Sanjeev Kapoor recently opened his second Signature restaurant in the UAE at Abu Dhabi’s Nation Towers — that’s in addition to four Dubai restaurants — is prepping for his upcoming cooking reality show, Foodshala, and is taking part this weekend in the Dubai Food Carnival. The workaholic chef must have a way of turning down the heat every now and then — right? Yes — and it’s something most people don’t know. We caught up with the busy chef ahead of his appearance at the Carnival (8.30-9pm at the Chef’s Dome on February 12; 3.30-4pm on February 13; 2-2.30pm on February 14).
Q. Tell us what you will be doing at Dubai Food Festival?
A. The Dubai Food Festival is about celebrating food. Food in all its glory. Food in different avatars. Food of the future. For me food is life, a passion. I will be indulging in this passion and interacting with people on the same. I have planned a few interactive sessions where I will be doing live cooking demonstrations — what better way to connect?
Q. Which dishes will you be preparing, and why those?
A. I will not reveal the names of all the dishes lest it spoil the surprise, but let me tell you, the dishes will have all the hallmarks of my cooking: Health, taste and innovation.
Q. What are the most frequent queries that fans have for you? What about what you are not asked — what should fans know?
A. I’ve been in this field for over two decades; trust me there is no question that has not been asked. Right from how I got into this field, to questions about my family to who cooks at home, which is incidentally the most frequently asked question! What my fans might not know about me is that I am an avid drummer, have been one since college, and I sing as well. It’s how I unwind and I shall let you in on a secret, I have a set of drums in my office too and play whenever the mood strikes!
