"I wasn't very fond of school and didn't take much interest in studying. So, after I completed my 10th grade, I told Ma, 'Kaamkarlunga but padhainahikarsakta!' She was furious. She asked, 'Par karogekya?' I said, 'Kaamkar kepaisekamanehai. 'To prove myself, I moved to Delhi and joined my sister's restaurant there. My job was to wash utensils, chop vegetables and help in the cooking. There, I first realized I loved cooking; I learned to cook the basics-dal, sabzi, and khichdi. But back then, a 'man in the kitchen' was looked down upon. Relatives would say, 'Ab khanabanayega?' But I didn't care, I had my family's support. I worked for almost 2 years after which a friend got me a job at a prominent hotel in Delhi; I jumped at that idea! I was so excited to be working as their kitchen assistant! In fact, that's where I met my now wife; she was working as a hairdresser at a salon. I was 19 when we got married-my wife turned out to be my biggest supporter.
We began living at the staff quarters. I'd earn Rs. 250 a month-it was a big deal for me back then. I sent all my salary to Maa. But at this new job, along with chopping and cleaning, I'd also observe the chefs preparing lavish meals; I was hungry to learn.Two years went by, and then at 21, I became a Dad to a beautiful baby girl! I wanted to give her everything-I worked harder and it paid off! A year later, I got promoted to Junior Chef. I'd constantly wait to hear guest reviews. And once when a customer said, 'I've come only to eat food prepared by Chef Penpa!' I was overjoyed!
After that, life picked up pace, the next decade was life changing-I moved to Mumbai, got promoted to head chef at Novotel, and even got to visit Hong Kong, Singapore and China for training. It was my first time on a flight and my first time in a foreign land-being there, learning new things made me feel like that 16-year-old lost boy had made his mark. I served celebrities like Jeetendra and Rakesh Roshan; they'd say, 'Kya khanabanayahai!'
Humans of Bombay, Fb
Latest News