Flash-grilled: Jiwan Lal
What was your first industry job?
Commis chef.
If you weren’t in kitchens, what would you do?
Would serve in the Indian Army.
What industry figure do you most admire, and why?
Rajeev Singh Gulshan because he has been a team motivator and a good team leader.
What’s your pet hate in the kitchen?
I do not like to work with people who are not passionate about cooking.
What’s the oddest thing a customer has said to you?
When I was asked by a customer to prepare butter chicken without butter.
Sum up your cooking style in a single sentence…
Home style cooking with a bit of a modern twist.
What’s the worst review you’ve ever had?
Truly speaking so far I have never experienced that.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?
I would advise them to be hardworking, focused and dedicated to what they are doing.
Which single item of kitchen equipment could you not live without?
My mixer grinder as I love to use my own homemade blended spices, sauces and purees.
What would you choose to eat for your last meal?
I love beetroot so anything with beetroot in it.
À la carte or tasting menu?
Tasting menu.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had in a restaurant?
Beetroot halwa.
What’s your favourite fast food joint?
Nandos.
What’s the dish you wish you’d thought of?
Crab dhokla, it was a big hit for our 37 State menu from the Gujrat region.
MasterChef or Great British Menu?
Great British Menu.
What’s the most overrated food?
I think micro scura leaves and flowers as it looks beautiful on the food visually. However, it doesn’t add any taste to the food.
You’re restaurant dictator for a day – what would you ban?
I would ban people from going out for a cigarette break while having their meal in the restaurant.
Who would your dream dinner party guests be?
Rishi Sunak.
What’s your earliest food memory?
I remember cooking a Himachali dish Babru with my mum.
Twitter or Instagram?
Instagram.
What’s the closest you’ve ever come to death?
When I had Covid-19.
Where do you go when you want to let your hair down?
With my family on holidays.
What’s your tipple of choice?
Classic mojito.
What’s your favourite food and drink pairing?
Cumin chocolate fondant with dessert wine.
What do you consider to be your signature dish?
Steamed shoulder of lamb with beetroot rice.
