Updated On: 22 December, 2023 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide Team
Two Michelin star chef Gaggan Anand was in the country recently, and made pit stops in his home city and Mumbai. The Guide caught up with him for a quick chat

Chef Gaggan Anand in the kitchen
Tell us about the experience of returning to the city of your birth - Kolkata. How much has it influenced your cooking?
Kolkata, my hometown, is a special journey back to where my culinary adventure began. Growing up on the lively streets of Kolkata, I developed the foundation of my palate, which has significantly influenced my cooking preferences. Bengali cuisine is all about balancing sweet, sour, pungent, and spicy flavours. It revolves around earthy, light tastes, dominated by river fish, vegetables, and rice. My memories of the markets, unique ingredients, and distinct aromas continue to shape the chef I am today.
Your restaurant secured the prestigious #5 position on Asia’s 50 Best List and an impressive #17 on the World’s 50 Best List in 2023. What do such rankings mean to you?
We have become a family, and that’s the best thing that has happened.