Taking down cooking tips from the Best Chef of India, Sanjeev Kapoor

By Janine Moodley

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with the most celebrated chef of Indian cuisine, Sanjeev Kapoor. The renowned chef flew into Durban last week for the Good Food and Wine Show. Kapoor is known for his role in the TV show Khana Khazana, which is the longest running show of its kind in Asia, it broadcasts in 120 countries and in 2010 had more than 500 million viewers. He also launched his own channel titled Food Food, three years ago. Kapoor is now an Executive Chef at a hotel in Mumbai India and is the author of several Indian cookbooks. 

JM: In one sentence, tell us who Sanjeev Kapoor is?

SK: Sanjeev Kapoor is someone who cooks for a living, that's it!

JM: You were titled the Best Chef of India by Indian government, how do you feel about holding such a title? Do you feel there is a lot of pressure and expectation with regards to that?

SK: Normally, when you work, whatever you do, you do well and welcome the accolades that come with it. Naturally, there would be some pressure with responsibility, so, it's a good thing. It motivates you to do better and better every time.

JM: Tell us about your first experience with food.

I have great memories of myself as a child, playing with roti dough. In fact, I think that's how play dough probably started (he laughs). I could not make it perfectly round as I was too young. So I would roll it and take a tea saucer, to make it the perfect shape. So, my earliest memories with food, I would say was when I was seven-years old, making roti. I think my brother and I used to play around in the kitchen. He actually was more passionate about cooking than I, but he however pursued a different career path when he grew up. But I don't put too much of effort in trying to remember. 

JM: When did you realise that cooking is a career you wanted to pursue?

When I was around 15, 16-years old I knew that cooking could be a career option for me. Back in the day, being a chef was not seen as something that intelligent people do, so I actually thought I'd study to become an architect but in the end I wanted to do something that I enjoyed.

JM: According to your website (www.sanjeevkapoor.com) you aim to empower women through the power of cooking? Tell us a little about that….

In many parts of India, women's cooking is not really celebrated, sometimes not even respected, it's something that they are expected to do. Therefore, we started a project five years ago, where Indian women are given the opportunity to earn their respect through an initiative called Wonder Chef. At Wonder Chef we actually teach women how to cook Indian dishes and sell to the community. We have also started other awareness programs to empower women. We have so far impacted the lives of almost 500 000 women.

JM: Have you been to Durban before? What are your thoughts about our country and the Indian cuisine we have on offer?

I have been here before, but very briefly many many years ago. Durban is truly a city which can be presented and showcased globally. It definitely has a lot to offer. From the beaches, and food to the integration of different cultures. Indian cuisine here is normally the bunny chows, curries and rotis which is great because we can always feel at home

JM: What is your most favourite meal to prepare and why?

Normally we don't prepare our favourite meal, we prepare a favourite meal for someone. So I would answer that question by saying that my favourite people to cook for, is my family as they are the most honest critics. 

JM: What can fans look forward to from you in 2015?

Well my Food Food channel, a 24-hour food channel will be taken to many other countries, God willing. In addition, I will be involved in the new season of Masterchef. I will also be focussing on cooking healthier Indian food, food with lots of vegatables. A great healthy Indian meal would be moon dhall tempered with onions and mustard along with seasonal vegatables and home-made yogurt, freshly baked whole wheat roti and a bit of fresh salad from your kitchen garden. A simple meal, which you don't need to complicate or think too hard about

JM: Give me three words to inspire up and coming chefs?

Love your food!

Having coffee with South African actress and radio presenter, Leleti Khumalo

By Janine Moodley

South African big name, Leleti Khumalo best known for her debut appearance in Sarafina alongside international actress Whoopi Goldberg as well as here role in television soapie, Generations as Busi Dlomo has now moved to Durban to tackle being a breakfast show radio host. Durban North News' Janine Moodley hence grabbed the opportunity to chat to her about her passions, her challenges and her life here in Durban.

JM: Tell us a little bit about who Leleti Khumalo is?

LK: Well, I born in KwaMashu here in Durban. I'm an actress for movies, television and theatre. Right now, I'm a radio presenter for Vuma fm, something totally new to me but I think it is connected to what I have been doing before and that is to entertain people. I was a bit skeptical when they approached me to be a radio presenter but I said this is a challenge and I love challenges, so let me do it. 

JM: Many people recognize you for the role you played alongside Whoopi Goldberg in Sarafina. What has been the highlight from that whole experience?

LK: Sarafina was the movie that launched my career, it was also my first movie production, I was still a baby. I first did theatre, the stage version of Sarafina. In the movie, Whoopi Goldberg was great, she kept showing me that everything is fine and to just do my thing.

JM: Tell us about working on the set of Generations, what was it like?

LK: It was a challenge again because Generations was my first small screen appearance. We were doing 10 episodes a day and we are expected to know our lines for every episode but theatre helps because when you do theatre, you have to memorize your lines so I brought that knowledge with me. I enjoyed doing the soapie, it was nice, the only setback with doing a soapy is that you have to do just that nothing else. There's a tight schedule, you're not as free as you would like. Your'e basically there from 6am to 6pm, when there is a movie I guess one would have to arrange for that to be done.

JM: What made you leave Generations and get into radio?

LK: I did not move immediately after leaving Generations, I stayed in Joburg for some time. The reason why I left the set of Generations was because I had a rule to kiss only one person which put the producers and the writers in a corner as they do not know what to write for you. So it came to a point where writers could not accommodate me, that is when I left. The was a project started by the KZN Premier early last year which was what made me come to Durban initially.

JM: How is working on radio different from television?

LK: Its something very new to me as I'm only in radio for the past three months. It's something I did not imagine at all but is very beautiful I must say. First of all, we talk to people that do not see us but the response we get is amazing. I look forward to waking up in the morning, to interact with people I don't know.

JM: Have you ever messed up on air, if so how have you recovered from it?

LK: You know, messing up on radio is always turned into a joke by my co-host. If there is a mishap on radio, we just got to deal with it and move on. 

JM: Which do you prefer more, Jozi or Durban?

LK: I was born here, this is my city, I will always prefer Durban. For me I just cannot compare the two, Johannesburg is too fast, if you want to work, you can work in Joburg but with regards to raising a family, this is the right place to be. Durban is laid back, people are so friendly, you are raised with respect here.

JM: What do you miss about the city that never sleeps?

LK: I have not totally moved from Joburg so there's nothing specific that I miss at the moment. 

JM: Words of wisdom that gets you through the day?

LK: "Life is a journey, you will discover yourself every day" 

DNN: Words of wisdom you would give to those that want to venture into the world of television or radio?

LK: Fulfill your dreams and have a passion for whatever you want to pursue. You cannot jump into something and expect it to work. Like I said to you before, I've entertained people before and I'm doing the same thing here. So pursue your dreams and do it to your fullest.