New Delhi: Sanjeev Kapoor, an Indian celebrity chef known for his hit program ‘Khana Khazana’, has talked about the unforgettable experience of cooking for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Abu Dhabi. He recalled the event during a conversation with Mashable India, describing it as an “absolute honour and privilege,” highlighting Modi’s willingness to try new things and his appreciation for traditional Indian cuisine.
The Prime Minister was given a combination of regional Middle Eastern delicacies and Sanjeev Kapoor’s hallmark dishes. Kapoor recounted that Modi had once told him, “Sab unhone try kiya, saying kisi jagha ka culture pata karna ho toh khana se pata chalta hai,” exemplifying Modi’s view that one can learn about a region’s culture via its cuisine. The chef made the observation, “There’s a lot of simplicity in his eating,” while also praising his reverence for food.
He recalled, “So, basically, there’s a lot of simplicity in his eating. But at the same time, he has a lot of respect for food. I remember this one dish called ful medames. Right? So I was serving it to him, and I said, ‘Sir, here they make it like this… they add chopped onions, tomatoes, and all.’ And he said, ‘Oh, this is like our bhaji pav!”
PM Modi’s Simple Palate
Sanjeev Kapoor also shared insights into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s humble and grounded approach to food. He said, “He eats khichdi, he eats parathas, he eats thepla—he eats everything. He is not fussy at all. It’s not like, ‘Oh no, if I don’t get this, my day is ruined.’ Very, very easy-going with food, from what I’ve seen. And he also truly believes in simplicity—which is beautiful.”
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