Pune: One of India’s most renowned chefs worldwide Atul Kocchar celebrated 30 years of his culinary journey and curated a special five-course dinner in the city on June 7 and 8. It was hosted at Conrad Pune as part of the Swiggy Dineout Culinary Sessions. Kocchar grew up in Jamshedpur and honed his skills in New Delhi and Chennai.
He found success in the UK , where he opened several restaurants, appeared on TV shows and earned two Michelin stars since 1994. The choice of menu in the city showcased dishes that defined Kocchar’s culinary identity and his mission to promote cuisines of India. “I present various cuisines of India, different from the standard Indian fare known abroad,” he said.
The dinner began with nashta (snacks) featuring Kunafa pattice, wild mushroom tart and candied beetroot cake. The chef’s signature tikka pies, served in chicken and soya varieties with wild berry chutney and raspberry dust, added a touch of sophistication. The main course included lamb jugalbandi — a dish with roasted lamb chops, juniper-spiced crumbled lamb loin and potli keema samosas with rogan josh sauce.
A simple dessert of rose-flavoured pistachio with olive oil, potenta cake and cardamom-scented crème fraîche concluded the meal. Kocchar said the realisation that his knowledge of regional Indian cuisines was limited prompted him to embark on a country-wide tour five years ago. “I travelled through the north east in what turned out to be an eye-opening experience.
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