Some food for thought at this event!

Ek Khaas Mulaqat, a conversation among the people who gave Lucknow’s food and cuisine a remarkable place in the world, was held at Salempur House recently. The event, which was part of an annual festival held by

Madhavi Kuckreja

, had

Haji Zuber

from Raheem’s, Ashish Tripathi from Raja Thandai, Hari Dayal Maurya from Royal Cafe, and Abu Baqr from Idrees Briyani attending it. In conversation with

Sabika Abbas

and Askari Naqvi, the chefs talked about Lakhnawi cuisine and the delicacies the city is renowned for the world over.

(L) Davya Wadhawan and

Samiya Ahmad

(R) Mohd Adnan

(L) Iqra Khan and Insha Fatima (R)

Shreya Yadav

The four renowned chefs shared anecdotes and how their dishes have made them a house-hold name. Hari Dayal Maurya, the famous Chacha from Royal Cafe, shared the story of the basket chaat and how it started. “I wanted to be a nawab of Lucknow when I started but ended up being a world famous chaat wala.” he said.

(L)

Suryansh Tripathi

(R) Vidhi Gupta

(L) Waqar Khan (R) Ambika Nimbalkar

Sabika Abbas shared how at Idrees Biryani there used to be a board which had “Man Pasand Ki Boti Nahi Milegi, Jo Hogi Wahi Milegi' written on it. Haji Zubair meanwhile, commented on how food has brought communities and people together in and out of Lucknow together since centuries. “Iss shehar mein kabhi nafrat nahi panap payi hai, kyunki yahan ke khane ne sab ko saath bandh ke rakha hai.”

(L) Arshi Qureshi (R) Ayeesha Siddiqui and Subiya Ahmad