Op Sindoor planner tied to choosing terror targets in Pakistan: Who is Ram Temple CEO Jeetendra Mishra?Jeetendra Mishra accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Adampur air base in Punjab after Operation Sindoor. Updated on: Sep 3, 2026, 08:00:02 IST By Rahul Singh
Banks’ 'Certificate of Deposits' rates dip as FCNR flows hit $127 billionThe RBI’s scheme for attracting foreign currency deposits from NRIs has boosted banking-system liquidity, reducing banks’ need to raise funds through CD's. Updated on: Sep 3, 2026
Controversy is swirling around Rachel Cusk's new novel and its movie-star protagonist named "M". Why the fuss – and could the character be based on Natalie Portman? From Truman Capote mining the secrets of his high society friends for his writing to The Devil Wears Prada's Miranda Priestly
Did Travis Kelce’s ex Kayla Nicole really ‘expose’ him? Viral cheating and $5M claims debunkedThe viral Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce claims raise questions about cheating, $5 million, and what Nicole actually said. Published on: Sep 3, 2026
For almost two decades, Lady Victoria Beckham has been trying to prove that she is more than simply Posh Spice. Now, her fashion and beauty business has reached a milestone many doubted it would achieve: profitability. Victoria Beckham Holdings announced an operating profit of £7
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor On Family
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor On Family, Failure, Food And The Untold Story Of India's 500 Cuisines
Long before he became the face of Indian cooking on television, before Khana Khazana entered millions of homes, and before he emerged as one of the country’s most influential culinary voices, Sanjeev Kapoor was simply a child growing up in a household where food mattered.
Not in the aspirational, gourmet sense we often associate with contemporary food culture, but in a far more fundamental way.
“Food was always very important in our home," Kapoor tells me. “Not just what was cooked, but where it was bought from and at what price."
In his childhood home, quality was never negotiable. There may not have been luxuries, he recalls not even having a tape recorder, but good food was considered essential.
“Khane mein kanjoosi nahi karni chahiye," his parents believed. You could save money elsewhere, but never on what you ate.
Looking back, Kapoor sees those early lessons as the foundation of everything that followed. It was where he first learned the value of seasonality, understanding that the best ingredients were often those available at the right time of year. It was also where he learned something equally important: respect.
There was no culture of demanding alternatives or refusing meals.
“Whatever was cooked was appreciated and eaten," he says.
That mindset would later shape his approach as a chef. Every ingredient, he believes, has value. The skill lies in understanding its strengths—and sometimes even turning perceived weaknesses into advantages.
Perhaps just as significant was the fact that cooking wasn’t solely his mother’s domain.
“My father cooked too," Kapoor says.
At a time when men in Indian kitchens were far less common, watching both parents cook made the idea feel entirely natural. Years later, when he chose professional cooking as a career, it never felt unconventional or unusual.
The Accidental Television Star
It’s difficult to imagine Indian food television without Khana Khazana. The show ran for more than 17 years, becoming the longest-running cookery programme in Asia and transforming Kapoor into a household name. Yet television, he insists, was never part of the plan.
“Khana Khazana was not something that was planned. It was never a career choice."
What began almost accidentally evolved into something much larger than entertainment.
As the show’s popularity grew, Kapoor began noticing subtle but meaningful shifts inside Indian homes. Cooking was being discussed differently. Home-cooked meals were receiving greater attention. More people were entering kitchens not out of obligation but out of interest.
Then came a conversation with his father that would fundamentally change the way he viewed his work.
“He told me, ‘This is real emancipation of Indian women.'"
Kapoor pauses while recalling the memory.
For generations, women had often carried the responsibility of feeding families without receiving recognition for the skill, creativity and labour involved. Through television, something unexpected was happening: home cooks were being celebrated.
Women were receiving appreciation, praise and validation for their culinary abilities.
His father’s interpretation surprised him.
“People may not understand it," his father told him, “but what you’re doing is emancipation of Indian women in a real sense." The observation stayed with Kapoor.
Decades later, it remains one of the most meaningful compliments he has ever received.
The Untold Story Of Indian Cuisine
Ask Kapoor which Indian cuisine deserves more attention and he resists naming just one.
That’s because, in his view, the problem isn’t that a few cuisines are overlooked, it’s that most of India remains undiscovered.
“We’re probably talking about over 500 cuisines that are worthy of becoming global powers," he says.
While dishes such as idli and dosa have crossed regional boundaries, countless culinary traditions remain confined to small geographies.
Even within individual states, there is surprisingly little awareness of regional diversity. The cuisine of coastal Maharashtra, for instance, remains relatively unknown even within Maharashtra itself. The same is true for large parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and much of the Northeast.
What fascinates Kapoor is that India still hasn’t fully explored its own culinary map.
“Pehle toh apne ghar mein hi nahi pata hai logon ko," he says with a laugh. Before taking Indian food to the world, Indians themselves need to discover the richness that already exists within their own borders.
For him, the future of Indian cuisine lies not in a handful of globally recognised dishes but in bringing hundreds of local food traditions into the spotlight.
Learning To Survive The Dark Days
Today, Kapoor’s success can make his journey appear inevitable. It wasn’t. The early years were gruelling.
Professional kitchens demanded long hours, physical stamina and relentless discipline. Beyond the heat and pressure of service, there was the simple reality of hard labour, lifting heavy equipment, moving trolleys and spending entire days on his feet.
After years of culinary education and training, he found himself routinely working 12 to 14-hour shifts, often without a weekly day off.
The rewards, at least initially, seemed modest compared to the effort.
“My family would ask why I was spending so much time in a career that was so demanding."
There were moments when doubt surfaced.
But Kapoor couldn’t bring himself to walk away. He had already invested years into learning the craft. Starting over elsewhere felt more difficult than pushing forward.
Instead of retreating, he doubled down.
“When the going gets tough, you start to become tougher."
The experience taught him a lesson that extends well beyond kitchens.
Success rarely arrives before struggle. More often, resilience is built in the period when results are nowhere in sight.
Looking back now, those difficult years no longer seem quite so difficult.
That’s the strange thing about hardship, Kapoor suggests. Once you’ve survived it, it becomes part of your strength.
“Put in that extra effort, even during the dark days and nights," he says. “Because once you’ve gone through them, you realise that this too shall pass."
More Than A Chef
After speaking with Kapoor, what lingers isn’t a recipe or cooking technique.
It’s his belief that food is ultimately about something larger.
It’s about respect, for ingredients, for the people who cook, and for traditions passed quietly from one generation to the next.
It’s about recognising the extraordinary diversity of India’s culinary landscape.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s about understanding that some of life’s most important lessons aren’t learned in professional kitchens at all.
They’re learned at home, around the dining table, long before anyone knows what their future will be.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Ekta Kapoor announces Naagin franchise to move beyond television Film and Television Institute of India to re-conduct entrance exam Indian migrant workers hit by cooking gas shortages are leaving cities The Hidden Truth About Cooking Oils And Everyday Health Delhi govt to provide free cooking gas cylinders to these women on Holi A Simple Guide To Picking The Best Cooking Oil For Your Kitchen Shopping For Cooking Oil 6 Cooking Mistakes That Turn Your Healthy Paneer Less Nutritious Nutritionist reveals 9 cooking oils to help manage cholesterol levels Govt asks domestic cooking gas consumers to get e-KYC done through Aadhaar
On August 26, Samar Bezbaruah was preparing for a regular day. He had left his home in Assam’s Nalbari district seven months earlier to work in Nepal’s 216-MW Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project. That morning, he walked into the project’s tunnel with a group of 20 others to begin the day’s
1 days ago
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright denied claims of stealing Venezuelan oil. He stated private companies bring money and technology to develop resources. Wright emphasized fixing Venezuela's electricity sector is crucial for oil production. President Trump called the oil pact the world's biggest deal
1 days ago
Spotify will not ban AI-generated music but will focus on preventing impersonation. The company introduced AI Credits for artists to disclose AI usage in songs. New AI Persona badges will identify profiles that appear to be AI-generated. This approach aims to inform listeners and protect genuine
1 days ago
Shriya Pilgaonkar says Guilty Minds Season 2 cancellation ‘broke my heart’: ‘Rare to get a part like that’ | InterviewDuring the promotions of Haiwaan, the actor told Hindustan Times that the show remains closest to her heart even if season 2 was not comissioned by Prime Video
1 days ago
Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a bill amending the state university recruitment system. The government aims for transparent and merit-based appointments in universities. Opposition legislators and university teachers protested the proposed changes to recruitment powers
1 days ago
Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, in an interview to India Today on Tuesday defended the Union government’s change in the methodology for calculating the gross domestic product amid Opposition’s allegations of data manipulation.Sanjeev Sanyal
1 days ago
Donald Trump's portrait has made its way on to a US coin - the first time a living president has appeared on American currency in a century. The US Mint launched the commemorative $1 coin with a portrait of Trump alongside the words "In God we trust", to celebrate America's 250th anniversary
1 days ago
Uber layoffs: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to cut 10% of staff to simplify business. Read full memoUber is cutting 10% of its global workforce to flatten organisational layers, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a memo. Updated on: Sep 3, 2026, 07:08:17 IST By Trisha Sengupta Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Google Pixel 10a covers: 4 official options on Flipkart if you want style and protectionJust bought the Google Pixel 10a? These four official Google cases on Flipkart offer different
1 days ago
A little bit of hunger is good for you," says Serge Pizzorno. "Keeps you going. The Kasabian frontman is describing a typical day in his home recording studio. Snacks and phones are banned, but he might screen a film in the background (typically something by David Lynch) while he tinkers with his
2 days ago
Three killed in separate wall collapse incidents in Odisha amid heavy rainfallOdisha recorded 1,154.3 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 31 against its normal seasonal rainfall of 1,150.2 mm Updated on: Sep 2, 2026, 07:49:44 IST By Debabrata Mohanty Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
2 days ago
If you’re depositing your PF with a company, this is important. This is big news for the millions of members of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). The central government is making major changes to the EPFO’s digital system, and under EPFO 3.0
2 days ago
Commercial LPG Cylinder Price Hike September 1: The revised prices, effective from September 1, and are expected to raise the operating costs for businesses such as hotels, restaurants and cloud kitchens that rely on LPG for their day-to-day activities
2 days ago
GoPro sold for $285 million: Starman Optical to take 90% stake in camera makerGoPro is being bought by Starman Optical for $285 million as the action-camera maker faces debt, rising memory chip prices and tough Chinese competition. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
2 days ago
Vaishnavi Patil, 26, was supposed to share the stage with Rahul Gandhi at a Congress party event for women in Pune last month. She could not address the crowd because of time constraints but was far from disappointed. “This was the first event where a political party head was talking about
2 days ago
3-day national youth athletics meet kicks off at Guru Nanak Stadium in LudhianaBeing held from September 1 to 3 under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and organised by the Punjab Athletics Association, the opening day witnessed competition for national honours across various
2 days ago
Aug 31 (Reuters) - Anthropic said on Monday it resumed external cybersecurity testing of AI models after deploying new safeguards, following incidents last month in which Claude models accessed the internet and hacked into other systems during security evaluations
2 days ago
ICTS 2026: Centre says Delhi set to get comprehensive road-grid plan within 3-4 monthsThe Capital is set to get a comprehensive road-grid plan within months as the Centre moves to implement the city’s new master plan, a senior Union housing and urban affairs ministry official said on Tuesday
2 days ago
The John Ternus era: How Apple is redefining design beyond the Jony Ive yearsJohn Ternus has evolved the approach from the Jony Ive era on three key characteristics. Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 21:11:24 IST By Vishal Mathur Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Before John Ternus
2 days ago
Fact check: Is Dollywood closing permanently after a fire? Could Disney buy the park for $200 billion?Rumors that Dollywood burned down and is permanently closing are false. The park remains open. While, Disney takeover claims are also untrue. Published on: Sep 2, 2026
2 days ago
HONG KONG, Sept 2 (Reuters) - While Nvidia is synonymous with the AI boom, a lesser-known group of power and cooling equipment suppliers is cashing in on a global data centre construction spree as developers race to avoid infrastructure bottlenecks
2 days ago
September has begun, bringing a fresh set of money-related changes and important financial dates for taxpayers, investors and households. While the August 31 deadlines for certain ITR filers and LPG e-KYC have now passed, September has several dates to watch
2 days ago
As India moves from AI experimentation to real-world application, the ET AI Awards 2027 recognise organisations, teams and leaders driving AI innovation, business transformation and measurable impact. Across AI startups, SMEs and enterprises, the awards spotlight excellence in AI products
2 days ago
From September 1, international passengers departing from India will no longer be required to get their boarding passes stamped at immigration counters. The Bureau of Immigration has introduced the change to simplify the departure process and make immigration clearance faster and more convenient
2 days ago
Erin Piacenti’s killer posted about ‘stabbing others for no reason’ months before attackMonths before killing Bank of America VP Erin Piacenti, Pamela Cisneros shared a series of posts where she rambled about religion, the meaning of life and more Updated on: Sep 2, 2026
2 days ago
Premier League clubs have broken their all-time summer transfer record after spending reached £3.46bn. English top flight clubs had already pushed well beyond the £3bn barrier when Iliman Ndiaye's move from Everton to Manchester City on deadline day for an initial £60m took the amount spent past
2 days ago
Ariana Grande made an emotional exit on Tuesday night, as she wrapped up her Eternal Sunshine tour, and prepared to step back from public life. The singer was occasionally close to tears - most notably during One Last Time, the song that took on extra meaning as an anthem for survivors of the 2017
2 days ago
