What did you have for dinner last night?
Shorshe Bhetki – steamed, stone-ground mustard marinated fish with yoghurt and green chilli and steamed rice.
What are you reading now?
Life and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda, a biography of his by G.S. Banhatti.
What's your favourite recipe book?
I prefer to turn to Larousse Gastronomique if I have any queries related to the origin and history of any European food and how it is made. It is a dictionary by itself and is genuine and authentic.
Next vacation? What do you plan to eat there?
Bangkok with my family. I plan to try out authentic and traditional home-style Thai food with selections of seafood, poultry and vegetables in different courses of a meal.
Best meal?
I have tasted many good meals, but last week I tried an excellent South Indian non-vegetarian thali in a restaurant on OMR, Chennai, which had a spread of fried anchovies, chicken pepper masala, some home-style curries, different rice varieties and rasam.
What about the worst?
I generally don’t crib as I respect the food made by chefs. At one restaurant, however, I was upset when I found a hair in the tangri kebab and on top of that the service was very bad.
Places you eat at most often?
I love Kolkata Tangra Chinese food run by the Chinese who have settled from ages in Kolkata. They make some authentic soup, chilli chicken, chop suey, onion pancake, steamed fish and mixed fried rice.
Lessons learnt in the kitchen?
To have patience, be positive, build confidence. There are no shortcuts, just cook with your heart.
Any secret junk food confessions?
KFC and cola.
Last meal on earth: what would you choose?
A happy meal served with love and care.
