KHATIBAH REHMAT: Who were you before being a chef? (Starting from your name, birthplace, education and rewards you have received in your culinary career).
CHEF POONAM DEDHIA: I’m Chef Poonam Dedhia, a celebrated celebrity chef known for Kutchi, Gujarati and Kathiyawadi cuisines. Before I move forward with my culinary journey, I would like to share that my native place is Kutch, Gujarat whereas, I was brought up in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This city gave me a lot of love and helped in diversifying my flavours to the country hood. After completing my schooling, later did my higher studies in M.A. Counseling Psychology from Matunga. I’ve been driving my passion for business since 2012 immediately after completion of my post-graduation. From being on TV shows to conducting mass-scale events, the journey was a great one.
In the year 2016, I was invited to Ahmedabad for one of the largest cooking events of 1000 pax and the same had got coverage by many regional newspapers and media houses. Being an alumni I also conducted guest lectures at my college for aspiring food entrepreneurs. Well, moving towards my culinary journey from the very beginning I mainly work on the lost and traditional recipes of Gujarat. I believe that my creativity or my culinary skills, has become a delightful experience only through my authentic Gujarati flavours. My passion for the flavours of Gujarat was driven by my beloved late mother’s guidance and expertise in preparing traditional dishes. The love and respect that I am getting today are all because of her only who taught me to showcase the best of Gujarat to the world front!
KHATIBAH REHMAT: How do you feel being in this world of food industry? (Describing all about your personality, passion and hobbies).
CHEF POONAM DEDHIA: The achievements that I’ve got today and the love I get from my guests make me believe in hard and continuous learning. Cooking is not just preparing food for me, it is a therapy that makes me healthy, fit and fine. No matter if I was born in the modern era today, believe me, I’m still a fan of good old melodious songs rather than modern music. Not just this, I love reading books and articles as well. Since the year 2012, I’ve been successfully doing wedding events, proposed lunches, Gujarati food festivals in properties like Raddison Mumbai, ITC Maratha-Responsible Luxury Collection Hotel, Hilton Jaipur, The Conclave By Ambuja Neotia Group Kolkata.
KHATIBAH REHMAT: For which cuisine you are known? Name that particular dish.
CHEF POONAM DEDHIA: My journey is a tale of passion, determination and a relentless pursuit of my dream which is to bring out the lost recipes from Gujarat. Aromatic spices, vibrant colours and exquisite dishes define the heart of Gujarati cuisines. For eg: Kutchi Khaari Bhat with Vaghareli Dahi is a flavourful main course dish that combines spices and a specific variety of rice. It is enjoyed with a side-tempered dahi to balance spicy flavours.
INTERVIEWED AND PICTURE COURTESY:
CHEF POONAM DEDHIA.
INTERVIEW TAKEN BY: KHATIBAH REHMAT.
