Tadka of success
The Story of Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi Straight From His Plate
Koyal Das
AIS Gurugram 43, Alumna
“Namak shamak namak shamak daal dete hai!” Did you sing it in your mind? And that too in a specific voice? Then you already are familiar with the charm of Harpal Singh Sokhi. An excellent chef, a popular culinary TV show host (for Turban Tadka), and the owner of the successful restaurant Karigari, Chef Sokhi has redefined the world of hospitality. With awards like Celebrity Chef 2022 by FoodFoodTV, Chef of the Year 2012 by Golden Star Awards, Iconic Achieves Award 2018 etc., his tadka is hatke from all others, and in an exclusive session, we were able to find out why.
The fire of initiation
My career as a chef did not initiate out of choice, but out of necessity. Since I was brought up in a small town, my dreams were limited to either engineering or medicine. I was preparing to crack JEE after Class XII, but I still needed an employable course to support my family in the meantime. Inspired by a neighbour of mine, I applied at the Institute of Hotel Management with the goal of being a waiter at least, but within three months, I realised that I wanted to be a chef.
Oiling up for troubles
The journey of establishing myself as a chef was a hard one. I didn’t have the internet to help me; I had to learn it all from my ustaads. I tried my best to win them over so that they could teach me all the finer details. I loved receiving feedback, and as I interacted with people, I mastered the skill slowly and became a people’s person. Even after all this, it wasn’t easy being a TV chef. I hadn’t even done any dramas or plays in school, and I was always shy. It was a challenge, but I knew I wanted to make the art of cooking – something thought to be so serious – jovial and entertaining.
The blanch of pressure
When people are enjoying good food, we are the ones working hard behind the scenes, but a lot of people do not appreciate it. Most of the time, people are rude and lack understanding, but they need to understand that just because you pay for dining doesn’t give you the right to be blatant and unappreciative to the staff. In such situations, I try to remain calm and jovial.
Julienning the talents
A chef must handle multiple things at the same time – an artist, innovator, researcher, host, manager, leader, and whatever else the job might require. As a chef, you must be a passionate person and feel everything around you. As you move up, you also start working on macro things and the fabric of operations change. You look at creating a healthier environment for your team and look at the reactions of the people who consume your food.
The broth of advice
I think it is important for all young minds to ensure that they are focused on what they want to do. There is too much distraction out there, so do not get carried away by things that offer overnight success and quick hacks. Instead, aim to have a strong foundation as that is going to help you build a strong castle to fortify your dreams without hurting expectations of your dear one’s.
A deadly marine chase
Synopsis: Set in a contemporary timeline, the book follows the protagonist Ana Dakkar who is a student at Harding-Pencroft Academy which produces some of the world’s best naval officers, marine scientists and ocean explorers. As she turns 15, during the course of the novel, she sets forth on a journey to find the truth behind her parents’ death. In her race against deadly enemies, we find Ana making amazing friends, and astounding discoveries about her heritage where her own leadership skills are put to the test against their rival school Land Institute. The enemy attacks the Academy, and kills almost everyone there, under the leadership of her treacherous half brother in a desperate chase for the legendary submarine ‘Nautilus’. Her friends and fellow Academy mates support her with logical solutions while Ana leads from the front.
Why is it worth reading: The book incorporates the tropes of sibling rivalry, and the recovery of lost ancient technologies in a unique yet relatable way. For example, Nemo’s Nautilus under the control of his descendants – is described as having artificial intelligence and being capable of travel via super-cavitation. The book reminds us that there is good in everyone. Despite the tragedies Ana experiences, she sees a bright future ahead of her. We also learn that when incredible technological advancements are in the right hands, there’s no telling what a person might be able to do. The positive ending of the book and Ana’s sense of ethics throughout her journey focused towards building a safe future, makes the book a heart warming, and inspirational read. In a complicated world full of morally gray people, meeting someone like Ana Dakkar and her congenially responsible friends is like a breath of fresh air.
Iconic Quote: “Sometimes, the greatest adventure lie just beyond the horizon.”
Rating: 4.7/5
Reviewed by: Manya Aggarwal AIS Vasundhara 6, XI A