apart from the rest? I think having strong personal interest and passion are a huge part of a successful restaurant. I treat everyone coming to my restaurant as family and I expect my team to do the same. The feeling of comfort, being invited into someone’s home, and exceptional service are constantly viewed as priorities at my restaurants and customers can feel that difference. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in getting to where you are today? In almost every venture I’ve embarked on, I’ve had to...

Return to the Rivers RECIPES AND MEMORIES OF THE HIMALAYAN RIVER VALLEYS by Vikas Khanna with Andrew Blackmore-Dobbyn Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Hardcover/444 pages/ ISBN: 978-1891105-53-1 Lake Isle Press December 2013 In the realm of travel and culinary enthusiasts, few ventures are more sought-after than the adventurous culinary vacation. Food aficionados are leaving the comfort of their own kitchens to travel the globe and cook alongside expert chefs, learning the best techniques dish preparation, spice selection, and the secrets of indigenous ingredients. For those who are unable to take several weeks off to discover the wonders of international cuisines, Return to the Rivers brings the culinary expedition to you. Take a gastronomic tour with Vikas Khanna, award-winning Michelin-starred Indian chef, restaurateur, filmmaker, humanitarian and the host of the TV show MasterChef India. Both a cookbook and a travelogue, Khanna’s newest book takes us on a pilgrimage across the Himalayas as he delves into the culture and tradition surrounding these sacred foodways—everything from finding local ingredients to serving this incredible food. Vikas Khanna, along with Lake Isle Press, launched Return to the Rivers at an exclusive media event on Tuesday, January 28 at Junoon Restaurant. Return to the Rivers boasts nearly 500 pages, and 100 full-color photographs of plated dishes, exotic travel experiences, and personal and thoughtful musings that preserve the traditions, values and simple gifts that the Himalayan people bestowed upon Khanna. Khanna’s spiritual and culinary journey through the Himalayan heartland brings foodies and travel enthusiasts some of the best recipes and culture from Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, northern India, and western China. Khanna’s book explores a wide variety of cultural delicacies, as it is organized by Street Foods; Soups and Noodles; Grains; Vegetables; Fish; Poultry, Eggs, and Cheese; Meats; Breads; Condiments;...

~ Tata Motors IIFA Awards 2014 tickets go live on sale on ticketmaster ~ ~ 7000 + tickets sold out in 2 hours ~ ~ Shahid Kapoor & Farhan Akthar to host the Awards ~ ~ Shahrukh Khan to headline the event among other stars performers ~ New York, 15th January: The International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) Weekend is all set to make its American debut as they bring the magic of Indian Cinema to Tampa Bay, Florida. The 15th edition of the IIFA Weekend & Awards will be held this year from the 24th – 26th of April. IIFA management along with Bollywood superstars Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are currently on a press tour in the United States, having made their first pit-stop in the home to Hollywood, Los Angeles and the second yesterday, in Tampa Bay. The IIFA delegation and the stars continued on to the last leg of the tour today, in the Big Apple, New York. IIFA today announced its celebrations ahead of the film industry’s highly anticipated weekend extravaganza which is set to include film briefings, the IIFA Film Workshop, the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum, IIFA Rocks, IIFA Magic of the Movies & Technical Awards and the crown jewel of the Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend, the TATA Motors IIFA Awards. Headlining the Awards will be King Khan, Shahrukh Khan who is said to be the biggest star offering from Bollywood in present years. The 15th TATA Motors Awards will be hosted by Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akthar. The duo last hosted the Awards in 2012 in Singapore. Each year, IIFA Award tickets have sold out in record-breaking time. In 2011 in Toronto, on IIFA’s debut in North America, IIFA Award tickets for a capacity of 18,000 sold out...

Gaurav Tandon is a multi-faceted, multi-talented force that is fast becoming a household name in not only the UAE, but in the global Asian community. Widely considered the most influential radio and television celebrity in the UAE, Gaurav’s list of accolades provides a good glimpse into the diversity of his accomplishments. For the past 5 years, his show “Weekend Out” on Sony Television Asia has captured loyal fans and made it the most popular Asian lifestyle show on TV. Aired not only in the Mena region but also in America, Australia, Africa, and Pakistan, “Weekend Out” is largely successful because of Gaurav’s trademark sense of humor and engaging presentation style. He’s reviewed more than 500 restaurants on the show, with both the culinary industry and avid foodies tuned in to hear what he has to say. In a region where the culinary industry is starting to experience the influences of globalization, Gaurav is currently the only Asian food critic in the Middle East. This designation gives him great insight and access to the best restaurants and chefs in the increasingly popular world of Indian cuisine. It was for these reasons that Gaurav was selected as the winner of the Varli Culinary Award for Best Food Critic UAE in 2012. To Gaurav’s loyal fan base, it’s his spontaneity, creativity and wacky sense of humor that keeps them listening in year after year. Expanding beyond just television, Gaurav’s distinct and captivating voice has made him a radio star as well. His radio show has dominated the UAE airwaves for 10 years now, and it is the longest running prime time radio show in the region. To Gaurav’s loyal fan base, it’s his spontaneity, creativity and wacky sense of humor that keeps them listening in year after...

Official Cocktail Reception honoring Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri Hosted by Miss New York 2013 Amanda Mason « ‹ of 7 › »  ...

Bollywood actor, Chandrachur Singh, is a native of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. A music teacher at Doon School before his acting career took off, Chandrachur made his acting debut in 1996 in “Tere Mere Sapne”, and has since starred in movies with Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai, and Tusshar Kapoor. After taking a few year hiatus, he made a comeback in 2012 with “Chaar Din Ki Chandni”. Read below to find out more about this talented star. What are your favorite types of roles to play? I like to constantly keep things interesting and explore the versatility of my acting abilities. Each role offers new challenges and the opportunity to find something out about myself that I didn’t know before, so I’m intrigued by all types of roles. I do think comedy roles in particular are fun and exciting, but haven’t had the chance to explore many of these yet. “… they say the only constant is change, and I try to live my life by embracing that motto. I’ll never forget what it felt like to start out in this business and get my first big roles.” What do you enjoy most about acting? Acting is an exciting channel for creativity. For me, it’s become a favorite playground over time – one where I can try different things, push boundaries, and learn something new through each role or project. It’s fun to be in that kind of environment, and to know that you’re connecting with people through your work. How do you feel about being back in the scene after your hiatus? Well, they say the only constant is change, and I try to live my life by embracing that motto. I’ll never forget what it felt like to start...

Indian consulate, 3 E 64 St. NY, NY Hosted by the Honorable Consul General of India, Shri Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay Current Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo, and Global Fashion Designer, Sanjana Jon, have teamed up to promote AIDS Awareness and the Save the Girl Child campaign: On August 21st, the Honorable Consul General of India, Shri Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, hosted the launch of Sanjana Jon’s 2013 Tour of India which will feature the reigning Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo. The tour is slated for September 27th through October 6th and will include trips to the capital, New Delhi, along with Mumbai, Agra and several other key cities in India. The tour will help promote AIDS Awareness and the Save the Girl Child campaign which strives to fight female feticide and empower women of all ages. The primary focus will be to eradicate female feticide especially in the states of Sanjana Jon began these tours in 2004 with then Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins. The tours have grown exponentially since then, evolving into an established awareness movement, with the primary focus being to eradicate female feticide especially in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Sanjana Jon started her career working with her brother, Anand Jon, in New York to create a jewelry line which was endorsed by the likes of Iman, David Bowie, and Barbara Hershey and supported AMFAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. They pushed the concept further with a men’s collection donned by Bruce Springsteen, the Backstreet Boys, Prince, Collective Soul, and Matchbox 20. The line even had support from royalty at the Cannes Film Festival including Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Sorayya, Princess Sara Al Saud, and Princess Olivia de Borbon. Their efforts eventually led to invitations to fashion weeks in both New York...