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What's cooking?

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor does all it takes to pursue varied interests

PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

BOOKED Sanjeev Kapoor emphasises on healthy cooking

A short training in music, a tryst with salsa and jive for Jhalak Diklaja and a keen interest to learn flying. And we thought he's just a regular master chef. Sanjeev Kapoor says he hates being predictable and seizes every opportunity to face new challenges. "I like to learn something new each year. Last year I started singing, then Jhalak... came up. My wife Alyona is a good dancer while I have two left feet. Nevertheless, I gave it a try. This year I'll learn to fly," he says, talking to us while in Hyderabad to unveil his latest book, No Oil Cooking.

The book has been on the stands for a while and Kapoor has been touring the nation promoting his work. "The initial response has been good. We've already placed orders for the second print," he says with pride, adding, "Healthy cooking is catching on. Indian cuisine with negligible or no oil can taste equally good."

He's become a brand name now and says he wants to cash in on it but with meticulous planning. "It's been 13 years since I began hosting cookery shows on Zee's Khana Khazana. In all these years, I've started only eight restaurants. I don't hurry into things. I now understand books. I know what readers like and where I've gone wrong before."

This year, Sanjeev Kapoor will focus on diversifying his new ventures Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana and Chai Time. The former is a brand name under which he has launched pickles, masalas and ready-to-eat foods. The latter is a label under which flavoured teas conceptualised by him are sold. "As of now, Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana and Chai Time are available only in select cities. We'll soon go pan Indian. It took me a year to develop the right tea blends," he informs. This apart, Singapore Airlines also roped him in for an exclusive menu targeting its first class passengers. "Flight catering is a different ball game altogether and is time consuming. Since the airlines has on board a number of international celebrity chefs, I agreed."

At first reluctant to talk about his wife, he then reveals how they came together to endorse Sugar Free Natura. "In the beginning, Alyona wasn't in the picture. But then the concept changed and they wanted both of us to feature in the ad. It was fun." Sanjeev Kapoor sums up saying, "When I started off, I didn't have the slightest hint that cuisine would become a big business. I was good at studies but wanted to do something different. I chose catering. I knew I'd shine in whatever I chose."

SANGEETHA DEVI. K

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