Renowned culinarian and celebrity chef Ajay Chopra began his career with Cecil Oberoi in Shimla. Over the course of 20 years, Chef Chopra has worn various hats across segments like heading the culinary department in hotels and restaurants, to hosting TV cook shows, to being a restaurant and food consultant and of late also building his own personal brand in the digital space. Steena Joy speaks to Chef Chopra to learn more about his 20-year journey in the industry
How has the journey been for you in the culinary industry?
I can only say that it has been rewarding because 20 years, when I look back it’s a long time but each year has been very different, very rewarding. There is a song that I sing in the church, “Step by step we are moving forward, little by little taking ground”, and I think that’s what has happened in the whole industry as well as my career. The food industry is growing immensely. So, from the times where we were sitting in offices as executive chefs, or even going back to cooking in the kitchens of various hotels, life was very, very demanding. It’s not any less demanding now, but it is just that now it is a very different kind of thought process that we apply. Building restaurants that is what I really do, while also doing events, television and a whole lot of other stuff. The journey has been very rewarding, I can’t complain.
Who has been your inspiration?
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