Reetu Uday Kugaji wears many hats. Apart from being a reputed chef and mentor, she is a leading food expert and author as well as a hospitality and food consultant. FoodService India spoke to her about the unfolding food scenario in India, foodservice trends for the future and about her stellar culinary journey and achievements so far. “As a chef and a teacher, I am passionate about exploring new places and learning about local cuisines. I love tasting and knowing about different types of cuisines. I am driven by an insatiable curiosity for discovering new foods and love pairing flavors, foods and ideas from different parts of the world. It feels great to share my knowledge and skills with everyone,” says Reetu Uday Kugaji, who is as passionate about her role as a culinary mentor as she is about confecting gastronomic delights.
How did you come into the culinary profession and who were the people to have shaped your career?
All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. I remember when almost all my relatives were strictly against my joining Hotel Management. The only ones to stand up for me like pillars were my parents. The myth those days was that this profession is just not apt for girls. I owe all my success to God almighty and to my mother and dad. They supported me in my choice of this profession, right from day one. In turn, I made sure to make them proud by winning the certificate of merit from my institution, which kick-started my journey in the world of foods. I am also blessed to have a husband who has supported, encouraged and motivated me in my growth and success.
What are you currently engaged in and which are the career milestones you most cherish?
Currently, I am working as a specialty chef with companies such as Chef Sutra, Percept Knorigin, Cine Curry and Oxygen Infotainment. As a food author, I write articles on food for various online and offline publications. I contribute regularly for online chef and food magazines like Pioneer Chef and Urban Spice, for blogging site Pinksworth and Tanya Munshi’s lifestyle portal. Also, I am into writing recipes to suit both domestic and international palates. I work as a hospitality and food consultant, specialty chef and food author at Platter Share besides being a member of Western India Culinary Association (WICA). I have my own website www.chefreetuudaykugaji.com and my Facebook page ‘Food For Thought by Chef Mrs Reetu Uday Kugaji’, www.facebook.com/chefreetuudaykugaji/
This story is from the September - October 2017 edition of foodService India.
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This story is from the September - October 2017 edition of foodService India.
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