Namita Nayyar
You have been into menu planning and have prepared exotic cuisines for the Former Hon. President of India Her Excellency Smt. Pratibha Tai Patil, cricketer Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, Mr. Rahul Dravid and several other dignitaries and eminent personalities.
Share how do you go about planning a meal for an individual?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
What I kept in mind was to serve authentic traditional recipes with a perfect balance of nutrients. They are busy with their tight work schedules where there are times that they have to skip their meals, considering that fact my menu was 101 % a balanced meal.
For Sachin Sir and Rahul Dravid Sir I considered the fact that a high protein diet menu needs to be planned and at the same time something highly creative and innovative. Energy and Protein Foods is a must in my menu for sports people. A good combination is a must. Spices need to be very mild. Inclusion of soups, salads and fruits in their diet is a must. Ensuring that the food given to them is not too heavy, lots of fluids, juices, and shakes. Healthy, wholesome foods and energy filled snacks to fuel their performance. Menu should be carbohydrate-loaded, non-fat-filled meals. A balanced diet is a must.
Namita Nayyar
Another experience we would like you to enlighten us on is, your hand in food preparations for IPL matches and T 20-20 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. How was the experience, a memorable experience you would like to share?
Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji
Memorable experience itself is meeting the God of Cricket Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, witnessing him to be so humble and a down to earth person, full of zest and zeal.