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Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Chef Saransh Goila on his journey, serving butter chicken to David Beckham, and dreams of cooking for Shah Rukh Khan
Popularly known as the butter chicken chef, Saransh Goila is a name synonymous with reinvention, resilience and smoky, flavour-packed food. But the founder of the wildly popular Goila Butter Chicken chain confesses that the dish that made him famous wasn't even his favourite. 'It was born out of demand, not personal preference,' he said. Now, the chef is making global headlines again as his brand becomes the first Indian food label to launch at an English Premier League club. In an exclusive conversation with Goila talks about cooking for David Beckham, dreaming of feeding Shah Rukh Khan, the early days of self-doubt, and the time he accidentally salted his phirni instead of sweetening it. Read the edited excerpts below: Saransh Goila: My love for food began at 12, inspired by my grandfather, a passionate hobby cook. I fondly remember watching cooking shows like Khana Khazana with my grandparents and meticulously writing down recipes. That early exposure to food and the joy of cooking really sparked my culinary journey. Saransh Goila: I was 12 when I made about 20 aloo parathas in my home kitchen with my uncle, the night before his wedding. He and I, at midnight, stepped into the kitchen to feed an army of baaratis. Saransh Goila: The house was divided. My dad believed I could do well in a hospitality course, but mom felt I wouldn't cope coming from a vegetarian home. She hoped I would take up biotechnology. But when I almost topped my class in the first year, her perspective shifted. A post shared by Saransh Goila (@saranshgoila) Saransh Goila: Winning the Food Food Maha Challenge in 2011, hosted by my idol Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and actor Madhuri Dixit Nene, was truly the turning point in my career. That victory brought me national recognition and opened doors to television, recipe development, and eventually, to launching Goila Butter Chicken. My guest appearance on MasterChef Australia — where contestants had to recreate my butter chicken — really took things to the next level. People now recognise me at airports as 'that butter chicken chef'. Saransh Goila: Full of gratitude. I've been at the right place and time, and always believed in destiny. We all have to work hard to achieve anything – money, success, fame, or just giving birth to an idea and seeing it unfold. I won't do anything differently in this journey; the lessons I've learned, the people I've met, and the common love for Indian cuisine that I've shared with people make me feel proud. Saransh Goila: Goila Butter Chicken was actually born out of demand, not personal preference. Although it wasn't my favourite dish initially, my unique, smoky, less creamy version became so popular at my pop-ups that I felt compelled to launch it as a brand. While there's plenty of debate about who invented butter chicken, I focus on its ability to unite people. For me, it's about delivering a version that resonates with people from all walks of life. Saransh Goila: I'm incredibly proud to share that Goila Butter Chicken is one of the first Indian food brands to launch at an English Premier League club. This June, we'll be debuting at Fulham Pier's Riverside Market, which is part of Fulham Football Club's iconic riverside stand at Craven Cottage, the oldest professional football stadium in London. For me, it's a milestone not just for our brand, but for Indian cuisine as a whole, bringing a cult-favorite dish from Mumbai to a global audience in such a vibrant, year-round destination for food, culture, and entertainment. As an avid soccer fan, this launch feels especially meaningful, and I see it as the perfect opportunity to celebrate community and make Indian food even more accessible and celebrated worldwide. Saransh Goila: At Fulham Pier, I wanted to ensure fans get the authentic Goila Butter Chicken experience, but with a twist that fits the match-day vibe. We're serving our signature smoky butter chicken in approachable formats like indulgent butter chicken burgers and all-in-one meal bowls, perfect for enjoying while cheering for Fulham FC. While the core flavours and recipes remain true to what we serve in India, these new formats are designed for convenience and to suit the atmosphere of a football stadium. It's about preserving the essence of our food while introducing innovative ways for fans to enjoy it during matches and events. Saransh Goila: Goila Butter Chicken started as a takeaway-only outlet in Mumbai. Due to losses, we almost shut down our brand during COVID-19 but sailed through somehow. Pre-pandemic, we had 10 kitchens; now, there are 100. Saransh Goila: I have always been a performer, and platforms keep changing or evolving. A decade back, I was called a TV chef; today, some call me a chefluencer or creator. I love mediums where I can communicate with people – print, social media, TV, or radio. I have a voice that I know resonates with so many, and I want to use it to spread the love of our food and community worldwide. Also, not to forget, being a creator in today's world enables you to launch your brands or businesses with your community first. Saransh Goila: I love sharing a variety of fusion and experimental recipes on my social media, many of which aren't served at my outlets. I share all the recipes from my restaurant digitally. For instance, anyone can make Goila Butter Chicken at home. I believe the more you share with the world, the pool of knowledge grows. I also learnt to make a classic butter chicken from my professor. So, recipes shouldn't be kept a secret, they're meant to share happiness. Saransh Goila: We have worked hard to elevate Indian cuisine globally, but there's still room for greater recognition on the world stage. Through international pop-ups and media appearances, I aim to showcase the complexity and diversity of Indian food. We have some incredible Indian chefs within India and outside who are making us proud everywhere. From Chef Vikas Khanna's Bungalow to Chef Prateek Sadhu's Naar, we have so much more to celebrate and spread. The next five years will see Indian food travelling worldwide in several formats, from QSRs to Michelin stars. There is a huge market for both. A post shared by Saransh Goila (@saranshgoila) Saransh Goila: I think I'm most proud of making a Sindhi Kadhi Ramen for my birthday this year – it was one of the most comforting meals I've had in a while. I can never forget that I added a lot of salt to my phirni instead of sugar on Women's Day while doing a demo for 40 women in the audience. I wanted to hide behind that stage when I realised what I had done. Saransh Goila: One of the most memorable moments in my career was when I had the chance to serve my Goila Butter Chicken to David Beckham. I gave him a dabba (a box) of my signature butter chicken to take on his flight back, and it was truly a dream come true. Sharing my version of this dish with someone of his stature was incredibly special. One person I really want to cook for, and with, is Shah Rukh Khan, the legend. His aura is unmatched, and yes, I have heard he loves to be in the kitchen.
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Wild scenes at Coles as Aussie trend explodes
A celebrity chef billed as 'India's answer to Gordon Ramsay' has caused chaos in Melbourne after fans turned out in droves for a glimpse of the famous cook. Sanjeev Kapoor is currently visiting Australia to launch Arth, his new range of 'authentic' Indian products that have just hit 440 Coles stores nationwide. For the uninitiated, Chef Kapoor is a household name who has amassed over 20 million followers across Facebook, YouTube, X and Instagram. He also hosts Asia's longest-running cooking show 'Khana Khazana' and has more than 200 best-selling cookbooks. To mark the arrival of his 15-food products on Aussie shelves, the celebrity chef attended the Tarneit Central store in the outer suburbs of the city on Wednesday – and was greeted by hundreds of excited fans. Footage obtained by shows the retailer swamped by Aussies hoping to snag a photo with Kapoor. Coles said the introduction of the new product line comes as India has surged ahead of China to become the largest source of new Australian citizens and now ranks as the second-largest overseas-born population in Australia. 'Our customers are telling us they want more variety, more global flavours and simpler ways to enjoy dinner at home – and that's exactly what we're focused on delivering with the Arth range,' Coles chief commercial officer, Anna Croft, told 'We know that the Global Cuisines segment is expected to grow significantly in Australia as more customers look for simple solutions to create authentic meals at home. 'And this is a trend we are also seeing with our customers, with the Asian and Indian segments two of the fastest growing categories in our grocery aisle.' Coles said that the range, which offers curry pastes, marinades, pickles and sauces, is an 'example of how we're listening and responding to our shoppers'. 'Partnering with Chef Kapoor has been the perfect way to deliver real Indian flavours to Aussie dinner tables,' Ms Croft added. 'These amazing products take the pressure off and give you that full-flavour hit without spending hours in the kitchen – no hard-to-find ingredients, no complicated steps.' Despite knowing Chef Kapoor's huge reach with consumers, the supermarket said it has been taken aback by how many shoppers have turned out to meet the star. 'We've been blown away with the demand for our Arth Authentic Indian range since hitting the shelves,' Coles Senior Manager Global Cuisines, Joel Wishart, told 'Sanjeev is a global sensation, and it was fantastic to see so many customers get to meet him at Coles during his visit. 'We're seeing more Aussies seeking food and recipes from around the globe and Sanjeev's new range offers an authentic taste of India that's easy to prepare and delicious – with products starting from $3.' Chef Kapoor said the range was designed to take the guesswork out of cooking and help more Australians fall in love with Indian food. 'I've spent my career showing people how authentic Indian food can be easy and enjoyable, and the Arth range is the next chapter of that journey here in Australia,' he said. 'This range really is for everyone – whether you've grown up with these flavours or want to try something new. You don't need special skills or fancy ingredients but just a love of good food.' The supermarket giant said 'standouts' from the range include the Mutter Paneer Paste (270g) – a North Indian favourite for $5.80, and the Tandoori Marinade (270g) perfect for chicken or lamb at $6.00, as well as the Masala Khichdi – a risotto-style blend of rice, lentils and warming Indian spices for just $3.00.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘PM Modi not a fussy eater, enjoys parathas and khichdi; open to trying international cuisine': Chef Sanjeev Kapoor recalls cooking for PM
Sanjeev Kapoor, widely regarded as one of India's leading chefs and a household name thanks to his iconic cooking show Khana Khazana directed by Hansal Mehta, has opened up about his experience cooking for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a new interview with Mashable India, Sanjeev Kapoor spoke about the special occasion when he prepared a meal for PM Modi during a visit to Abu Dhabi. Recalling the experience, he shared that he served the Prime Minister both his own cooked dishes and local specialities of the region. ' Sab unhone try kiya, saying kisi jagha ka culture pata karna ho toh khana se pata chalta hai' (He tried everything, saying 'if you want to understand a place's culture, you understand it through the food'). He also spoke about the Prime Minister's simple yet appreciative approach to food. 'Bohot simplicity hai unke khane mein (There's a lot of simplicity in his eating) but at the same time he has a lot of respect for food.' He fondly remembered PM Modi enjoying traditional Indian dishes alongside local foods like hummus and ful medames. 'Main unko phool madanas bata raha tha ki sir ye na aise hota hai.. iss mein ye thoda kata hua pyaaz, tamatar daal dete hai.. Toh unhone kaha ki ye toh apna baaji pav hogaya!' (I was explaining to him what phool medames is… we add some chopped onions, tomatoes… and he said, 'Oh, this is like our baaji pav!'), he recalled with a laugh. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO The chef highlighted that the Prime Minister maintains a pure vegetarian diet, favouring simple staples like khichdi, parathas, and thepla. 'He isn't fussy at all. He isn't like agar ye nahi mila toh mera din nahi hoga… he is very simple and believes in simplicity.' Shared post on Time Back in early 2018, Sanjeev Kapoor had been invited to cook for Prime Minister Modi during the UAE visit, upon the invitation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed. At the time, Kapoor had shared a series of photos of the dishes he prepared on Instagram, captioning it: 'Absolute honour & privilege to cook for our Hon. PM @narendramodi on invitation from Hon. Crown Prince of UAE. My respect for both these great leaders grows more & more.'
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sanjeev Kapoor reveals Vicky Kaushal would be ideal for his biopic: 'I spoke to 3-4 big stars...they were all excited'
Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor has expressed his desire for a biopic based on his life, revealing that he had considered Vicky Kaushal for the role long before the actor's widespread fame. Kapoor also mentioned discussing the biopic idea with unnamed big stars and previously suggesting Akshay Kumar as a potential lead. Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor shared his thoughts on the possibility of a biopic based on his life, revealing some interesting insights into his choice of actor to play him. Kapoor, who is a household name thanks to his popular show Khana Khazana and his numerous culinary achievements, discussed his preference for Vicky Kaushal , long before the actor gained widespread fame. Vicky Kaushal: A Surprising Pick Before Fame In conversation with Bani Anand on her podcast, Sanjeev recalled an earlier conversation with his batchmate Puneet Chatwal, the CEO of Taj Hotel, about the actor who would be a good fit to portray him in a biopic. Kapoor had seen Masaan, a film that left a lasting impact on him, and expressed his belief that Vicky Kaushal, who was not as famous at the time, would be a perfect choice. He added that he had already discussed the idea well before Kaushal rose to prominence in Bollywood. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo A Mysterious Biopic Project Kapoor also shared how he had approached a few big stars to discuss the idea of making his biopic, although he did not name the celebrities. Despite the initial discussions, Kapoor maintained a level of mystery about the project. Earlier, during a chat with Twinkle Khanna , Kapoor had been asked who he would choose to play him in his own biopic. Without hesitation, Kapoor had mentioned his long-time friend and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar as the ideal actor to bring his story to life. About Love And War Meanwhile, on the work front, Vicky Kaushal will next be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love And War'. The film also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in lead roles. The movie is reportedly set against a war backdrop, featuring a dramatic love triangle between two army officers. The film, currently being shot in Mumbai, is expected to release on March 20, 2026
News18
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sanjeev Kapoor To Vikas Khanna, Check Out The Net Worth Of India's Richest Chefs
Sanjeev Kapoor gained recognition primarily through his long-running cooking show, Khana Khazana. India is widely known for its diverse and rich culinary heritage. Our cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its strong flavours and aromatic foods, which range from creamy curries and naan in the North to acidic dosas and sambhar in the South. The majority of the credit goes to some of the world's most famous Indian celebrity chefs, who have played vital roles in spreading India's rich culinary legacy around the globe. These culinary legends have not only curated delectable dishes, but also have established their homegrown business ventures such as restaurants, cookbooks and TV cookery shows, that contribute to their financial portfolios. Here, we've mentioned a list of India's top 5 richest Chefs and their net worth. Take a look: Sanjeev Kapoor Star Chef Sanjeev Kapoor holds the first rank in the list of the richest Chefs in India. He gained recognition primarily through his long-running cooking show, Khana Khazana. Apart from that, he also appeared as the judge of MasterChef India. Beyond television, Kapoor's entrepreneurial spirit led to ventures like Wonderchef, a line of cookware and a restaurant chain, The Yellow Chilli. According to Moneymint, his amazing net worth is valued at Rs 1,165 crore. Vikas Khanna At number 2 is the Michelin-star Chef Vikas Khanna, well known for judging MasterChef India and Celebrity MasterChef. Besides television, he owns several restaurants, including Junoon in New York City and Bungalow also in New York City, as well as Kinara and Ellora in Dubai. According to Lifestyle Asia, Vikas Khanna's net worth ranges between Rs 84 and Rs 217 crore. Ranveer Brar Next on the list is the Celebrity MasterChef fame Ranveer Brar. Known for his charm and culinary expertise, he has been a part of several food shows and brand endorsements. He also made his debut as an actor with Hansal Mehta's thriller film The Buckingham Murders alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan. As per a report by DNA, he earns approximately Rs 45 lakh per month, with an estimated net worth of Rs 41 crore. Harpal Singh Sokhi Still remember the catchphrase 'Namak Shamak'? Yes, it is the signature song of Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi- India's fourth richest Chef. Best known for his successful cooking shows like Turban Tadka and Super Chef, he gained widespread recognition after his appearance in the cooking-based reality show Laughter Chefs India: Entertainment Unlimited. He also owns a restaurant chain, Karigari. As per Zee News, Harpal Singh Sokhi's net worth is estimated at around Rs 35 crore. Apart from them, Chefs like Kunal Kapoor and Garima Arora are also among the richest Chefs in India. First Published:
