Pankaj Bhadouria “Cooking is not just a job”

Pankaj Bhadouria is the winner of Master Chef India Season 1(2010). She was a school teacher who quit a 16 year old job to participate in the first season of Master Chef India and has also hosted the TV Shows Chef Pankaj Ka Zaykaa (Star Plus). Kifayati Kitchen (Zee Khanaa Khazana) 3 course with Pankaj (Zee Khana Khazana). Rasoi- Se Pankaj Bhadouria Ke Saath (ETV) and Sales Ka Baazigar (ETV). She was the first Master Chef Worldwide to have a original Master Chef Cook Bok in her name and has two more cookery books Barbie- I am a Chef and Chicken From My Kitchen. She started her career in 1994 at City Montessori School, Lucknow, teaching English to High School Students. From 1996 she was promoted to teaching English to the Senior Secondary Classes. She went on to teach till she was forced to quit her job in 2010 to participate in Master Chef India Season 1. SANDEEP HATTANGADI spoke to the pleasant natured lady about her life and times as a chef in an extensive e-mail chat.

How did your culinary journey begin?
It began as a little girl sitting on the kitchen slab watching her mother cook to taking on cooking station myself at age of 11 and has been a journey by itself. I have been cooking ever since- from failed experiments to gourmet delights, it’s been a long journey.

You have written books, hosted shows, how was the experience like?
So far, I have been a part of 8 television shows and also authored 5 books. I was a teacher for 16 years before I won Master Chef. So teaching comes very naturally to me. To me, my shows have just been an extension of class. Instead of teaching a class of 40, now I look into the camera and teach 40 million! The books come out of an urge to share some research that I do or some interesting recipes that I like to bring together. The first book –The Master Chef Cookbook was the only official book by any Master Chef winner worldwide! The second was commissioned as a part of Barbie –I am a Chef kit. The third book- Chicken from my Kitchen- the Indian Way ( Bloomsbury Publication) was a collection of 54 recipes only on chicken from all parts of the country. My fourth book was one that I co- authored- Uttar Pradesh, commissioned by UP Govt. My latest book, The Secret’s in the Spice Mix ( Penguin Publications) celebrates the essence of Indian cooking- the Spice Mixes or Masalas that we use in cooking and there is a spice mix and a recipe to go along for 50 different masalas!

Your new TV Show is on air on Living Foodz. Tell us something about that.
Your Dream Kitchen is a novel concept wherein I don’t just share recipes with my viewers but also interesting tarkeebs (Tips & Kitchen Hacks), Innovative recipes and a dream twist in every Episode. I am very excited about the show and hope the audience enjoys it as much as they have enjoyed my previous shows on Living Foodz!

How has your experience been as a food entrepreneur?
I would call it a learning experience where I am still learning! I have been running my Culinary Academy- Pankaj Bhadouria Culinary Academy for the past 5 years in Lucknow. The Café by Default, my Signature Café is ready for launch and so is Tamaara- my fine dine restaurant!

You also endorse brands.
My passion for cooking has made me a personality of choice for many a brand. Amway India has chosen me as their Brand Ambassador for their popular product Nutrilite as acknowledgment of my passion for healthy cooking. I also launched a DVD for Amway sharing exciting recipes using the Nutrilite protein powder. I also judged the national level cookery competition organized by Amway; traveling across the country to pick the winners. My recipes also feature in a special recipe book for Amway Nutrilite. I am also endorsing Eastern Masalas, India’s biggest spice manufacturer and exporter. I have done a print campaign for the Hindustan Unilever Limited has chosen me as the face of their “Hunar Aapka, Pahchan Hamari” campaign, an HUL initiative for Taaza Tea promoting talent in women across small towns of UP.I traveled across 10 small towns in UP helping women recognize their potential and judging and awarding them for their efforts.

Which are your favorite cuisines and dishes?
I just love eating! Right from Khichdi to a gourmet meal, Indian to Chinese to Continental – good food from any cuisine makes me salivate! But for sure, Indian and Chinese appeal the most and the Continental desserts including cakes and all bakery products make me go week in knees!

What is your advice for budding chefs?
Don’t cook just to do a job. If it inspires you and if it excites you, only then should you choose this profession. Love it for what it is- lots of hard work, creativity and satisfaction at the end of the day, the joy of having made so many people happy with your food!!