Dipna Anand

Dipna Anand, a celebrity chef, restaurateur of famous restaurant ‘Brilliant Restaurant’ and author of cook book ‘Beyond Brilliant’  is based in London, UK. She has won the much coveted British Curry Award announced by the British Prime Minister David Cameron.

With a mission to teach ‘real Indian cooking’, Dipna also lectures at The University of West London specializing in following subjects – Hospitality, Catering, Food Studies and Indian cooking. Dipna runs an Indian cookery school, carries out food demos and pop-up chef events.

I got an opportunity to interact with Dipna Anand. Here is the glimpse of discussion

Interaction with Dipna Anand

Q1. What inspires you to cook?

My Father is my role model. I look up to him for cooking. I have learnt from him how to run a restaurant successfully. He is the main chef of my restaurant.

I run my own cookery school where I teach about Indian cooking. When my students cook and smile to see that they could make a delicious dish with high nutritional value. Or when people cook from my cook book and send pictures of the final delicacy, it inspires me to reach superior heights.

Q2. How often do you try to prepare new dishes?

Dipna

Whenever I get time and my mother allows me to cook, I start with my creativity. I carry lots of demonstrations, events, cookery classes and other stuff related to cooking. I get to cook new dishes with my students at university. When at home, I get to try dishes at least once a week.

 Q3. Which all places you have travelled?

We used to close our restaurant every year during August. At thast time, our father used to take us to places like Australia, U.S., Canada, India, U.A.E., Paris, Cyprus and Africa etc.

Q4. Do you cook or try to find cooking moments when you travel?

While traveling my mind is focussed in doing stuff and trying food by other people and restaurants. It gives me inspiration. Otherwise, when I don’t cook, I feel something missing.

Q5. Which country you want to travel again and again to have its food?

India is my first choice. I love Indian food. Beyond Brilliant is a famous Indian restaurant also known as the institution at South Hall where Indian cookery classes are held. I visit India atleast thrice a year. I love street food here.

Dipna Anand with her favourite spices

Q6. How do you inspire the world to cook and eat Indian?

In United Kingdom, Indian food is very popular. One cannot have Indian food all the time at restaurants. I encourage people to cook Indian more at home by taking classes. All my classes are sold out. These classes are for three hours. All the recipes and methods are endorsed by the university. I want a myth to fade that Indian food is all about oil and ghee. Rather, it is all about the right blend of herbs and spices. The taste of Indian cooking lies in the spices and the method of cooking. It is very important to have a knack of the spice that will taste best with a vegetable or dish. For example, addition of  ajwain or carom or big cumin in red meat. All these herbs and spices not only add flavors to the dish but also have medicinal properties that are good for health.

Thank you Dipna for your time today.

Nidhi KM

Copyright Viharin.com